From the moment he entered the world, Matwej Saldatau has been fighting a battle most adults would find unbearable. Born with spinal muscular atrophy type 2 (SMA)—a progressive disease that weakens the muscles—his life has been defined by challenges that no child should ever have to face.

At just 10 years old, Matwej understands what it means to lose strength while holding onto hope. His mind is bright. His dreams are big. His heart is wide open. But his body keeps growing weaker, limiting the movements that many children take for granted—running, climbing, playing, even simply standing.

Yet through it all, his spirit has never cracked.

A Childhood Reshaped by Illness

SMA type 2 slowly steals a child’s ability to move. For Matwej, it means his world is smaller, quieter, and filled with obstacles most people never think about.

He can’t walk.
He can’t run to greet his friends.
He can’t jump into his parents’ arms.

And he knows why.

He understands, with a maturity far beyond his age, that his body cannot keep up with everything his mind wants to do. But he refuses to let this reality dim the joy inside him or the bright dreams he still holds for his future.

A Family Forced to Start Over

Desperate to give their son a chance at life, Matwej’s parents made a heartbreaking decision:
they left Belarus and moved to Poland, hoping their boy would receive better medical care.

There, he finally began receiving the treatment that slows the progress of SMA. For the first time, hope didn’t feel like a distant idea—it felt real. It felt possible.

But SMA doesn’t pause.
And children don’t stop growing.

The challenges soon returned, deeper and heavier than before.

The Wheelchair That Became Too Small

For years, Matwej’s electric wheelchair has been his lifeline.
It has given him something priceless—mobility, independence, and a way to stay connected to the world.

But as his body grows, the chair no longer fits.
It creaks. It malfunctions. It presses against him painfully.
And worst of all, it limits his ability to live with dignity.

A broken wheelchair doesn’t just make life harder—it makes it smaller.

Without a proper chair:

• school becomes harder,

• independence becomes impossible,

• the world shrinks to the size of a room.

For a boy whose mind never stops dreaming, that is a prison.

Why a New Wheelchair Matters So Much

To many of us, movement is simple. Automatic. Something we rarely think about.

But for Matwej, movement is freedom.

A new wheelchair would give him:

• the ability to move safely,

• the comfort his growing body desperately needs,

• the independence to explore his world,

• the joy of participating in school and activities,

• a sense of normal childhood.

It would give him back a part of his life that SMA has been slowly taking away.

This wheelchair isn’t just equipment.
It is his chance to live—not just survive.

A Boy Who Keeps Fighting

Despite every setback, every painful limitation, and every moment of frustration, Matwej remains one thing:

brave.

He wakes up each day refusing to give up on himself.
He smiles. He dreams. He tries.
And he continues to believe in a future where he can move freely again.

His courage inspires everyone around him.

But even the strongest fighter needs help.

A Family Fighting Beside Him

Matwej’s parents have given everything—emotionally, financially, physically.
They’ve uprooted their lives, taken on enormous medical costs, and dedicated their days to ensuring their son has the care he needs.

But they can’t do this alone anymore.

A new wheelchair costs far more than they can afford on their own. It’s specialized, customized, and essential for his health and safety.

They need a community around them—people willing to stand with Matwej in this fight.

Why Your Support Matters

Every act of kindness, every donation, every share brings Matwej closer to the freedom he deserves.

Your help can:

• give him back his independence,

• allow him to participate fully in life,

• bring joy back into his days,

• ease the emotional burden on his family,

• and show him that he is not fighting alone.

Hope often begins with a single gesture.
And for Matwej, your support could be the moment everything changes.

A Story of Hope, Strength, and Possibility

Matwej’s journey is a powerful reminder:

Mobility is dignity.
Independence is freedom.
Support is life-changing.

SMA may challenge his body, but it has not defeated his spirit—not even close.

With a new wheelchair, he can reclaim the world that SMA has tried to take away. He can continue learning, growing, dreaming, and reaching for a life filled with possibility.

Let’s Help Him Move Toward a Brighter Future

Matwej’s story is not finished.
It is still being written—day by day, battle by battle, hope by hope.

Together, we can help him take the next step.
Even if he cannot walk, we can help him move forward.

For a brighter future.
For a life of dignity.
For a childhood filled with possibility.

Because every child deserves the chance to move, to explore, and to dream.
And Matwej deserves nothing less.