My name is Olga Majchrowska, I am 45 years old. In December 2015, I was in a car accident — and since then I have not been able to walk because of a fractured spine. But I continued to work remotely, then as an administrator in a nightclub, then as a sales manager.
In 2020, I participated in the election campaign, supporting Babariko. Of course, I could not run far in a wheelchair, but I am a desperate person. I went simply because I knew and felt that it was the right thing to do. I wanted changes for the better, I wanted to see a free country.
When the protests quieted down, I wasn't touched. But in 2022, I started to notice that I was being followed. For example, my phone was draining very quickly, and when I called someone, I could hear other people's voices in the background. Several times on the street I noticed that unfamiliar men were following me or driving a car. When I turned around, they were following me. It was very scary. I lived in the private sector, and at some point I started to be afraid to sleep: it seemed that law enforcers could break the windows and get into the house.
But I stayed in Belarus for the sake of my son: he was studying at the Novogrudok lyceum, and after that I had to work. Besides, it was not clear what I would do abroad, who would need me there with a disability. Then in 2024, the guys from Inclusive Barista in Warsaw said they were ready to hire me. That's when I decided it was okay to move so I wouldn't flinch at every knock on the door anymore.
I moved to Poland in February 2024 together with my son when his placement ended. I immediately applied for international protection. Everything was going well until in October, when I fell ill with suppurative sore throat. The condition was terrible: the temperature was under 40°C, pus ulcers appeared on my lips and in my mouth. I spent almost a month and a half in such a state, during this time I lost about 15 kg. All my hair fell out — the doctor didn't even know if it would grow back. I am still in shock that I survived: I had a fever for several weeks, I couldn't get out of bed from weakness.
It was like that for almost a month and a half. Then I started to feel better, and luckily my hair gradually started to grow back. My friends and my son were very supportive.
But on the background of the disease, my anemia worsened, and my blood iron levels are still half of the norm. I also developed a pressure sore (in simple words, it is necrosis or necrosis of tissue) of the gluteal muscle. This is a common problem for people in a wheelchair. But as long as my health was okay, I tried to move as much as I could and everything was fine. And since I could barely stand up with a sore throat, I didn't have time to be active at all. Eventually the necrosis went to the bone. It doesn't hurt as much as it could: I have impaired sensation due to the injury. If it gets worse, I can take a painkiller.
In spite of this, I feel morally much better now than when I was lying there with angina. At that moment I was so desperate that I thought about euthanasia. But now the situation is different: although everything is serious, but it is clear how to fix it.
In order to get rid of the bedsores, I need surgery, and as soon as possible. Doctors will cut out the dead part of the muscle and sort of pull a healthy one in its place. After recovery, there is a very good chance that there will be no recurrence. Fortunately, the surgery will be paid for from the budget. But before the surgery, you need to restore the iron levels in your blood. To do this, it is important to quickly understand why the body refuses to accept it. Since I didn't have time to be officially employed and didn't pay taxes before receiving my residence card, I have to pay for doctor's appointments and all procedures myself.
Besides, after the surgery I will not be able to move around for a month or two. Therefore, I won't be able to work as a barista either. But I will have to pay for the apartment in Warsaw where my son and I live together.
I don't want to ask too much, because many people need help now. But I thank you in advance for any support.
How much is needed?
€3800
€2000 for doctor's appointments, gastro and colonoscopy;
€1800 to pay for an apartment for two months until I can work.