Introducing the Fundraiser: Who is Lukáš?
Hello! My name is Lukáš, and I celebrated my third birthday this summer. Ever since I came into the world, I have been bravelyfighting the most severe form of cerebral palsy, which has affected my entire little body, as well as West syndrome, a very serious form of epilepsy. My world is different from thatof other children my age. I can’t sit, crawl, or walk, and I can’teat or drink on my own. I’m unable to tell anyone what I needat any given moment. And trust me—there is a lot I need…
When three-year-old Lukáš has a seizure in the car, his mom can’t get to him
Even though I was born via an emergency C-section, everything seemed fine during the first few hours. Unfortunately, just a few hours later everything took a turn, and I began fighting for my life. I started having full-body seizures and had to be resuscitated and connected to a ventilator. I spent several days in an induced coma in anincubator. Meanwhile, the doctors were searching formedication that would save me and keep me alive. When theyfinally found the right combination and the seizures stopped, I woke up—but I no longer knew how to control my body. I didn’t even have a sucking reflex and had to be fed through a tube into my stomach.
After many long weeks in the hospital, my parents finally tookme home. But soon, they noticed barely visible twitches in my little hands. One day, they didn’t stop. At the hospital, doctors discovered that I had West syndrome and severe brain atrophy.
Since then, my life has been a constant battle. During my first two years, I spent more time in the hospital than at home. Sadly, my little body cannot cope even with a common cold or similar illness—any fever immediately triggers epilepticseizures, and I end up on IVs.
But whenever my health allows it, I am a cheerful boy and a big fighter. I love animals and hippotherapy, and occupationaltherapy, physiotherapy, and sessions at a specialneurorehabilitation center help me a lot. I am also cared for by a palliative team that helps us improve my quality of life. Every bit of progress requires enormous effort, lots of equipment, and constant travelling.
And this is where my biggest worry lies: How will I continue to travel?
I am the youngest of three children, and our family of fivespends a huge amount of time +on the road, driving to doctorsand rehabilitation sessions. Because of my epilepsy, I cannot travel in the car without direct supervision. Seizures can comeat any time, without warning, and I need immediate first aid. Our current car is old and too small for us. We have driven itas much as we possibly could.
Unfortunately, it no longer fits our whole family, all thenecessary equipment, and—worst of all—my mom cannot sitclose to me. Since my parents are more or less on their ownwith everything, my siblings often have to travel with us, as they cannot stay home alone.
The main goal of this fundraiser is therefore to purchase a safe and spacious car. A car that can accommodate a specialrestraint system or positioning car seat, and where my momcan sit right next to me, ready to act immediately if I have a seizure while driving. She will also be close to my siblings ifthey need anything.
For us, this is not a luxury—as it might appear at first glance—but the only way for us to travel safely and without fear on the road to better health.
Because I am fighting on all fronts, my wish is to raise enoughfunds not only for the much-needed car, but also for intensiveneurorehabilitation, other essential therapies, special nutrition, and necessary supplements.
If more money is raised, all of it will be used for additionalthings that are crucial for my quality of life. These include, forexample, a medical stroller so that I can spend time outside, a standing frame that helps my body experience an uprightposition, and other special therapeutic tools and equipmentthat help me progress.
From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you very much forevery contribution. You will help us drive safer miles toward a better tomorrow for me.