A joyful six-year-old who loves performing on stage, dancing, traveling by train, exploring new places, and building with LEGO blocks. She is a perfect example of how the power of love and therapy can work miracles. We invite you to read the story of Amelka, a beneficiary of the Hemmersbach Kids’ Family Foundation.
The Strength of an Adoptive Family
Amelka entered foster care when she was just two years old. Today, Ola and Marcin Michalak-Jaroszewicz are her adoptive parents. At first, Amelka didn’t respond to her name or understand instructions, which posed a significant challenge for her adoptive parents. She had severe developmental delays—her skills were equivalent to those of a three-month-old infant. She couldn’t eat or swallow, with milk from a bottle being her only source of nourishment, and walking was the only skill she had mastered.
Over the years, Amelka has made tremendous progress. “Now, thanks to therapy, we have a very joyful child who learns quickly and is developing wonderfully. She is curious about the world, can communicate, and, most importantly, has started speaking,” says her adoptive mother.
Amelka’s unique musical and theatrical talents are particularly remarkable. In preschool, she performed on stage, presenting an entire choreography—a significant achievement for her. Although her development remains uneven, she has immense strength and a zest for life, and her emotional bond with her family is incredibly strong.
A Burden of Health Challenges
Today, Amelka is a child who runs, climbs playground equipment, expresses her needs, is joyful, and curious about the world. However, she still requires substantial support, particularly in therapy and medical care.
She has been diagnosed with Fetal Alcohol Syndrome (FAS), caudes by her biological mother’s alcohol consumption during pregnancy, leading to brain damage. Amelka faces intellectual disabilities and severe optic nerve damage. Additionally, she suffers from a heart defect, diabetes, developmental delays, and suspected epilepsy. She also has a congenital chest defect that requires physiotherapy, and there is a possibility of other genetic conditions.
“There are tough moments when we learn of another diagnosis or condition. It’s hard when we have to delay Amelka’s entry to preschool or receive a disability certificate valid until she’s 16. But those are just moments. It’s incredible to watch her grow and move forward. From a child who didn’t respond to stimuli, we now have someone full of life, who shows love. This journey has been extraordinary and deeply fulfilling,” summarizes Ola.
Support from the Hemmersbach Kids’ Family Foundation
Amelka requires substantial support in the form of therapy and medical care. The Hemmersbach Kids’ Family Foundation primarily funds speech therapy sessions, thanks to which Amelka has started speaking. “The Foundation has provided us with enormous help. (…) It’s invaluable support because we wouldn’t have been able to afford these sessions,” says her adoptive mother. “The Foundation also funded glasses—four pairs in a year due to her worsening vision.”
A Christmas Wish
What can we wish for Amelka and her adoptive parents this Christmas? Ola has a specific wish: “We face a big challenge—we dream of having our own place on Earth. We’ve received an apartment, but it needs significant renovations. So, we want to finish the renovations as soon as possible, with the help of kind-hearted people. That’s our first wish. The second is for Amelka to continue developing at her current pace and functioning as best as she can. Those are our two greatest dreams.”
Amelka’s story is a touching example of how the love of an adoptive family and the right therapy can lead to remarkable developmental progress in a child. May her smile and determination to overcome challenges inspire us all.
