'I still believe he will recover'

One year on from his tragic accident in Poland, the family and friends of Dariusz Swierkoz have launched a new appeal for funds to help him continue with ongoing rehabilitation.
Mixed martial arts fighter Dariusz (38) is a founding member of the Nenagh Warriors gym. He and his wife Justyna grew up in Nenagh; they met as staff at the local Lidl supermarket where they had worked for many years.
Last January, Dariusz suffered a serious spinal injury while playing with one of his two sons on a trampoline while on holiday in his native country. The injury rendered him paralysed from the neck down. He is still in Poland receiving treatment but has hopes of eventually returning to Nenagh.
In her renewed appeal for funding, Justyna said her husband is quadriplegic and needs a respirator that helps him breathe. “He has been in rehabilitation for a year now and we can see some positive results - he's now able to breathe by himself for seven hours a day and has regained some of the feeling below his shoulders, so there is progress.” 
“However, we still need a very intense rehabilitation for him that unfortunately we cannot afford. I would like to ask you for support. I still believe he will recover and get back to a normal life. 
“I know that if he has the chance to be rehabilitated, he is going to do everything that he can. He's a sportsman and he knows that it's important not to give up and stay determined.
“Besides, he has a loving wife and two sons (two-year old Leon and four-year old Janek); he's doing this for them mostly. They are his motivation,” Justyna said. 
“We don't want to lose hope for a better future. I want my husband to be able to finally hold his wonderful sons in his arms.” 
“We greatly appreciate any efforts to help Dariusz and his family, and will be holding a few local fundraisers to send to them. We hope to see him back in Nenagh in 2020!”

HOW TO DONATE

To help, you can donate on the ‘Dariusz Rehabilitation Fund’ page on the www.gofundme.com website.