For Alessandro Stridi and his family, this moment feels almost unreal. After years of fear, uncertainty, and relentless medical battles, hope has finally taken the lead. Thanks to the generosity and compassion of countless people, little Alessandro is now preparing for a life-changing surgery that could allow him to live the childhood he has never truly known. In just a few weeks, he will travel to Spain, where doctors will attempt a delicate procedure that may finally let him see the world with open, unhindered eyes. For his parents, Monika and Attilio, it is the realization of a dream they once barely dared to imagine.
Alessandro’s story began with shock and disbelief. The pregnancy had gone perfectly, with no warning signs and no reason to expect anything other than a healthy child. Yet during the first three weeks of his life, something felt terribly wrong. Alessandro did not open his eyes even once. What should have been quiet, joyful newborn days turned into mounting anxiety, endless examinations, and unanswered questions. When the diagnosis finally came, it changed everything. Doctors discovered a rare de novo mutation in the TRAF7 gene, a condition associated with heart defects, facial anomalies, and developmental delays. From that moment, Alessandro’s life became a series of battles no child should ever have to fight.
Despite his fragile beginning, Alessandro showed extraordinary strength from the very start. In August 2020, while still very young, he underwent successful heart surgery. His tiny body endured the strain, the recovery, and the pain with remarkable resilience. Just over a year later, in September 2021, he faced another major operation — reconstruction of his skull. The surgery was necessary to increase the volume of his head and allow his brain to grow properly. Watching their child endure such pain was heartbreaking for his parents. He should have been playing, laughing, and discovering the world, not quietly crying through postoperative discomfort. And yet, Alessandro endured it all with quiet bravery.
The surgeries were only part of his struggle. Alessandro was also diagnosed with facial dysmorphia, including narrow palpebral fissures, drooping eyelids, epicanthal folds, and low muscle tone. These conditions affected not only his appearance, but his ability to move, balance, and interact with the world. Sitting, crawling, and walking required months of intensive rehabilitation. Every day, Alessandro trained like a marathon runner, pushing his body far beyond what anyone expected of a child his age. Slowly, painfully, he learned to sit. Then he learned to crawl. Eventually, he learned to walk — each milestone hard-won and deeply celebrated.
Yet his vision remained one of the greatest obstacles. Because his eyelids cover part of his pupils, Alessandro must constantly tilt his head backward just to see. Over time, this unnatural posture has begun to affect his neck, spine, coordination, and overall posture. He also struggles with amblyopia, reduced peripheral vision, and a worsening visual defect. The world around him appears fragmented and incomplete. Beyond the physical limitations lies a quieter, deeper pain: Alessandro is painfully aware that he cannot look his peers directly in the eyes. He hears the questions, notices the glances, and still answers with a courage far beyond his years. Despite everything, he remains cheerful, sociable, and full of life.
Doctors have made it clear that Alessandro urgently needs eyelid lift surgery combined with removal of the epicanthal folds. This procedure must be performed with extreme precision, as even the smallest error could affect his vision permanently. Determined to find the best possible care, his parents searched far beyond their home country. Their search led them to Spain, where an experienced oculoplastic surgeon uses an innovative technique known as the frontal flap method. This surgery offers Alessandro the best chance to significantly improve his vision, posture, coordination, and confidence — and, ultimately, his quality of life.
The cost of the surgery, approximately €15,000, was devastating for the family. It was far beyond what they could afford on their own. Once again, Alessandro’s parents were forced to ask for help — not for themselves, but for their son’s future. And once again, people responded with extraordinary kindness. Donations, messages of support, and shared hope came together to make what once seemed impossible suddenly achievable.
Today, the surgery is scheduled for June. The countdown has begun. All that remains now is waiting, hope, and prayer. Alessandro’s parents keep their fingers crossed that the operation will be successful and that their son will finally be able to experience the world without constant strain and limitation. This surgery is not about appearance. It is about safety, independence, dignity, and the simple joy of seeing clearly.
Alessandro has already endured more than many adults ever will, and yet he continues to smile, to try, and to move forward. His journey is a powerful reminder of how fragile life can be — and how strong it can become when compassion steps in. Together, people proved that kindness has real power. Because of that kindness, Alessandro is now just one surgery away from opening his eyes fully and beginning the childhood he has always deserved.
