"Marcel’s Fight: Surviving Severe Burns and Healing with Courage".1998
Marcel’s Story: A Small Boy’s Fight After a Tragic Accident
For Marcel Polus and his parents, what should have been a quiet afternoon at home turned into a nightmare that would change their lives forever. Marcel, only
In a single moment, however, that peace shattered. As Ewelina stepped away for just a few seconds, Marcel, curious and lively, wriggled closer to the table where a cup of
The Immediate Trauma
Ewelina remembers those seconds with painful clarity. She had placed Marcel on the mat and turned only briefly to prepare his food. Her partner, Patryk, was working in Germany at the time, and the responsibility of caring for Marcel fell entirely on her. Already, the family had faced challenges: the uncertainty of expecting a child during the pandemic, Patryk’s temporary unemployment, and the fear of how they would manage as new parents.
The scream was piercing, raw, and full of pain. Ewelina rushed to her son and saw the terrifying reality: Marcel’s skin above his left eye was burned, his neck, chest, and abdomen scorched by the boiling tea. Fear gripped her completely. She feared for his life—her precious boy, her little ray of sunshine, was in excruciating pain, and she could do nothing to relieve it instantly.
Immediate Response
Without wasting a moment, Ewelina removed all of Marcel’s clothing and began cooling his burned skin, desperately attempting to alleviate the pain. The minutes felt like hours. Marcel’s tiny body was writhing, crying, and struggling as Ewelina did everything she could to comfort him. That helplessness, the inability to stop her child’s suffering, left her paralyzed with fear and grief.
The first hours were excruciating. Every movement Marcel made brought another scream, another tear. His mother was forced to witness his torment, powerless to take away the agony, as the small body that had brought them so much joy now endured unimaginable pain.
Hospitalization and Surgery
When Marcel was rushed to the hospital, the severity of his injuries became apparent. Nearly 30% of his body was burned, including the face, shoulder, neck, and chest. The medical team acted immediately, transferring him to the operating room. In an intensive and delicate surgery,
The surgery was only the beginning. Afterward, Marcel remained under intensive care. The family faced a long, uncertain path filled with medical consultations, ongoing treatment, and rehabilitation. Every day presented new challenges, both physical and emotional.
Ongoing Rehabilitation
Marcel’s recovery is a slow, painstaking process. His skin requires constant care with specialized ointments to promote healing and reduce scarring. He must wear compression suits designed for burn patients, and regular physiotherapy is necessary to ensure his mobility develops properly despite the trauma. His tiny body requires
Even small milestones—reducing pain during dressing changes, healing of minor burns, or successful exercises with a physiotherapist—are celebrated as victories. Each success is a testament to Marcel’s resilience and the tireless dedication of his parents.
Complications and Challenges
The journey has been fraught with complications. Burns of this magnitude often lead to infections, and Marcel’s immune system is under immense strain. He has faced challenges from both
His mother describes the emotional toll as almost unbearable. Witnessing her son’s pain, managing his medical care, and enduring sleepless nights have tested her limits. Patryk, working abroad, supports her emotionally and financially, but the weight of care has largely rested on Ewelina’s shoulders.
The Emotional and Psychological Impact
Beyond the physical injuries, Marcel faces significant psychological trauma. Even at such a young age, the pain and stress of hospitalization and repeated procedures can leave lasting impressions. His parents remain acutely aware of the need for careful, loving guidance to ensure he feels safe, secure, and supported as he grows.
The family’s emotional strength is bolstered by their unwavering love for Marcel and their determination to provide him with the best possible care. Every smile he manages, every small playful moment, serves as a reminder of his incredible resilience.
Financial Strain and Community Support
The financial demands of Marcel’s recovery are overwhelming. Ongoing medical treatments, specialized creams, compression suits, and regular physiotherapy sessions quickly add up. The family has exhausted many resources, yet the path forward remains costly.
They have turned to the community for assistance. Every donation, every act of generosity, helps ensure Marcel receives the medications, dressings, and therapies critical to his recovery. Support is not just financial—it represents hope, encouragement, and solidarity from people who care. Each contribution makes a tangible difference, giving Marcel the chance to heal and regain his life.
