COUNTYWIDE : For Teen-Ager, It Is a Celebration of Life

When 16-year-old Artiom Saribekian walked into a surprise party for him at Kaiser Permanente Hospital-Orange County in Anaheim on Wednesday, it was a triumphant step in a journey that had begun with a chance meeting in Armenia after the 1988 earthquake there.

Artiom entered the hospital in April suffering from hydrocephalus, a condition that causes fluid to accumulate in the skull.

“When he came in, he was almost immobile,” said Donna Donan, Kaiser public affairs director for Orange County.

Wednesday, two days after he underwent two operations by neurosurgeon Dr. William So, Artiom was standing tall.

The boy’s trip to Orange County and his operations were the result of efforts by building contractor Hauret (Harry) Aslanian, 67, an Armenian-American from Glendale who had gone to Armenia on an humanitarian mission last September. While Aslanian was there, he met an uncle of Artiom.

It happened that Aslanian’s daughter, Seta Khatjadourian, 41, had died of a brain disease caused by a virus.

After it appeared that the Soviets would not be able to save the boy, Aslanian decided to help.

Kaiser doctors discovered in April that Artiom’s condition was caused by a tumor in the pineal area and a cyst on the upper spine.

“He was condemned before he stepped into Kaiser,” Aslanian said. “Now he has regained his walking ability, his eyes got straightened out, he’s full of energy. He’s way ahead on his schedule of rehabilitation due to his own efforts.”

Physical therapist Diane Lane says she has seen changes take place “overnight” that usually take a week. Artiom walked unassisted from his room to the party in the basement-floor library.

“Does he know what this is all about?” Donan asked as Artiom, who does not speak English, smiled at the crowd gathered to celebrate his recovery. Hospital staff member Shagik Kazarian, an Armenian who has lived in the United States for 12 years, quickly translated the question to the boy, whose answer was no. But Artiom’s smile became brighter as he realized that it was all about him.

The Armenian Relief Society has set up a fund for donations in the boy’s name so that he can continue to receive therapy after he returns to Armenia. Anyone wishing to make donations may contact Sona Zinzalian at (818) 500-1343.