Hania has endured more in her short life than most children face in a lifetime. Born with cerebral cortical dysplasia and drug-resistant epilepsy, she has been experiencing seizures since she was just four months old. For over a decade, she has been tried on every possible combination of anti-epileptic medications, yet nothing has managed to control her condition. Her seizures persist, sometimes violently and without warning, dictating every aspect of her and her family’s lives.
Until November 2022, the situation was relatively stable. The seizures continued, but the intervals between them were longer, giving us a fragile sense of hope. Then, suddenly, everything changed. Hania began suffering multiple seizures daily. An MRI scan revealed a large dysplasia of the cerebral cortex—deep, difficult to access, and responsible for the relentless attacks. At the peak, Hania experienced 50 to 60 seizures a day, each one unpredictable and severe.
The attacks are sudden and violent, often making her fold like a penknife. We must remain constantly vigilant, holding her hand to prevent injury and watching her every movement. A moment of inattention could result in serious harm. Each seizure is a frightening spectacle: Hania loses consciousness, collapses, and her body hits furniture, the floor, and other objects around her. Every blow carries the risk of life-threatening injury. This is the reality of her life—and ours—as a family living under the constant shadow of epilepsy.
These seizures can last up to a minute, occurring at any time of day or night without warning. The sudden electrical discharges in her brain render it temporarily inoperable, leaving her completely limp and defenseless. Outside of the seizures, Hania appears to be a healthy child. Her condition is invisible to the eye, yet it dominates every second of her life, and every member of our family is affected. Daily tasks—cooking, washing hands, even using the bathroom—require constant vigilance, as the epilepsy could strike at any moment. Our entire household lives in a state of heightened alert, all dictated by the disease and our fear for Hania’s life.
Hania has been hospitalized almost continuously since May 20, 2023. On October 10, 2023, she underwent her first surgery to correct the dysplasia at the Children’s Memorial Health Institute (CZD) in Warsaw. The operation lasted seven hours, yet unfortunately, it was unsuccessful. Hania continues to suffer, experiencing up to 30 seizures a day. A second surgery was planned, intended to bring her relief and peace.
However, after numerous specialized tests, the doctors at CZD made the heartbreaking decision not to perform the second surgery. The dysplasia is located deep within Hania’s cerebral cortex, making it extremely difficult to access. Removing it carries a high risk of severe neurological deficits. The surgery could result in permanent left-sided paralysis, loss of speech, and, most devastatingly, Hania might no longer be able to understand what we say to her. The risks were too great, and yet her suffering continues.
Hania’s only hope now lies in a costly trip to the United States, where advanced epilepsy treatment techniques are available. These specialized methods offer a chance for her to finally live a life outside the hospital, to experience freedom, and to gain some control over her body and mind. Without this intervention, Hania will continue to endure relentless seizures, and her family will remain trapped in a cycle of fear, vigilance, and helplessness.
We are asking for help. Every gesture of support—through donations, sharing our story, and spreading awareness—can make a tangible difference in Hania’s life. The costs of this treatment are enormous, and we cannot cover them on our own. But together, we believe there is hope. Together, we can give our little girl a chance at a normal, happy life.
Hania is a fighter. She has endured more than most of us could imagine and faces every day with courage that inspires everyone around her. With your support, we can provide her with the medical care she urgently needs, the chance to live without constant seizures, and the opportunity to grow, learn, and enjoy life like any other child.
Please help us give Hania hope, strength, and a future. Your support could be the difference between continued suffering and a chance at freedom from epilepsy. Every donation brings her closer to a life filled with possibilities, safety, and joy—a life she so desperately deserves.
Agata and Andrzej – Hania’s Parents