Mission for Martin

Hi Everyone,

I am Martin Kozuch; I’m the new kid on our block here in Poprad, Slovakia. I was born on March 10, 2023. My mom, Helenka Kozuchova took this cute photo of me. You will know me by connection. My grandmother is Monika Molitorisova Soltys’ sister. Monika and her husband Martin (great first name, huh?) are friends and work colleagues of lots of people in New York, U.S.A.

My birth was a joy to my family, but I’m sorry to say that my birth has also caused tears of sorrow as well as joy. I endured a brain bleed which, of course, has created stress and worry for my parents, grandparents and other extended family and friends. As you might imagine, I do not understand my condition so I’ll let my mom explain a little now.

Martin did indeed experience a brain bleed which has left his left side weakened and compromised. That is the obvious disability. More concerning is the damage done to his brain and heart. There are very high-level medical terms for his condition, but to keep it simpler and more understandable for you, Martin might be facing a lifetime of medical hardships. When he reaches his six-month age, an MRI can be performed to more accurately assess his brain and heart functions.

The very formal summary from the doctors’ documentation reads as follows:

“Martin is 4 months old, being born prematurely in the 39th week of pregnancy; the delivery was an acute c-section. The reason was due to chronic hypoxia (low oxygen levels in tissues) of the fetus and third-degree intraventricular bleeding inside the brain. Martin now suffers with very stiff muscles, with the left side of the body being comparatively worse. He is also dealing with microcephaly (a birth defect of having a smaller head than a normal baby). Routine training is recommended with his mother performing exercises with Martin 3-4 times daily; as well as a special “Vojta Reflex” therapy in a center for babies, an expensive therapy not covered by insurance.”

We provide the manual exercises for Martin’s limbs even at his young age. Our baby is sweet and seemingly content right now. Until he can truly communicate for himself, we are involved in a big guessing game. Martin’s head is markedly smaller than what a normal newborn’s measures.

We know that the months and years ahead are going to be difficult. It has been recommended that extensive physical therapy and rehab will be necessary. These programs, of course, are very expensive and insurances do not cover that aspect of wellness. We’re asking that you consider joining our fight to help Martin live as normal a life as can be expected for someone born with such serious conditions. Oh, and Martin is fussing now; he wants to tell you something more. Here he is.

I want to say thank you for all my families’ friends in advance of their kind assistance in helping me get stronger and stronger. I promise to do the very best I can to soothe my early physical wounds and the profound psychological wounds inflicted on my young, beautiful parents. My grandmother’s love is already bursting as is that of my parents, extended family and friends far and near. Thank you for reaching out to help me.

Oh, by the way, I am already bi-lingual so let me thank you in Slovak too…..

Ďakujem, že ste mi pomohli.