From the outset, Wojtuś’s life has been a fight for survival. Even before he made his entrance into the world, his journey was filled with fear, complications, and uncertainty.
The pregnancy was troubled from the beginning. There were warning signs, minor irregularities that concerned his mother, but the doctors reassured her — nothing appeared serious enough to indicate that her baby boy would be born unwell. She clung to that hope, dreaming of the day she would finally hold him close and whisper, “Welcome, my little one.”
But destiny had other plans.
At just 30 weeks, the pregnancy ended prematurely. The delivery room was filled with chaos — bright lights, swift movements, and the sound of machines replacing the lullabies every parent longs to hear. Wojtuś entered the world far too early, his body delicate, his tiny lungs struggling for air. His parents were not permitted to hold him. They couldn’t feel the warmth of his skin or witness his first genuine smile. Instead, they stood by helplessly as their newborn was connected to tubes and wires, his little chest rising and falling in sync with the ventilator.
Then came the words no parent is ever ready to hear.
Treacher Collins Syndrome.
A rare genetic disorder that impacts the development of bones and tissues in the face. It clarified everything — the breathing difficulties, the malformed features, the complications that had started even before birth. The diagnosis altered everything in an instant.
For four long months, Wojtuś and his mother resided within the cold confines of the hospital. The days merged into one another — the hum of monitors, the steady rhythm of medical equipment, the quiet prayers murmured in sterile hallways. But even after they were finally allowed to return home, the struggle was far from over.
Due to a cleft palate, choanal atresia (blockage of the nasal passages), and severe craniofacial malformations, Wojtuś breathes through a tracheostomy and depends on constant mechanical ventilation to survive. He cannot feed himself, relying instead on a PEG feeding tube inserted directly into his stomach.
His mother has taken on the roles of both nurse and protector, dedicating every moment to ensuring the equipment functions correctly, monitoring oxygen levels, and responding to alarms in the middle of the night. There are no peaceful evenings, no restful sleep — only vigilance, love, and hope.
Yet, the challenges do not stop there.
Wojtuś was born without external ears (auricles), and his ear canals are fused shut, rendering him unable to hear the world around him. In the future, he will require a bone conduction hearing device — a specialized implant that transmits sound vibrations through the skull directly to the inner ear. It’s his only opportunity to experience the sound of his parents’ voices — to hear them say “We love you.”
Imaging studies have also revealed another harsh reality: significant periventricular leukomalacia, a type of brain damage caused by a lack of oxygen during his early days. Consequently, Wojtuś suffers from epileptic seizures and must take antiepileptic medication daily.
He is also at high risk of developmental delays. Every movement, every sound, every attempt at interaction demands immense effort and specialized therapy.
Still, he perseveres.
Each morning, his parents notice a spark in his eyes — a sign that despite the pain and obstacles, Wojtuś desires to live, to grow, to reach for the world waiting beyond his hospital room. His parents hold onto that spark with all their might.
“We believe in him,” his mother states. “He’s already shown he’s stronger than we ever imagined. Now we must give him the chance to prove it.”
But hope alone isn’t sufficient.
The expenses for rehabilitation, therapy, medications, specialized medical equipment, and future surgeries are overwhelming. The family must also prepare their home to safely accommodate machines that support Wojtuś’s breathing and feeding — equipment that requires maintenance, spare parts, and constant supervision.
Public funding covers only a small portion of what’s necessary. Most of his care — including daily therapy, private rehabilitation, and specialist consultations — must be financed out of pocket. Each week brings another expense, another reminder that love alone cannot cover the bills.
Thus, his family is reaching out — humbly, with hearts filled with both gratitude and fear — seeking assistance.
Every donation, no matter how small, is a step toward providing Wojtuś the care that sustains him. It’s a way to ensure that the machines he relies on keep functioning, that he continues to receive therapy, that he has a chance — however fragile — to experience the life his parents envisioned for him.
Because behind every medical report and diagnosis, there’s a little boy who yearns to smile, to play, to breathe without discomfort. There’s a mother who still whispers “goodnight” to her son through the steady hum of hospital machines, praying that one day, he’ll whisper it back.
Wojtuś’s story is one of heartbreak — but also of hope. It’s a reminder that life, even when delicate, is worth every struggle.
If you can, please help Wojtuś continue his fight for life, for breath, for a future.
Because sometimes, the smallest hearts possess the greatest strength — and the greatest need for love.
