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 | Jun 6, 2024
THE GENE OF INDEPENDENCE - Mateusz

By Filip Sobieszek | Project Leader

PAY IT FORWARD - Mateusz

A moment of inattention, a slip and a "landing" on the side of the road. This was my 2nd motorcycle accident. I was sure that after 3 months I would be healthy. Just like after the first one. It took me a long time to realize that I would no longer be able to drive a motorcycle or stand on my feet.

200 meters.

My accident took place so close to my home, in a small Olszyce in Podkarpacie. So small that I couldn't find a job there. They didn't need a 26-year-old boy with a culinary degree in the region. So I arranged a seasonal job in Belgium. That day, at the end of August 2018, I returned to Poland. I went for a ride just to "air up" the motorcycle.

A boy was holding my head.

Someone called for help. A rescue helicopter arrived and took me to the hospital in Rzeszów. There I underwent surgery on my spinal cord, which was severed at the chest level. I came to consciousness a few days after the crash. Then they told me everything.

I won't walk again.

My mother was afraid to tell me about it. Doctors also did not give me the details. I talked to patients. I searched on the Internet. For a long time I had hope that the paralysis would go away. And for a long time I underestimated fully able hands.

I tried everything.

Rehabilitation in private centers. Exercises and walking in exoskeletons. Then a stem cell transplant. I called a clinic in Thailand. They wanted 300,000 zloty for the neuromodulator. They did not guarantee that I would move even one finger. I grabbed many lifelines. All for nothing.

Block of flats without an elevator.

Before the accident I lived in an apartment on the 2nd floor. I returned to it. I exercised several times a week, "stared" at the TV and browsed the Internet. There I found hope. It was July 2019.

"Come to Konin!"

I heard that after sending the application and an online interview. People from the PAY IT FORWARD Foundation offered me a 12-week stay in a training apartment, rehabilitation, independence training and other necessary help. Everything for free. I only had to pay for the food. I was suspicious. I've paid for everything so far. I was expecting a catch, but there wasn't one.

But there was a "deep water" approach.

Wash the clothes and iron them. Do some shopping, prepare food. Everything by myself. I admit that these "kitchen matters" were the most difficult. And I had to travel by the bus to classes. I thought I was travelling alone. I found out later that I was being "followed" by a vigilant instructor. This is how they taught me independence.

I stayed in Konin.

I returned home for a short time. To prove to my mother that I can handle an independent life. I rented an apartment and bought a car. I used it to commute to work at the Foundation. First as a volunteer, then an intern, and after obtaining a diploma of a sports instructor for disabled people - as an employee.

I don't plan for the future.

I am happy with what I have. Work, my own apartment and my Weronika. I also found her thanks to the Foundation. Such a paradox. I had to break my back to straighten my life out.

My name is MATEUSZ.

I am an independent living instructor.

I am a quadriplegic.

I am an INDEPENDENT PERSON.

PAY IT FORWARD - Mateusz

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