Four-year-old Jakub “Kubuś” Serwin was a joyful, lively child, brimming with laughter, mischief, and the boundless curiosity that characterizes childhood. However, in a matter of weeks, his world came crashing down. Today, he is in the intensive care unit in Prokocim, battling for his life and future after losing both legs to necrosis caused by massive thrombosis.
What started as a routine ear infection has turned into a nightmare for his family.
A Sudden Descent into Tragedy
It began innocently enough—a typical ear infection that many children experience. Jakub was given medication, and while his parents were concerned, they believed he would recover. Instead, they watched in horror as their son’s health declined.
“He started fainting and vomiting,” his mother recalls. “We rushed him to the hospital—something deep down told us this wasn’t just a simple infection.”
Doctors at the pediatric ward in Wadowice examined him, treated him, and after three days, sent him home. For a fleeting moment, the family dared to hope for improvement. But that hope was short-lived.
Within days, Jakub’s condition worsened significantly. He became delirious and began having seizures. His frightened parents took him back to the hospital, where doctors delivered the first piece of devastating news—they suspected a brain abscess. But that was just the beginning.
A Fight for His Life
Everything unfolded rapidly. Kuba was moved to the intensive care unit, where a team of specialists worked tirelessly to save him. The diagnosis was shocking: massive intracranial venous thrombosis, embolism, and arterial thrombosis in both legs.
“We didn’t understand what was happening,” his father says. “He’d always been healthy, always smiling… and suddenly, we were told he might not survive the night.”
For weeks, doctors fought valiantly against the clots, swelling, and advancing necrosis. Kuba’s small body endured unimaginable suffering, connected to numerous machines and IV lines. His parents remained by his side, praying for a miracle.
Then came the words no parent should ever hear.
“The doctors told us his legs could no longer be saved,” his mother whispers. “If they didn’t amputate, we’d lose him entirely.”
The decision was made instantly. There was no time to ponder, no time to mourn—only the desperate need to save his life.
A Little Warrior
The surgery was lengthy and agonizing—for both Kuba and his parents waiting anxiously outside. When it concluded, the doctors emerged with cautious relief: he had survived. But survival came at a heartbreaking price.
Jakub lost both of his lower limbs.
“We were shattered,” his father admits. “But then we saw him smile—that same bright, brave smile. And we knew we had to be strong, for him.”
Kuba’s condition remains serious but stable. He has started rehabilitation, and despite all he has faced, his resilience shines through. Nurses report that he is already learning to use his upper body again. Sometimes, he jokes with them. Other times, he gazes at the ceiling, lost in thought—but when his parents enter, he still smiles.
That smile has become his family’s lifeline—a reminder that, despite the challenges, hope persists.
The Journey Ahead
Life will never be the same for the Serwin family. When Kuba finally returns home, it won’t be the same place he left. Everything will need to be modified—ramps, accessible bathrooms, specialized furniture, and medical equipment. He will also require custom prosthetics, long-term rehabilitation, and psychological support to help him adjust to his new reality.
“He’ll have to learn everything from scratch—how to move, how to walk, how to live again,” his mother says through tears.
And all of this comes with a significant financial burden.
The family has already depleted their savings during months of hospital stays, travel, and treatment. Now, they face a new challenge—a financial one—to secure Kuba’s rehabilitation and future.
“We can’t do it alone,” his parents plead. “Please, help us give our son a chance at a normal life.”
A Call for Compassion
Jakub is just four years old—a child who should be playing with toy cars, not fighting for his life. His bravery is remarkable, but he needs more than just strength. He needs help.
Every donation will contribute to his ongoing treatment, rehabilitation, prosthetics, and the home modifications necessary for him to live with dignity and independence.
“Our greatest dream,” his father says, “is to see him run again—even if it’s on prosthetic legs. To see him laugh without pain. To give him back the childhood he deserves.”
💛 Please help Jakub get back on his feet—both literally and figuratively.
Because behind every scar is a story of survival. And behind every survivor, there’s a community that refused to give up.
