For anyone who does not know me and has found this website, I would like to introduce myself.
My name is Damian Merda. I am 30 years old.
I was born and grew up in Zielona Gora, Poland where I graduated from the University of Zielona Gora with a Master Degree in Political Studies.
After graduating, I started working in a bank. For last few years I have lived and worked in Wroclaw, South East Poland. I have made many friends there and have some fantastic memories with them. Unfortunately, cancer and the subsequent amputation of left leg above a knee has stopped my life and career plans, I also had to return to my family home in Zielona Gora.
After I lost my leg, my life was destroyed. It took me many months to rebuild my physical and emotional balance.
I am aware of the fact that this website should have been created some time ago. However, it takes time to get over this kind of trauma and get yourself together to admit that you are physically handicapped and it is very hard to ask others for help.
Everyone who knows me, considers me to be a very ambitious person who never gives up pursuing my life goals. However, I have now found myself in a situation that I cannot handle on my own. That is why I need help.
I need your help to purchase an artificial leg that would allow me to operate as normal as possible in everyday life.
I know that I will never be able to do a lot of things that I used to love. I will never again play soccer or hike in our beautiful mountains. But I am OK with that. I do not argue with God or my faith anymore. Apparently, this is my destiny.
However, to achieve this, I need to collect 60,000 zl (over €15,000)
Right now this amount of money is unimaginable to me and is unattainable. At the moment I support myself with crutches and a temporary artificial leg. It is the simplest technological prosthesis available and is supposed to prepare me in next few months for a final fully operational artificial leg.
However, the Polish Health Fund (NFZ) refunds only 2 800 zl (around €700) to this type of artificial leg. It is not even a fraction of the whole price needed for this purchase.
At the moment my biggest dream is to be able to go for a short walk on my own, go to the shop’s or even bring myself a cup of coffee from the kitchen to the living room… I would never expect people to have such simple wishes. Additionally difficult for me is the fact that I live on the forth floor of my building with no elevator access. Every time I need to climb these few dozen stairs it is like an expedition to reach the summit of Mount Everest which takes both a great deal of time and strength.
One day I would like to have a family of my own and to restart my employment, also I would love so much to start spending time around the people I enjoyed so much before and ultimately to start living again. Everyone knows me as the life and soul of the party and a person who would never say ‘no’ to anyone in need. I always try to be with them with a good word or a joke.
I know that my plead will not stay unheard. However, if for some reason you are not able to help me personally, maybe you know of some people or institutions that would be able to help and would not refuse it.
Also, I would be extremely grateful if you could forward this link onto facebook and other social website.
Lastly, I would like to say ‘thank you’ to three people without whom I would never be able to cope with everything that had happened to me in last year. My mum who left her career to stay with me at home and take care of me, she was always there by my side even at the most difficult of times. THANK YOU MUM!!!! And I am sorry that I have sometimes taken out my frustration and helplessness on you. Without you I could never have made it!
I also thank my God Mother, I will never be able to repay her for everything she has done for me.
Finally I would like to thank my girlfriend. We met just before I became sick and she has been a pillar of strength while standing by me throughout all this misery.
To all the people who were there for me during my obstacles and in my little-big war with cancer. I THANK YOU ALL FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART. There are so many, I am not able to mention all of them. Every day, the awareness of all these big hearts around me gives me unbelievable strength to go forward.
PS. I would like to also say to all my friends and colleagues whom I do not have everyday contact with at the moment, that I have not changed at all and my enthusiasm and my lifestyle remain the same. You should not hesitate to call, email or contact me. Some of you are afraid but I would like to assure you – I have not transformed into an umbrella.
If anyone would like to help me with the buying my artificial leg – you can find the bank details for international transfers below:
FOUNDATION "SLONECZKO"
STAWNICA 33, 77-400 ZLOTOW
DONATION IN EURO: PL 76 8944 0003 0000 2088 2000 0050
DONATION IN USD: PL 97 8944 0003 0000 2088 2000 0060
BIC (SWIFT): GBWCPLPP
With the note: 142/M FOR DAMIAN MERDA
DONATION IN USD: PL 97 8944 0003 0000 2088 2000 0060
BIC (SWIFT): GBWCPLPP
With the note: 142/M FOR DAMIAN MERDA
