Update – 10 years later

It has been 10 years since my stroke, and I am still living with paralysis, relying on my electric wheelchair to move around.

Over the years, I have continued intensive rehabilitation, which has helped me gain partial control of my left side. However, to improve my quality of life and become more independent, I urgently need support for ongoing rehabilitation and a new wheelchair that could help me stand and move more freely.

Your support would allow me to continue fighting for independence, be there for my daughters, and live life with more mobility and dignity. Every contribution brings me one step closer to this goal.

Thank you for standing by me all these years. Your help truly changes my life.

My name is Marzena and I am 44 years old.

On February 7, 2016 I had a stroke in my spinal cord which caused paralysis of all four of my limbs.

Two days earlier, I heard my boss yelling for help. Her son was choking and she didn't know what to do. I ran quickly to help, somehow getting down the stairs even though there was a baby gate blocking my path. I remember thinking then that it was a miracle I hadn't fallen down the stairs and broken my back! Unfortunately, at the time I was unaware that I had violated a vertebrae which in turn caused swelling that blocked the oxygen supply to my spinal cord eventually leading me to have a stroke.

Until that fateful day I led a normal, peaceful life. I was always full of energy, confronting problems and failures as they entered my path. Fifteen years ago my husband died, but I fought hard and raised two wonderful daughters on my own.

Seeing the struggle and the strength of my daughters and my family, I believe that there is still a chance for me.

After months of rehabilitation I am now able to partly control the left side of my body which allows me to move around on an electric wheelchair.

However, my only hope to be fully independent again is through intensive rehabilitation therapy which is very expensive.

I feel that it is my job to support my daughters, not for them to have to support me.

Please help me fight against my disability. My family needs me!