A Fight for Life: Baby Iga’s Journey Through Heart Surgery and Hope.3614
For Iga Jędrajczyk’s parents, the birth of their daughter was meant to be a time of joy and new beginnings. But from the very first moments of her life, it became clear that their little girl’s journey would be filled with challenges no parent could prepare for. Born with a congenital heart defect, Iga entered the world fighting for every breath. Her parents, already familiar with the joy and worry of raising an older daughter, were immediately thrust into a reality of uncertainty, fear, and relentless medical intervention.
“I remember the moment we first heard the news,” her mother recounted. “We didn’t hear a cry; we heard, ‘She’s not breathing, we have to resuscitate her!’” Iga had to be revived immediately and was whisked away into the neonatal intensive care unit. For weeks, her parents could only support her through the glass of the incubator, watching as doctors worked tirelessly to stabilize her tiny body.
Early tests revealed that Iga had both a ventricular and atrial septal defect — holes in her heart that prevented normal blood flow. On top of this, she was diagnosed with a congenital nasal defect, requiring two separate surgeries in her first months of life. During this time, she was unable to be held, and her parents lived in a constant state of worry. The emotional strain was compounded by separation from their older daughter, who had to adjust quickly to life without her baby sister at home.
By the end of April, after two and a half months in hospital, Iga was finally able to return home. Yet the challenges were far from over. Further complications emerged: her pulmonary arteries were dangerously narrow, measuring just 2 millimeters. The family knew that open-heart surgery would be urgently required — a second cardiac procedure in her very short life. On September 7, as the operating room doors closed, Iga’s parents were left in the hallway, helpless and praying, their minds racing with fear and hope.
The surgery lasted hours. When doctors emerged around 2:00 PM, they brought the news every parent desperately wishes to hear: the artery had been successfully repaired, and stents were inserted to prevent further narrowing. Relief washed over her parents, but they knew the journey of recovery had only just begun. Iga was home soon after, beginning the slow process of regaining strength, building mobility, and catching up to her peers. Daily medications, regular checkups, and extensive rehabilitation now mark the rhythm of her family’s life.
Amidst these medical challenges, the family is also pursuing a diagnosis for a suspected genetic condition known as CHARGE syndrome. Specialists have observed signs, including the heart defect, fused nostrils, and cupped ears, but confirmation requires an expensive WES genetic test that is not reimbursed by insurance. The uncertainty adds to the emotional and financial strain the family faces, as they strive to provide Iga with every opportunity to grow and thrive.
Despite the hardships, Iga’s spirit continues to inspire. Her parents describe her as a fighter, smiling through pain and showing resilience beyond her age. “She has been through so much pain and suffering, yet she still smiles and gives us strength,” her mother shared. Every small victory — a smile, a stretch of mobility, a moment of normalcy — is celebrated as a triumph against overwhelming odds.
The family is now appealing to the community for support. The costs of surgery, post-operative rehabilitation, medication, and genetic testing are staggering, and every contribution makes a tangible difference. Donations, small or large, and even a portion of one’s tax contribution, can help ensure that Iga receives the care she desperately needs. “We are asking for your help to save our little one,” her parents wrote. “Every zloty, every donation, is incredibly valuable to us.”
Iga’s story is a testament to the strength of a child, the resilience of parents, and the critical role of community support in life-threatening situations. From her first breath to her second surgery, she has faced challenges that would overwhelm many adults, yet she continues to fight with courage and determination. Her family’s unwavering love, combined with expert medical care, provides a foundation of hope for a future where she can grow, play, and thrive alongside her older sister.
In a world where medical emergencies can turn life upside down in an instant, Iga’s journey reminds us of the fragility and preciousness of life, and the extraordinary impact that compassion, support, and perseverance can have. For her parents, every day is a step forward, every smile is a victory, and every moment spent together is a blessing.
Iga’s fight is not over, but with continued care and community support, there is hope that she will recover fully, reclaim her childhood, and continue to bring joy to those who love her. Her story is one of courage, resilience, and the boundless power of hope in the face of unimaginable challenges.
