It all started the day Tosia Matuszewski was born. Her parents Mark and Ania were overjoyed by the birth of their daughter but, to their disappointment, she was taken away after a few short moments of life. When the doctor told them the news, worry overcame them.
“The doctor came in and said ‘you guys should be prepared for the worst. She might not survive,’” Mark said.
Tosia was born with asphyxia, a condition where there is a decrease in oxygen to the body.
From there, Tosia’s fight for her life became an even bigger struggle. After two short days, she suffered from a fourth degree stroke which left the baby with hemiparesis, epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
Her ability to walk is non-existent despite all the medical care provided by physicians.
Despite the struggle the now three-year-old girl faces, she continues to spread joy to her parents and the people she meets by showing off her beautiful smile and contagious laughter.
For every tragic story, there is a silver lining to be found. Because young Tosia is spastic, the ability for her to keep her feet flat on the floor is difficult. However, the Matuszewski family discovered a surgery called Selective Dorsal Rhizotomy. This surgery will help her feet to straighten out and hold her weight as well as allow her to walk. This surgery will take a great deal of recovery time, but hopefully a positive end result.
Tosia’s surgery is scheduled for April 29 of this year, although the cost is a substantial $70,000 USD, well over the family’s budget.
Enter Dave Brown, a sales worker at Integrity Wheels here in Lethbridge. It was an ordinary day when he scrolled through his Facebook and found that a friend had posted a link to the family’s fundraising site along with their story.
“I read Tosia’s story and was immediately moved,” he says. “Sometimes something speaks to you and looking at a picture of how happy she was, with all the misfortunes that had been dealt to her already, I couldn’t help but feel that this is the kind of soul that deserved more.”
Brown met with the family and was even more motivated to help. “The love that Mark and Ania have for their daughter is amazing and Tosia was adorable. I left even more inspired to do this.”
From there on, Brown and a circle of friends who also wanted to help, including Mark D’Agnone, owner of Legends, a venue was decided and a plan was set into motion to fundraise for Tosia’s surgery.
“We all just started calling all of our friends and seeing what people could donate and the response has been nothing short of inspiring.”
The event will be Feb. 16 at Legends Bar and Grill. There will be a prime rib dinner and silent auction which have been filled with charitable donations from around Lethbridge including limo rides, free dinners, free trips and much more. Tickets are $60. Tosia and her family will be in attendance.
When asked about how he felt when Brown offered to help, Mark shook his head in awe. “It’s unreal. I was speechless; I didn’t know what to tell Dave. Words can’t express how much we appreciate what he is doing for us.”
“Hopefully it will change her life,” he says looking at his daughter playing on the floor in front of him with unconditional love.
To learn more about Tosia and the surgery, or how to donate to their cause please go to the “Together for Tosia!” event page on Facebook.