Beckett’s Summer Changed Forever: A Mother’s Plea for Healing, Safety, and Hope. Hyn
I am the mom of Beckett — an intelligent, creative 11-year-old fifth grader who loves art, cherishes his friendships, and is endlessly fascinated by outer space. He can talk for hours about planets, rockets, and galaxies far beyond our reach. Beckett dreams of working for NASA one day as an aerospace engineer, building the machines that will take humanity farther into the universe. He is curious, kind, and full of promise — a child exactly where he was meant to be: in a classroom, learning and growing.
That is where everything changed.
Beckett was sitting quietly in his classroom, minding his own business, when a sudden act of violence erupted around him. Another student, consumed by rage, began overturning desks and tables. In the chaos, a full metal water bottle was thrown with terrifying force. My son was never the target — he was simply in the wrong place at the wrong time, caught in the crossfire of a senseless act. That single moment shattered his skull and shattered our sense of safety forever.
Beckett suffered a traumatic brain injury that no child should ever endure. He sustained multiple skull fractures, two separate brain bleeds, and extensive bruising to his brain. He was rushed across the state for emergency brain surgery, where doctors fought to save his life. Surgeons worked to stop the bleeding, repair damaged tissue, and rebuild his skull using metal plates. They also attempted to repair facial muscle damage caused by the impact. What should have been an ordinary school day turned into a life-altering medical crisis.
Since that moment, the intensive care unit has become Beckett’s second home. He lives with a PICC line, five IVs delivering various medications, and round-the-clock pain and seizure control. Machines hum and alarms beep through the night as nurses monitor his every breath. This sterile, overwhelming environment is not a place any child should know so intimately, yet Beckett faces it with courage that leaves me in awe.
Before this injury, Beckett was counting down the days to graduating from fifth grade. He was excited for summer — for swimming in the backyard pool, splashing at the waterpark, and riding rollercoasters at Legoland. Those simple joys, so normal for a child his age, were taken from him in an instant. Instead of planning adventures, Beckett now attends physical therapy and mental health therapy, follows strict medication schedules, and struggles with fatigue that makes even being awake feel like hard work.
This summer will not be spent running in the sun. It will be spent healing. Beckett will not be able to enjoy outdoor activities the way he once dreamed, but I want him to still experience happiness and comfort through safe indoor activities, creative projects, and moments that allow him to feel like a kid again. That is why I am reaching out for help.
The financial burden of this journey is overwhelming. Hospital stays far from home mean extended hotel expenses. Medical bills continue to grow, alongside therapy appointments, recovery care, and specialized treatments that insurance does not fully cover. Any funds raised will help with lodging near the hospital, medical and recovery costs, and meaningful indoor activities that can bring Beckett joy during a summer defined by limitations.
My son is a warrior. The side of his head will forever be dented. He will always have a scar running halfway around his head. A titanium plate and screws now protect his bruised brain — permanent reminders of a trauma that never should have happened. While Beckett is healing, there are medical setbacks that may become permanent as time goes on. Emotionally, our family faces daily challenges as we navigate fear, uncertainty, and the long road ahead.
No child should have to carry this burden. No parent should have to question whether their child is safe in a classroom.
Beckett deserved a safe, welcoming place to learn and dream. What happened to him should never happen to another child. By sharing our story, I hope to raise awareness about school safety, accountability, and the lasting impact of violence on innocent lives.
Please continue to think of our family. Please share Beckett’s story and help raise awareness. Any support — whether financial or simply spreading the word — means more than words can express. Beckett is healing. He is fighting every day. And with love, community, and continued care, we believe his future can still be filled with hope, purpose, and the stars he has always dreamed of reaching.
Help Amelka: A Young Girl’s Journey to a Brighter Future.3131
Amelka is our precious daughter — a bright, cheerful, and intelligent little girl who has faced challenges most children could never imagine. From the very first days of her life, Amelka’s journey has been defined by medical intervention, courage, and the unwavering love of her parents. Born without a left eyeball, as confirmed by doctors in Chorzów, Poland, she has endured years of surgeries, treatments, and adjustments in her fight to live a normal, happy life.
From the earliest days, Amelka was under the care of specialists in Chorzów. She underwent nine surgeries, a combination of eye socket expanders and eyelid reconstruction to ensure her face developed correctly. Alongside these procedures, she received a prosthetic eye crafted by a local prosthetist. The goal of these treatments was not only cosmetic; they were essential to prevent permanent facial deformities and to help her grow confidently. Despite these efforts, however, her condition did not improve as hoped. Instead, each surgery seemed to bring new complications and additional challenges.
In December 2018, Amelka underwent her last surgery in Chorzów. Yet soon after, we noticed the beginning of scarring in her eye socket, a complication requiring injections under anesthesia to slow the process. It became painfully clear that she needed specialized care beyond what we could access locally. After careful research, we found hope in Germany. In March 2019, we met with Professor Michael P. Schittkowski, a specialist in orbital treatment, and prosthetist Nikolai Weiss. For the first time in years, we felt we were in capable hands, with a treatment plan tailored to Amelka’s unique needs.
Amelka’s journey in Germany began immediately. She traveled every four weeks to Kassel for adjustments with her conformer, a medical device used to stretch the eye socket gradually from the inside and outside. Millimeter by millimeter, progress was made. In August 2020, she underwent plastic surgery to reconstruct her eyelid and reduce the orbital angle, a delicate procedure that required precision and expertise. Yet complications persisted. The conformer began to fall out, and in September, we had to make multiple trips back to Germany for new adjustments. The specialist determined that Amelka would require one final surgery — a fat tissue transplant from her thigh to the eye orbit — to complete her treatment and ensure lasting results.
This final surgery is scheduled for April 20, 2021. The procedure comes with a steep cost of €8,400, an amount beyond our family’s financial capabilities. It is crucial for Amelka that this surgery occurs on schedule. Her first grade year is beginning in September, and we want her to face her new school with confidence, independence, and as few challenges as possible. Without this surgery, her mobility, appearance, and social adaptation could be compromised, affecting her growth and self-esteem.
Amelka is more than her medical condition. Despite her blindness in one eye, she is an intelligent, lively, and spirited girl. She keeps pace with her peers, loves learning, and maintains a joyful outlook on life. She even calls herself a pirate, embracing her uniqueness with courage and imagination. Her resilience is extraordinary, and her spirit inspires everyone who meets her.
We, as her parents, are asking for help to give Amelka the final chance she deserves — a surgery that will complete her long treatment and allow her to move forward with confidence and health. Donations will directly cover the cost of the procedure in Germany, as well as travel and accommodations needed for her specialized care. Every contribution, no matter the size, brings us closer to giving Amelka a future free from the medical obstacles that have shaped her early years.
Amelka’s story is one of hope, courage, and the unwavering bond between a child and her family. It is a journey that has demanded patience, strength, and sacrifice, yet it is far from over. By supporting her now, we can help her face the next chapter with optimism, health, and the chance to thrive in school, with friends, and in life.
Please join us in helping Amelka. With your support, kindness, and generosity, we can ensure that this brave little girl receives the care she needs, the surgery she deserves, and the opportunity to live fully and confidently as she begins her first grade year.
On behalf of ourselves and our daughter, we thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Every donation, every share, and every prayer brings hope to Amelka’s life and helps secure the bright future she so rightly deserves.
