Oliwka’s journey began with extraordinary challenges. Born with severe birth asphyxia, she received a mere 2 on the Apgar scale, a devastating start for any parent. From her very first days, she was immersed in a world filled with hospitals, specialists, and countless therapy sessions. We understood from the moment she entered the world that her path would be arduous, but nothing could have prepared us for the trials that awaited.
The initial five months of Oliwka’s life appeared relatively calm. We consulted with doctors, engaged in rehabilitation, and while our concerns lingered, we clung to hope. However, everything shifted one weekend in May. Oliwka experienced her first seizures—violent, exhausting episodes that seemed to drain our beloved daughter of her former vitality. We watched helplessly as she ceased to smile, stopped moving her eyes, and even halted her babbling. Every skill she had acquired in her brief life faded before our eyes.
In a state of panic, we rushed her to the University Clinical Center in Gdańsk, where a dedicated team of specialists worked relentlessly to halt the seizures that threatened her life. Despite their best efforts, the seizures persisted, often occurring dozens of times daily. We were engulfed by fear, uncertain of what the future held for our little girl.
Soon after, we received the heartbreaking diagnosis: Oliwka has 1p36 deletion syndrome, a rare and incurable genetic disorder. This diagnosis had a profound impact. Along with the syndrome came a host of other life-altering conditions: a heart defect, a spinal defect, kidney stones, a neurogenic bladder, epilepsy, vision impairment, and hearing impairment. Our daughter’s body was laden with numerous challenges, and the future we had envisioned seemed to drift further away.
Oliwka is unable to walk, talk, or eat independently. She relies on a PEG tube for all her feedings and hydration. As if that weren’t enough, the syndrome leads to significant intellectual and motor disabilities. Doctors informed us that Oliwka may never speak again, and while we hoped against hope that they were mistaken, we understood deep down that her life would be vastly different from what we had envisioned. The weight of this diagnosis left us devastated, but even in the face of such overwhelming adversity, we refuse to abandon her.
There is no cure for Oliwka, but we fight every single day to ensure she remains as healthy and comfortable as possible. Her life consists of therapies, rehabilitation sessions, medications, and medical equipment—each vital for her survival and progress. The estimated cost of her care is around 30,000 złoty annually, a sum we have struggled to manage over the past four years. While we have covered most of her essential therapies and equipment ourselves, we have reached a point where we can no longer do so alone.
That is why we are seeking assistance. With your support, Oliwka can continue her battle against this cruel condition. Your contributions will enable us to provide her with the therapies, equipment, and medications necessary for her survival and to enhance her quality of life. Knowing that we can continue her care without the constant worry of how to finance it will grant us peace of mind and allow us to focus on what truly matters—her health and well-being.
Oliwka is an extraordinary fighter, and each day she demonstrates her incredible strength. She deserves every opportunity to flourish, and with your help, we can continue to provide her with the life she deserves—a life filled with as much joy, comfort, and love as possible.
Thank you for being part of this journey with us, for supporting our daughter, and for giving Oliwka the chance to keep fighting. Every donation, every kind word, every act of generosity brings us closer to a brighter future for her. Together, we can help Oliwka defy the odds and live the life she deserves.
