Rehabilitation center for 60 disabled in Poland

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.