In January 2019, I gave birth to my son, Wiktor, at 37 weeks. What should have been a joyful moment—the first cries, the overwhelming love of holding my newborn—was immediately overshadowed by fear, nerves, and helplessness. The emotions of that day have stayed with us ever since, coloring every step of the long and difficult journey that Wiktor has faced.
Shortly after his birth, it became clear that something was terribly wrong. Wiktorek had a severe reproductive tract infection that led to cardiac arrest. The doctors gave him only a five percent chance of survival. In that instant, our lives were thrown into chaos, and the tiny life in my arms became the focus of our every thought. They called him “the little warrior,” and even in those early hours, his will to fight gave me strength to stay by his bedside, praying that he would hold on, that he would not give up.
Wiktor’s challenges began immediately and have continued relentlessly. He was diagnosed with sepsis, severe infections, and impaired innervation of the colon wall, which required surgery. He developed thrombosis of the right external iliac vein and proximal iliac vein. In addition, he struggles with atopic dermatitis, allergies, delayed psychomotor development, congenital pneumonia, secondary anemia, thrombophilia, and chronic respiratory problems. Each diagnosis represents a new battle, and each day requires vigilance and care. Simple tasks that other children take for granted—eating, sitting up, moving his arms and legs—are milestones for Wiktor.
His physical development has been slowed by high muscle tone, requiring ongoing rehabilitation. Speech is delayed, and swallowing is difficult, making every meal a challenge. Despite all of these obstacles, Wiktor’s spirit shines through. Every tiny achievement—a small smile, a movement of his fingers, a laugh—is a victory that reminds us of his resilience and determination to live. Yet even at three years old, he is completely dependent on the care of his parents and caregivers for the simplest functions.
The road ahead remains challenging. Soon, Wiktor will have his seventh admission to the gastroenterology ward at the Children’s Memorial Health Institute in Warsaw, where he will undergo his second stoma procedure. Each hospitalization is physically and emotionally draining for both him and our family. The procedures are necessary to manage his complex medical needs, but they also serve as a stark reminder of how fragile life can be and how much he relies on us for support.
Despite these challenges, Wiktor continues to inspire everyone around him. His courage, even in the face of overwhelming adversity, is remarkable. Every day, we fight alongside him—helping with rehabilitation, monitoring his health, advocating for his care, and celebrating even the smallest accomplishments. Each step forward is a triumph over the disease that has challenged his tiny body from the very beginning.
Yet Wiktor’s care is intensive and costly. Hospital stays, therapies, medications, surgeries, and constant monitoring require resources that go far beyond what a family can manage alone. That is why we are turning to the community for support. Every donation, no matter the size, helps provide Wiktor with the care, treatment, and therapy he needs. Each contribution brings him closer to progress, to milestones, and to the chance to experience life more fully.
Through it all, we remain hopeful. Wiktor is a fighter. He has faced more in his first years than many endure in a lifetime, yet he continues to show us his strength, his joy, and his will to survive. We fight for every step he takes, every word he attempts, every meal he swallows. Each day is an opportunity for growth and healing.
Please support Wiktor, a brave little boy who deserves every chance to thrive. Your help provides the medical care, rehabilitation, and hope he needs to continue this fight. Together, we can give him the chance to grow, play, and live a life as full and joyful as any child deserves.
— Wiktor’s mother