When little Wojtuś Kowalski entered the world, everything appeared to be perfect. He was a healthy, full-term baby, and his strong, determined cries filled his parents with joy. They brought him home, their hearts brimming with happiness, believing their family was complete.
However, just a week later, their world turned upside down.
It was his father who first noticed something amiss with Wojtuś’s eye. It appeared cloudy and unfocused. Concerned but not yet alarmed, they visited the pediatrician, who, with a cautious demeanor, referred them to a specialist at the Children’s Health Center for a thorough eye examination. They assumed it would be a routine check-up, perhaps just an infection that could be easily treated.
They were mistaken.
Instead of returning home, they were admitted directly to the hospital. The doctors wore serious expressions, and their words were filled with uncertainty. There was a significant issue with Wojtuś’s eye, but no one could yet determine the severity or whether their tiny baby could see at all.
For any parent, such news is a nightmare. For Wojtuś’s parents, it marked the beginning of a harrowing journey.
Shortly after, the diagnosis arrived: congenital cataract — a severe condition that had developed while he was still in the womb. The damage was extensive, and without immediate surgery, he risked permanent vision loss. He was not even a month old.
On the day of the surgery, time seemed to stand still. Hours dragged on as his parents waited anxiously outside the operating room. Finally, the doctor emerged, visibly exhausted. The surgery had been extremely difficult and unusually lengthy. They had successfully removed the cataract, but the eye had undergone severe developmental changes. It would take time — and possibly more surgeries — to determine if their baby would ever truly see.
When they finally saw him, small and fragile among wires and monitors, their hearts shattered. A child so young shouldn’t have to face such monumental battles.
After three long weeks in the hospital, they were finally allowed to return home. But their peace was short-lived. The aftermath of the surgery brought new challenges — metabolic and hormonal complications — and soon they found themselves back in the hospital. By the time Wojtuś reached just a few months old, he had already spent more than half his life in hospital beds.
Today, Wojtuś continues to grapple with the repercussions of his condition. He is missing the natural lens in his eye, making daily life challenging. He requires constant medical supervision and specialized rehabilitation to aid in the proper development of his vision. His parents travel between clinics and therapy sessions, doing everything they can to provide him with a chance at a normal life.
However, the financial burden is overwhelming.
Rehabilitation must be conducted privately, as the public health system offers only limited assistance. Wojtuś wears glasses, but being so small, he often pulls them off — uncomfortable and confused, unaware that they are his only connection to the world. That’s why his parents are now planning to purchase special contact lenses, which will help him see better and feel more comfortable. However, due to the rapid growth of a child’s eyes, these lenses need to be replaced every 2–3 months, leading to another ongoing expense.
And this is just the beginning.
In the future, doctors may attempt to implant a permanent lens, a delicate procedure that could greatly enhance his quality of life — but it comes with a high cost, far beyond what his family can manage. With continuous medical appointments, rehabilitation, equipment, and travel, each month brings new bills and fresh fears.
Yet, through every setback, one thing has remained constant — his parents’ unwavering determination.
“We just want to give our son the best start in life,” his mother expresses. “He’s already faced more than most adults. We’ll do anything to help him see the world clearly — the way every child deserves to.”
Wojtuś’s days are filled with small victories — reaching for his toy, following a ray of light, recognizing a familiar voice. To his parents, each of these moments feels miraculous. Every flicker of progress is a testament that their fight — and his — is worthwhile.
But they cannot do it alone.
They need assistance to continue his rehabilitation, to purchase the necessary lenses and equipment, and to prepare for the future surgeries that will determine how much of the world Wojtuś will be able to see.
No parent should have to choose between their child’s health and their financial stability. No child should have to struggle in darkness when there’s still a chance for light.
That’s why Wojtuś’s family is reaching out — to compassionate individuals, to those who believe that kindness can transform a life.
Every contribution, no matter how small, is a step toward a brighter future — one where Wojtuś can run, play, and gaze up at the sky with clear, curious eyes.
Because every child deserves to see the world —
and with your help, Wojtuś will.