Hope for the Future
Marcel’s path is long, but hope remains alive. With continued care, therapy, and support, he has the chance to heal physically and emotionally, to recover mobility, and to regain a semblance of normal childhood experiences. His parents envision a future where he can play, explore, and grow without constant medical intervention, where scars tell a story of survival rather than suffering.
Every small success—successful dressing changes, improved skin healing, positive responses to physiotherapy—is a step forward. Marcel’s courage inspires not only his parents but also the medical staff and everyone who follows his journey.
A Family’s Plea
The Polus family’s appeal is simple yet urgent: Marcel needs continued medical treatment, specialized ointments, compression suits, and therapy sessions. Every donation, prayer, and word of encouragement strengthens their ability to provide for him and helps secure a future in which he can thrive.
The accident was sudden, life-altering, and devastating, but it did not destroy Marcel’s spirit. He is a fighter, resilient beyond his months, whose determination inspires all who witness it. The family asks for help to ensure that he has every possible advantage in recovery and that the tragedy he endured does not define the rest of his life.
Closing
Marcel’s story is one of tragedy, survival, courage, and hope. From the moment of his accident to the surgeries, hospital stays, and ongoing rehabilitation, he has faced unimaginable challenges. Yet, his spirit remains unbroken.
💛 Marcel deserves the chance to grow, play, and live fully, free from the constraints of his injuries. Please keep Marcel and his family in your thoughts, prayers, and support. Every gesture counts—every donation, every kind word, every act of solidarity contributes to helping this brave little boy recover and thrive.
Together, the community can make a difference, ensuring that Marcel’s story becomes one not just of tragedy, but of healing, resilience, and hope.
The Morning Her Horse Returned—With a Cat by His Side.337
She had always loved the quiet life on their small farm. There, in the gentle rhythm of the seasons, she and her husband built a life together—simple, steady, and filled with the companionship of their animals. A strong, gentle horse grazed in the pasture, and a sleek cat, who always seemed to prefer her husband’s side, padded silently through the barn and the fields.
But one morning, that life was shattered. Her husband was gone—taken suddenly, leaving her with silence heavier than she had ever known. The grief came swiftly, like a storm breaking through still air. She wandered the farm in disbelief, each corner echoing with memories of him.
And then, as if to deepen the wound, the cat vanished. The little companion who had always curled at her husband’s feet, who had followed him from stall to field, was simply gone. She searched and called, but no familiar shape appeared. It was as though the cat, too, had followed her husband into the beyond.
Two days later, when the ache of loss was already more than she could bear, another blow struck. Her horse broke out of the stall, disappearing into the countryside. The barn stood empty, and the farmyard felt hollow. She stood in the doorway, fighting back tears, thinking: What more can I lose?
That night was long. She lay awake, staring at the ceiling, her mind turning over the same thought again and again: she was alone now. The weight of despair pressed hard on her chest.
But grief has a way of being interrupted, sometimes, by the unexpected.
The next morning, when she stepped out into the yard, she froze. There, walking up the path, was her horse. His mane tossed in the breeze, his hooves steady against the dirt—and beside him, padding faithfully at his side, was the cat. The very cat she thought was gone forever.
The sight stole her breath. It was as though her husband himself had sent them back, reminding her that she had not truly lost everything. She felt, in that strange and miraculous moment, that he was still there, still watching over them, still binding together the pieces of the life they had built.
Tears filled her eyes, but this time, they carried more than sorrow. They carried gratitude. In the faithful return of her horse and cat, she found comfort—and perhaps even a message—that love does not end with death. It lingers, it guides, it finds its way back, even on the loneliest of mornings.
From that day forward, every time she saw the horse grazing or the cat curled up nearby, she felt her husband’s presence. Not gone, but transformed. Not silent, but speaking through the loyalty of the animals he had loved.
And so, on that small farm, hope returned—delivered not by grand miracles, but by the steady hooves of a horse and the soft steps of a cat who came home together.
