When Oliwia Złydaszyk—lovingly known as Oliwka—was born on November 8, 2024, her parents envisioned the serene joy of bringing their newborn home, rocking her to sleep, and witnessing her daily growth. However, instead of soothing lullabies, their initial days were dominated by alarms, medical terminology, and the sounds of hospital equipment sustaining their daughter’s life.
“From the very beginning,” her parents softly express, “our little girl has had to fight for every breath, every heartbeat. We never imagined her childhood would commence in this manner.”
An Unexpected Journey Begins
Just two days post-birth, Oliwka was moved to a hospital in Kraków. What was meant to be the beginning of a beautiful life turned into a relentless series of procedures, tests, and sleepless nights. Her parents watched in despair as their baby’s delicate body underwent more medical interventions in weeks than most individuals experience in a lifetime.
Initially, doctors struggled to diagnose her condition. Oliwka was unable to digest food properly, leading to rapid weight loss. “Every feeding ended in tears—hers and ours,” her mother recalls. Tests soon identified a duodenal obstruction, a blockage in her small intestine that hindered food passage. Surgery became essential.
Following the operation, a moment of relief emerged: the obstruction was removed, and Oliwka could finally eat for the first time. “It felt like such a victory,” her father shares. “We celebrated that small success as if it were the greatest achievement in the world.”
Yet, their relief was fleeting.
A New Threat: The Battle to Breathe
As weeks went by, new symptoms arose. Oliwka began to have difficulty breathing. Her oxygen levels fell dangerously low, prompting doctors to conduct further tests. The results were heartbreaking: she had a rare genetic disorder that caused her airway to collapse—a condition known as flaccid airway or tracheomalacia.
Her tiny lungs struggled to intake sufficient air. Oxygen levels dropped drastically. She was intubated multiple times, each instance a desperate measure to keep her alive.
“There were moments when doctors informed us she might not survive the night,” her mother recalls, her voice trembling. “We sat by her bedside, holding her tiny hand, praying she would continue to fight.”
Eventually, the doctors delivered news no parent wishes to hear: the only way to save Oliwka’s life was through surgery to insert a tracheostomy tube, a small opening in her throat that would allow her to breathe.
The decision was agonizing—but it was the only option. “We knew we couldn’t lose her,” her father states. “So we agreed.”
Living with Tubes and Hope
Post-surgery, Oliwka could finally breathe more easily—but life became even more complex. Due to her condition, she can no longer eat normally. Doctors inserted a PEG tube (a feeding device directly into her stomach), meaning all her nourishment now comes through that small opening. “There’s no chance she’ll be able to eat on her own, at least for now,” her mother explains.
Their hospital stay has extended into months. Each day begins with medical routines: suctioning her tracheostomy, monitoring oxygen levels, managing her feeds through the PEG. Her parents have learned to handle it all—initially trembling hands, now steady, driven by love and necessity.
“We’re still in the hospital,” her mother states. “But we know the hardest part will come when we finally go home. Because then, it’ll all be on us.”
The Fight Beyond the Hospital Walls
Once Oliwka is stable enough to leave the hospital, she will require intensive rehabilitation and electrostimulation therapy to help strengthen her muscles and enhance her breathing. These treatments are crucial for her development—but they come at a significant cost. Her parents will need to pay for them privately, along with specialized medical equipment to ensure her safety at home.
As if that weren’t enough, doctors have identified yet another challenge: scoliosis. Her spine is beginning to curve abnormally, which could further impact her breathing. In the future, she will need orthopedic braces, ongoing treatment, and monitoring by various specialists—neurologists, speech therapists, audiologists, maxillofacial surgeons, otolaryngologists, orthopedists, and more.
“The list feels endless,” her father admits. “Sometimes we don’t know where to begin. But we can’t stop. She needs us. She needs everything we can provide.”
The Strength of a Family—and the Kindness of Strangers
Every day in the hospital tests the endurance of both Oliwka and her parents. They spend nights in chairs, days beside machines, waiting for small signs of progress: a steady breath, a peaceful sleep, a moment without alarms. “We celebrate every quiet minute,” her mother shares. “Silence means she’s stable. Silence means she’s safe.”
Yet, despite everything, they never cease to believe in their daughter’s strength. “She’s our warrior,” her father expresses with pride. “She’s already demonstrated more courage than most adults ever will.”
Now, as they prepare for life after the hospital, they face an even greater challenge: the financial reality of caring for a child with such complex needs. Rehabilitation, medical supplies, and travel to specialists quickly surpass what any family can manage.
That’s why they’re reaching out—for help, for hope, for a chance to provide their daughter with the life she deserves.
A Childhood Worth Fighting For
“We’re not asking for much,” her parents say. “Every bit of help—every prayer, every share, every donation—brings us closer to giving Oliwka a real childhood. A childhood not spent entirely in hospitals, but one where she can laugh, play, and breathe freely.”
Oliwka’s story is one of survival, love, and remarkable strength. She’s already shown that miracles can happen. Now, she needs our assistance to continue fighting—to keep breathing, growing, and living.
Because every child deserves the opportunity to live—not just to survive.
Please, help us give Oliwka a future filled with hope.
Your support means more than words—it means life.
