Physical Health Poland Project #47356

Rehabilitation center for 60 disabled in Poland

by Fundacja im. Doktora Piotra Janaszka PODAJ DALEJ/ Doctor Piotr Janaszek PAY IT FORWARD Foundation

Rehabilitation center for 60 disabled in Poland

Project Report | Mar 26, 2024
She does what she wants and looks how she wants.

By Filip Sobieszek | Project Leader

PAY IT FORWARD - Paulina Kozak

This time we are presenting you the story of a unique woman - Paulina. Please click also this link to watch special "thank-you note" from Paulina.

Paulina came to the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation just a few months after her accident. In our Foundation, she learns how to live a completely new life... in a wheelchair. She loves glitter, which gives her self-confidence. Paulina does what she wants and looks how she wants, but always in a way that makes her feel good! Paulina believes in Helen Keller's principle: "You can do anything you want if you stick with it long enough."

"Where am I now? I'm in a place that a few years ago I would have considered unreal. I'm getting to know my strength, stubbornness and endurance. I'm discovering how determined a woman I am and what I can achieve, despite a body that has partially refused to obey me. My psyche is growing in direct proportion to the healing process of my damaged bones.

How did I get to this point? What led me to this goal was a task-oriented approach and perseverance which I would never have thought of before. When I may, I cry, when I have the strength, I fight. I balance emotions and wild pursuit of my goals.

What do I draw strength from? I am proud that I can distance myself from every situation, I draw strength from joking, and self-confidence motivates me to take further action. I have never felt so at peace with myself, never loved myself so much before. I give myself everything I need, and my wild nature and desire to develop push me forward every day. I have awakened the warrioress within me and I cherish it with all my heart.

Paulina is spreading her wings and slowly clarifying her plans for the future. At the rehabilitation center she learned, among other things: how to transfer herself from a wheelchair to a bed, overcome obstacles in the field and "climb" stairs in a wheelchair. During everyday rehabilitation, she does her best because she wants to be an independent living instructor and help people who suffered from accidents to find their way in a new, difficult reality. All this is possible thanks to you!

PAY IT FORWARD - Paulina Kozak

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Mar 12, 2024
THE GENE OF INDEPENDENCE - Maciej

By Filip Sobieszek | Project Leader

PAY IT FORWARD - Maciej Wiatrowski

This month I want to share Maciej's story with you.

I touched the surface of the water and heard a crunch. As quiet as a snapping match. I didn't know then that it was the sound of human bones breaking. This sound changed my whole life.

July 14, 1994

In the evening, through a hole in the fence, I entered the Konin municipal swimming pool with my friends. We went there with warm beer and a ball. We played dodgeball. I didn't want to get hit so I jumped into the pool. As I hit the water, I heard the bones crunching. Then I just drifted involuntarily... My friends pulled me to the shore. They didn't believe that I didn't feel anything. They were poking my arms and legs. I didn't react. I was 22 years old, worked as a radio and tv fitter, and I had a 3-year-old daughter.

It was clear that something had happened to my spine.

The ambulance took me to the hospital in Konin, then to Poznan. At that time, spinal canal stabilization operations were performed on people with spine injuries. I was unlucky. I came across a renovation. I underwent decompression procedure after 2 weeks, instead of 1 hour after the accident.

I don't remember who told me that I would be in a wheelchair.

Some doctor who was at that time on duty did it. However, the diagnosis is permanently etched in my mind: crushed C5 vertebrae of the spine, disruption of the spinal cord, quadriplegia, lack of grasping reflex and lack of finger movement. The belief that "I will be forever bound to a wheelchair" developed in me during almost a year of rehabilitation. With it - the need to fight for my new life.

– I know you, you've just had a accident, I'll take care of you

– said the guy with glasses who visited me in Konin's hospital. His name, Doctor Piotr, didn’t ring a bell. We had a nice chat and that's it. He called me again when I got home from rehab. He talked about occupational therapy workshops for disabled people. I tried to evade the topic. Me, disabled? I haven't thought of myself that way before. The doctor sent a bus to pick me up. I didn’t want to go the first time. Second time I decided to give it a try.

I went to the computer lab.

I took several courses. IT got me hooked. I have worked for companies in this industry for 12 years. I also started to embrace Piotr's ideas and his actions. When he passed away, together with his daughters, we created the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation. I work there permanently. I work on audits of buildings and urban space in terms of accessibility to the needs of people with disabilities.

Me and my wheelchair.

We have been together for almost 30 years now. It’s an active model with a small attachable drive, which I turn on for longer routes with the use of a smartwatch on my wrist. I move around the Foundation's office on my own, with the use of my arms. My desk and computer equipment are not particularly adapted. I do not need it. I need help with some personal activities, e.g. washing and dressing, as well as with travel, e.g. to my beloved rock concerts and tourist trips. I live with my elderly parents. What will happen to me when they are gone? I would like to live in supported housing in the Janaszkowo settlement. This is my only chance to continue living independently.

My name is MACIEJ.

I am an accessibility specialist and social activist.

I have quadriplegia.

I am an INDEPENDENT PERSON.

PAY IT FORWARD - Maciej Wiatrowski

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Feb 19, 2024
The need of supported housing in Osada Janaszkowo.

By Filip Sobieszek | Project Leader

PAY IT FORWARD - Janaszkowo supported housing

Dear Friend, we would like to share an important movie with you. Please, click the link below and turn on the English subtitles to learn about our future plans.

>> WATCH THE MOVIE <<<

In the following movie Emilia, Magosia and Mirek talk about themselves and their big dream... Due to their disabilities, they require a lot of daily support in all activities, but they want to live with dignity, they want to be independent, active and, as far as possible, self-reliant. Supported housing is being created for them and many other people with significant disabilities. The rehabilitation part, which was created during the first stage of the general modernization of the facility, has been operating in the Osada Janaszkowo in Wasosze (near Slesin) for 2 years now. PAY IT FORWARD Foundation is preparing for the next stage - modernization and furnishing of the upper floors, where supported apartments will be built.

On June 25, 2021, we launched a modern rehabilitation part in the Janaszkowo settlement, where classes take place every day! This is the first stage of work, which we financed, among others, thanks to your support.

We still need to renovate the ground floor and the first floor, i.e. the residential part. The training apartments will be inhabited by people whose disabilities keep them at home, who are at the beginning of their journey and only here will they learn to live independently and practice daily activities.

There will also be apartments for those who are ready to make the hard decision and are not afraid to leave home, meet new people, have their own hobbies, work, but due to their disabilities, they need the support of an assistant.

Osada Janaszkowo is a great support for people with disabilities themselves, but also a chance to catch a breath for their loved ones who often give up their own lives to take care of the disabled 24 hours a day... In the respite part, parents will be able to leave their disabled children under the careful and professional care.

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