💛 Oliwka was born on November 8th, 2024, a tiny bundle of life and promise. But barely forty-eight hours later, her first breaths were interrupted by a harsh reality. Instead of the warmth of home, Oliwka was transferred to a hospital in Kraków, a sterile world of machines, monitors, and the anxious eyes of doctors and nurses. From that moment, her life became a constant battle for survival—each day a struggle for every breath, every heartbeat, every ounce of energy she could muster.

Watching a newborn fight for life is an unimaginable weight for any parent. As Oliwka’s parents, we endured a rollercoaster of fear, exhaustion, and hope. Every tiny movement, every blink, every sigh of relief was monumental. But we knew that Oliwka’s journey had only just begun.

Early Challenges: Feeding and Surgery

From the very beginning, Oliwka faced challenges that would test her tiny body. She could not eat on her own. Her fragile body could not process nourishment, and doctors soon suspected a duodenal obstruction—a blockage in the small intestine that prevented her from digesting food naturally.

For days, we watched helplessly as our daughter struggled to swallow. The sight of her tiny lips and throat failing to take in the sustenance she desperately needed was heart-wrenching. Fear gripped our hearts, and hope seemed fragile.

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, surgeons performed a delicate procedure to open her duodenum. For the first time, Oliwka could swallow and digest food. It was a small victory to the outside world, but for us, it was monumental—a sign that our daughter could endure, that hope could flourish even in the darkest circumstances.

Breathing Struggles and a Life-Saving Tracheostomy

Oliwka’s challenges were far from over. As she grew, her breathing became irregular and shallow. Her oxygen levels fluctuated dangerously, and repeated tests revealed a rare genetic syndrome causing floppiness in the airways, putting her at constant risk of suffocation. Several times, emergency interventions were necessary, and she had to be intubated just to survive.

Hearing that our child might not see another day was unbearable. Doctors suggested a tracheostomy—a tube surgically inserted into her throat to help her breathe. The procedure was terrifying, invasive, and overwhelming. Yet, it was life-saving. From that day forward, Oliwka relied on this lifeline for every breath, allowing her to continue fighting when survival seemed impossible.

Because of her condition, Oliwka also could not eat independently. Initially, she was fed through a nasal tube. Later, a PEG feeding tube delivered nutrition directly to her stomach. Doctors warned us that independent eating might never happen. While these words were crushing, the reality that she was still alive gave us a sliver of hope to hold onto.

Life in the Hospital: Endless Battles and Small Victories

Every day in the hospital was a battle. We learned the rhythms of her care, the nuances of her fragile body, and the significance of small victories. A swallow, a breath, a brief alert moment—all of these were triumphs.

Life in the hospital was intense. The constant beeping of monitors, the hum of machines, and the presence of doctors and nurses attending to her every need became our reality. Fear lurked in every alarm, exhaustion in every procedure, yet hope shone in every tiny milestone.

Even more daunting was the knowledge that one day, we would shoulder her care entirely on our own. At home, there would be no nurses, no doctors a few steps away. Every breath, every swallow, every moment would depend on our vigilance and dedication.

Chronic Conditions: Scoliosis and Specialist Care

Oliwka’s journey has never been limited to feeding and breathing. She also suffers from scoliosis, a curvature of the spine requiring braces, constant monitoring, and long-term treatment. Her care involves numerous specialists, including neurologists, speech therapists, audiologists, ENT doctors, maxillofacial surgeons, and orthopedists. Each visit tests her endurance and places a tremendous emotional and financial strain on our family.

Despite the hardships, Oliwka displays strength beyond her years. Her determination to survive inspires us to keep going, no matter how daunting the path ahead seems. Every small milestone—each swallow, each breath, each tiny step—is a triumph of courage and resilience.

Rehabilitation: Therapies, Electro-Stimulation, and Hope

Even outside the hospital, Oliwka requires constant care. Rehabilitation strengthens her fragile body, while electro-stimulation supports her breathing muscles. Special braces help manage scoliosis, and continuous monitoring by specialists ensures that complications are detected early.

These therapies are grueling, but necessary. Each session, each exercise, each effort is a step toward a better quality of life. Oliwka’s resilience and determination are the driving force behind her progress, teaching us patience, courage, and the meaning of hope every day.

The Emotional Toll: Parenting a Critically Ill Child

The emotional challenges of caring for Oliwka are immense. Watching a child struggle to breathe, swallow, and grow is heart-wrenching. Every decision—medical, financial, or emotional—carries weight. Sleep is scarce, stress is high, and uncertainty looms.

Yet, the joy of witnessing her small victories outweighs the pain. A smile, a brief moment of alertness, a successful swallow—all these remind us that life, even fragile and challenging, is worth fighting for.

Community Support: Hope Through Help

We know we cannot do this alone. Every small donation, every share of our story, every prayer or kind thought brings us closer to giving Oliwka the life she deserves. Your support is not just financial—it is hope, courage, and belief that a child’s life matters.

With your help, Oliwka can receive specialized therapies, medical care, braces, and rehabilitation that will give her the chance to experience childhood despite the challenges. Every act of kindness sustains her fight and reminds us that we are not alone.

A Message of Inspiration

Oliwka’s courage inspires not only us, her family, but everyone who hears her story. She teaches lessons of endurance, resilience, and the power of love. Every day, she defies the odds, showing that even the smallest life can demonstrate extraordinary strength.

We are determined to fight for Oliwka. We want her to play, smile, and experience the world, even if her path is different from other children’s. Every small achievement, every milestone, every breath is a victory of hope over despair.

💛 Oliwka’s story is a testament to the human spirit, the power of love, and the importance of never giving up—even when the odds are stacked against you.