100-mile challenge to help Maciej

Seven years ago, new parents were blessed with the birth of their son Maciej, who sadly was to be born in tragic circumstances. He was born during the 25th week of pregnancy, 15 weeks ahead of schedule. He weighed an astonishing 700 grams! He was born with severe perinal hypoxia (an important cause of brain injury in newborns that can result in long-term devastating consequences) Doctors gave him a 1% chance of survival. Straight after his birth by caesarean he was taken to the hospital paediatric intensive care unit. Every day the hope for his survival lessoned with weight loss, intraventricular haemorrhage, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, anaemia, and retinopathy. This little guy spent 3.5 months under a respiratory machine…

After a few months, much to the amazement of doctors Maciej was sent home from the hospital, this unfortunately came with a warning that the hard work was about to start. Daily rehabilitation, weekly visits to Neurologists, Nephrologists, Cardiologists, Ophthalmologist, Pulmonologist, Allergist and an Audiologist… Additional hearing tests soon showed that along with all the trauma already suffered, Maciej was unable to hear. The family were informed that only specialist hearing aids and years of rehabilitation would improve the situation. Maciej’s first hearing aid was partially sponsored by Polish NHS, the rest of the funds were taken from life time savings of my best friend and amazing mum, Agnieszka.

After hours, months and years of patient training by both parents Maciej began to understand speech and has finally begun communicating with his parents and other children. He beat all the odds and doctors could not believe the progress this little guy has made!

This brave little boy was integrated into kindergarten and started showing significant progress both in speech and in social development. This was all down to huge patience, love and care of parents and teachers. Maciej has miraculously now somehow caught up with children in his age group!

 Today his parents and my best friends are facing another dilemma. Maciej is going to school and his old hearing aid, which is no longer assisting his development, must now be replaced by a new model, which is a much stronger digital modern aid. A new hearing aid would allow him to hear difficult words and absorb knowledge on the same level as children his age without any further complications. It would in turn allow him the opportunity to fully participate in society, enjoy his life as a child, play with other children without being laughed at, and most importantly, learn and develop further.

Years of rehabilitation, specialist equipment and medications have sadly exhausted these parents’ financial means. We need only 3000 Polish zloty to buy the most important toy for this little brave bee. It’s only £615 between all of my friends, family, work colleagues and everyone who can spare a few pounds to help.

On the 4th of August I will take a part in the 100 miles (!!!!) Prudential Ride London- Surrey and try to raise £615 to help Maciej. I’ve done many challenging and crazy things in my life, but never so tough and never to help others.

Please help me to help make a difference in this amazing little boy’s life!

(Also cheering me along during my race would also help ;-)

Thank you so so so much!

Ania