Our son, Franek, didn’t recognize his home until two months after his birth. Those two months were not spent in the comfort of our arms or in the warmth of our home, but in the hospital, fighting for his life. Born with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, and later diagnosed with Arnold-Chiari Syndrome, Franek’s entry into the world was met with immediate challenges. His journey from birth to where we are now has been filled with heartbreak, but also immense courage, resilience, and the overwhelming love of our family.

Franek’s story began on a difficult note, with his birth leading straight into a world of medical procedures and intensive care. We were overjoyed to bring him into the world, but soon, we learned that our little boy was fighting battles from the moment he was born. For the first two months, Franek was in the hospital, unable to come home with us. During those weeks, he not only faced the complex challenges of his birth defects but also battled pneumonia, meningitis, and several other life-threatening infections. Those days were filled with fear and uncertainty, and our hearts broke every time we saw our son struggle, helpless and connected to so many machines.

We had hoped that after those terrifying first months, Franek could come home and begin his life with us. But even after the immediate danger passed, our journey didn’t get any easier. Franek’s condition meant that he would need constant care and attention, and the path ahead remained uncertain. While the doctors did everything they could to stabilize him, we were confronted with the hard truth that Franek’s life would be an ongoing battle.

By the time Franek reached six weeks old, things took another turn for the worse. He became lethargic, constantly sleepy, and would even fall asleep while feeding. It was a sign that something was terribly wrong, and once again, we rushed him to the hospital, where we learned that his condition had worsened. Tests revealed that Franek was suffering from circulatory failure, shortness of breath, and an inability to gain weight properly. This heartbreaking news meant that Franek would need emergency surgery to give him a chance at survival.

The surgery, which was critical to keeping his heart functioning, was a success, but those moments in the hospital were some of the hardest of our lives. Watching Franek, so small and fragile, hooked up to machines, unconscious, and unable to fight for himself, felt unbearable. But even in those darkest moments, we held on to hope. We knew that as long as Franek was fighting, we would fight for him too.

Despite the initial success of the surgery, Franek’s road to recovery has been anything but smooth. He still requires constant medical attention, and there are many days when it feels like progress is slow, if not nonexistent. Franek, now several months old, hasn’t reached the milestones that other children his age have. He is unable to speak, sit up on his own, or do many of the things that should come naturally. The latest MRI scans have shown that Franek may never walk, a reality that we must face as his parents.

But we are not giving up on him. Franek is our treasure, and even though our hearts ache at the thought of the struggles he faces, we know that he is capable of more than we can imagine. Our fight is far from over, and we will do everything we can to help him reach his fullest potential.

Every day, we work tirelessly with Franek, doing everything we can to help him regain even the smallest abilities. Through exercises and rehabilitation, we are hopeful that Franek will one day be able to sit up on his own, stand, and, perhaps, become a little more independent. It’s a long road ahead, and the journey is filled with setbacks, but we remain steadfast in our belief that Franek can achieve something incredible, given the right care and support.

As parents, it’s hard to accept that our son is facing so many difficulties, especially when we would do anything to give him the life he deserves. We wish we could trade places with him, to take away his suffering, and help him live the life we’ve always dreamed for him. But that’s not possible. What we can do is give him all the love, care, and support he needs, and that’s what we’ve been doing since the moment he was born.

Despite the daily challenges, we are not discouraged. Franek’s spirit and strength inspire us every day. We know that he has a long road ahead of him, and there’s still so much uncertainty about his future, but we won’t stop fighting for him. We will continue to work with doctors, therapists, and specialists to ensure that Franek has every opportunity to thrive.

But we need your help. The cost of Franek’s treatment, rehabilitation, and ongoing medical care is overwhelming. As his parents, we are doing everything we can, but the financial burden is enormous. We are reaching out to you for support. Every donation, no matter how small, will go directly toward Franek’s continued treatment and rehabilitation. Your generosity will help us provide him with the best care possible and give him the chance to live the fullest life he can.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for your kindness, generosity, and support. Franek’s journey is not one we can navigate alone, and with your help, we can give him the chance he deserves to live a happy, independent life. Thank you for standing with us and our brave son as we continue this fight for his health and future.

Franciszek Sztreja, father of Franek