Nenagh sisters’ appeal for ill brother
Nenagh sisters Miriam Bhandar and Joanna Kuczawska are appealing for fundraising support for their brother in Poland, who is very ill as a result of complications he developed after contracting Covid-19.
Miriam and Joanna are originally from Poland and have lived in Nenagh for decades now. Joanna has worked at a children’s therapy centre in Limerick, in Tesco in Nenagh, at Nenagh Plant Hire, and she has has tended bar at Maximus nightclub. She has a 12-year-old daughter in St Mary’s Convent Primary School.
Miriam has been working for Applegreen for the past seven years; she has also worked in Tesco and Tang City. She is also a supporter of local animal welfare services and spends time collecting unwanted goods and sending them to an orphanage in Poland.
“We are very happy to be part of the community in Nenagh and people have always been incredibly kind and made us feel at home here,” the sisters stated. “Due to current restrictions, we haven’t been able to see our family for the past two years. It was during this time that our brother Kamil got very sick in Poland.
“Kamil was perfectly healthy before contracting Covid-19. He initially recovered from the virus but, due to his immune system being very much run down, he began to pick up infections and illnesses.
“Due to post Covid-19 complications he got diagnosed with very severe, chronic Polineuropatia, which causes circuit nerve paralysis to his lower body. It is so serious that any strength, mobility, or muscle work is zero to none. He has spent the past eight months in several hospitals trying to fight for his life and for his mobility.
“We are trying to raise funds for his rehabilitation as the public rehabilitation waiting list time is up to 18 months in Poland due to Covid delays in the country. As a family, we had no choice other than to put him through private rehabilitation, which unfortunately cost €5,500 a month.
“Recently, doctors discovered there was an issue with his right ankle also. After sending him for MRI, they found out he had a broken bone in his ankle along with torn tendons, which means he will need further rehabilitation.
“Unfortunately, the waiting time for surgery is also long and private surgery will cost €6,000. He also will need more rehabilitation post-surgery so he can get back on his feet. Kamil is also in need of a new wheelchair that will allow him to be more mobile and be able to enjoy the outside world. He is also in need of a special bed for his disability.
“With your help, we can enable Kamil to walk, get home and be happy in his life. He has dearly missed his wife and children over the past eight months as they were not able to visit him in hospital.
“We decided to organise a local raffle in Nenagh, which is going to take part on June 26. It costs €5 per line and there are some great prizes. We are trying to make our raffle as safe as possible for all that take part.
To enter all, you need to do is go to our GoFundMe page, which is https://gofund.me/cdf3a16c and donate a minimum of €5 to get yourself into a draw, screenshot the donation and send it to us on any social media platform so we can provide you with your raffle tickets. Please make sure you send your screenshot of the donation as we will not be provided with any of your information like phone numbers or email addresses. Alternatively, if you are not on social media and wish to make a donation you can ring either of us on the numbers below. On behalf of our family, thank you so much for your support.”
Joanna Kuczawska - 089 4773534; Miriam Bhandar - 089 4647499.