Two Legs. One Dream. Help Me Walk Again.

Three years ago, I was preparing to make my professional MMA debut.

Today, my biggest dream is something most people never have to think about.

To walk.

My name is Štefan, and in May 2023, at just 34 years old, my life changed forever.

During an aggressive incident, I suffered a catastrophic injury to my carotid artery. The injury to my carotid artery compromised blood flow to my brain, causing a massive ischemic stroke. Surgeons removed part of my skull to save my life, but my fight was only beginning.

A blood clot then travelled from my aorta into both of my legs, cutting off their blood supply. Doctors first amputated both of my legs below the knee, but the damage was too severe. To save my life, they had to amputate both of my legs above the knee.

Over the months that followed, I survived repeated pneumonia, sepsis, infected wounds, pressure sores and countless complications. There were moments when my family didn’t know if I would survive.

But I survived.

Now I am fighting for something different.

I am fighting for my future.

I want to walk independently again. I want to hold my daughter’s hand and walk beside her. I want to regain my independence, return to an active life, and show her that no matter how difficult life becomes, we never give up.

I also have a dream of representing Slovakia as a Paralympian. Sport has always been part of who I am, and I believe that with determination, the right prosthetic technology, and specialist rehabilitation, I can achieve that dream.

To do that, I need two advanced microprocessor prosthetic legs.

Each prosthetic leg costs approximately €30,000, making the total cost for both around €60,000. Unfortunately, my insurance will not cover the advanced prosthetic legs I need, nor will it cover much of the specialist rehabilitation required to learn how to use them.

Because I am a bilateral above-knee amputee, I also need to travel abroad for intensive rehabilitation and gait training. This specialised programme is essential if I am to learn to walk safely and independently, but it comes with significant additional costs for treatment, travel and accommodation.

Your support will help fund:

* Two advanced microprocessor prosthetic legs.

* Specialist rehabilitation and gait training abroad.

* Physiotherapy and occupational therapy.

* Travel and accommodation during rehabilitation.

* Prosthetic fittings, adjustments and maintenance.

* Equipment that will help me regain my independence.

Before my accident, I spent my life helping others through charity events and community fundraising. I never imagined that one day I would be the one asking for help.

Today, I am asking for the chance to rebuild my life.

Every donation, no matter the amount, brings me one step closer to walking again.

If you are unable to donate, sharing my story with others is another way you can help.

Thank you for believing in me.

Two legs. One dream. Help me walk again.