<div>My name is Emily. I live in Switzerland, where I run a practice for medical massage. I have been dedicated to manual therapy for many years. Privately, I am the aunt of my brave nephew. I started this fundraiser to support him in his fight against his illness.
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<div>Michał is Fighting Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) – And He Needs Your Help
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<div>Together for Michał – Fighting DMD
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<div>Michał has been diagnosed with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD), a rare and progressive genetic disorder that leads to irreversible muscle loss.
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<div>He was born a healthy, energetic child. Until the age of four, he developed just like any other child – running, laughing, and enjoying his childhood. But one morning, he suddenly couldn’t stand on his leg. That’s when everything changed.
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<div>What followed was a long journey – from one doctor to another, from one hospital to the next. Eight long months of uncertainty, until we finally found specialists in Poznań, Poland. There, we received the devastating diagnosis: Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy – a progressive, incurable muscle disease. It was a shock. My cheerful, full-of-life nephew – now facing a lifelong battle.
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<div>Common symptoms of DMD include:
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<div>Progressive muscle weakness
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<div>Enlargement of the calf muscles
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<div>Fatigue
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<div>Muscle pain
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<div>Toe-walking
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<div>Difficulty climbing stairs
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<div>Frequent falling
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<div>Breathing difficulties
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<div>Learning difficulties, especially short-term memory
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<div>Scoliosis (curvature of the spine)
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<div>Problems with sitting, standing, and walking
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<div>Waddling gait
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<div>Trouble running or jumping
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<div>Balance issues
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<div>How DMD is affecting Michał’s daily life right now:
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<div>Even at this stage, Michał already needs help with many everyday activities:
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<div>Getting out of bed
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<div>Getting dressed
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<div>Brushing his teeth
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<div>He needs assistance getting into a car – he can’t even open the car door by himself.
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<div>Simple tasks like opening a bottle or a snack package are difficult for him.
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<div>Because of his condition, Michał now attends a small local school in the village of Piecnik, which offers a safer environment. Every injury could drastically worsen his condition.
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<div>As long as it’s possible, we want him to continue attending school – to stay connected with other children and maintain social interaction.
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<div>However, he can’t use the school bus on his own – he needs help getting in and out. He also needs assistance carrying his school backpack. During school trips, he already relies on a wheelchair.
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<div>A powered wheelchair costs 4,900 CHF (22,000 PLN).
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<div>At home, Michał also needs support with:
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<div>Getting up from the floor
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<div>Climbing stairs
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<div>Opening doors
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<div>Dealing with balance issues
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<div>From the bottom of my heart, thank you for your support.
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<div>– Emily, Michał’s aunt
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<div>Michał (8) is my nephew, and he has his whole life ahead of him. That’s why I’m doing everything I can to give him the most comfortable and fulfilling life possible.
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<div>This also includes treatment and care for his condition – Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD).
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<div>Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy is a rare genetic disorder that causes progressive and irreversible muscle degeneration. It is one of the fastest-progressing neuromuscular diseases affecting boys.
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<div>Michał Needs Medical Support
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<div>Michał is fighting every day against the progression of muscle degeneration. The disease has advanced to the point where he can no longer walk.
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<div>An operation on his Achilles tendons is urgently needed – due to muscle contractures, Michał can no longer properly move his legs.
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<div>The surgery costs 17,700 CHF.
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<div>In addition, Michał needs:
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<div>Intensive rehabilitation at least 5 times a week (700 CHF per month)
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<div>Specialized medical care (approx. 500–600 CHF per month)
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<div>Rehabilitation equipment (orthoses, wheelchair, special care bed) (approx. 400 CHF per month)
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<div>Regular check-ups with neurologists, cardiologists, orthopedists, endocrinologists, pulmonologists, psychologists, dietitians, and speech therapists (approx. 700–1,000 CHF per month)
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<div>A Spark of Hope
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<div>There is a glimmer of hope – the opportunity to participate in a clinical trial in Belgium, led by one of Europe’s leading DMD specialists.
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<div>This chance could be life-changing for Michał – but the costs for travel, accommodation, and medical support are high: 5,000–6,000 CHF (one-time cost).
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<div>The Most Expensive – and Most Promising – Treatment
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<div>The most expensive, but also potentially most promising treatment is a stem cell transplant from Michał’s father. This therapy can slow down the progression of the disease. It is a form of gene therapy, and unfortunately, it is not available in the country where Michał lives.
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<div>That’s why we are raising funds or looking for a sponsor in the United States, where such procedures are performed.
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<div>The cost of a single transplant is approximately 3,000,000 USD.
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Support Michał in His Fight Against DMD

Still CHF13,383 to go. Help us build momentum.