Liwia’s Fight: A Tiny Warrior Facing a Rare and Devastating Disease

From the very beginning, Liwia has faced challenges that most people could scarcely imagine. Born with hyperglycinemia, a rare and incurable metabolic disorder, her young life has been defined by constant struggle. This genetic condition attacks the nervous system, leaving Liwia unable to speak, sit, or walk, and causing drug-resistant epilepsy that threatens every moment of her day. For her family, each gesture, each small movement, is a triumph and a reminder of the uphill battle she faces.

Despite the severity of her condition, Liwia’s parents refuse to give up. Every day is a testament to dedication and love. Intensive rehabilitation, specialist care, and hours of exercise form the backbone of her fight, aimed at maximizing her abilities and giving her the best possible quality of life. For a child whose body does not cooperate, every small step achieved through therapy is monumental — a sign that perseverance and care can yield progress even in the most challenging circumstances.

Liwia’s treatment requires not just daily therapy but also intensive, multi-week rehabilitation sessions several times a year. Each of these sessions is critical, offering specialized care designed to maintain her physical abilities, prevent deterioration, and give her a chance at some level of independence. For her, these sessions are more than exercises; they are lifelines, moments where professional intervention can make tangible differences in her development and daily functioning.

Until now, the family has managed to cover the cost of these vital treatments with the help of friends and relatives, never needing to appeal to the broader community. But the increasing expense of rehabilitation has created a barrier they cannot overcome alone. Each intensive session costs 15,000 PLN, and the family faces upcoming sessions in June and November 2025. Despite their efforts and prior fundraising, they are still short by 25,000 PLN — a sum essential for Liwia to receive the care that is her only hope for progress.

This financial hurdle is more than just numbers; it is the difference between continued improvement and potential regression. Without these sessions, Liwia risks losing hard-earned abilities and the possibility of reaching milestones that give her family hope. Every day without rehabilitation is a day where her fragile gains could slip away, and her parents feel the weight of urgency with every passing moment.

The emotional toll on Liwia’s family is immense. Watching a child struggle, unable to perform tasks that most take for granted, is heartbreaking. Yet, alongside fear and worry, there is pride — pride in every small achievement, every smile, every attempt at movement, and every sign of resilience from their tiny warrior. Liwia’s fight is not hers alone; it is a shared journey of love, determination, and hope that unites her family and inspires everyone who witnesses her courage.

The family’s appeal is simple yet profound: support Liwia in accessing the rehabilitation she desperately needs. Every donation, no matter the size, contributes directly to her sessions, giving her the chance to continue fighting against the limitations imposed by her condition. By contributing, supporters are not just offering money; they are providing hope, opportunity, and a tangible lifeline to a child whose daily existence is already a battle of endurance, courage, and determination.

Liwia’s story is a reminder of the incredible resilience of children facing rare diseases, and of the vital role that community support can play in their lives. While her condition may seem insurmountable, the combined efforts of professionals, family, and compassionate individuals can make a transformative difference. Through rehabilitation, persistence, and care, even a child with such profound challenges can achieve moments of triumph, growth, and improved quality of life.

For those reading this, the opportunity to help Liwia is immediate and impactful. Each act of kindness brings her closer to receiving essential therapy, allowing her to reach milestones that give her family hope and a vision for a future where her potential is nurtured. In a life marked by limitations, these contributions represent freedom, possibility, and the power of collective action to alter the course of a child’s journey.

Liwia may be small, but her fight is immense. She embodies courage, resilience, and determination far beyond her nine months of age. With the support of generous donors, she can continue the rehabilitation that sustains her progress and offers her the best possible chance to thrive. Each session secured, each donation made, and each share of her story extends her opportunity for growth and life-changing improvements.

💜 Liwia’s fight is ongoing, but hope remains within reach. Your kindness can ensure that this tiny warrior receives the care she needs, turning struggle into progress, and giving her a chance to live her life with dignity, strength, and love. Every contribution matters — please help Liwia today, and become part of her journey toward a brighter tomorrow.

Janus, the Two-Headed Tortoise Who Defied the Odds

In the heart of Geneva, Switzerland, lives one of the most unusual and beloved residents of the Natural History Museum: Janus, a two-headed spur-thighed tortoise whose remarkable life story has captivated scientists and visitors alike. Born in 2000, Janus was given his name after the Roman god of transitions and duality, often depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions. Today, at 24 years old, Janus is not only a living symbol of resilience but also a global curiosity, defying every expectation placed upon him at birth.

When Janus first hatched, few believed he would survive for long. His rare condition, known as bicephaly, results from the incomplete splitting of an embryo and leaves an animal with two heads sharing a single body. In the wild, this unusual feature would almost certainly have doomed him. Two heads mean two brains, and with them, conflicting instincts—something as simple as choosing which direction to walk can become a struggle. Add to this the vulnerabilities of exposure, predators, and competition for food, and survival in nature would have been nearly impossible.

But Janus was not left to fend for himself. At the Natural History Museum of Geneva, dedicated caretakers stepped in to give him the specialized attention he needed. Over the years, they have learned to accommodate his quirks—feeding him carefully, monitoring his health with regular veterinary check-ups, and providing him with a safe, enriched environment. Thanks to their devotion, Janus has lived not just a few months or years, but more than two decades, making him one of the longest-lived two-headed tortoises in history.

Janus quickly became a favorite among visitors. Children and adults alike are fascinated by the sight of his two heads moving independently, sometimes cooperating, other times competing. Each head has its own personality: one tends to be bolder and more adventurous, while the other is more cautious. Watching the two work together—or occasionally struggle against each other—offers a rare glimpse into the complexities of bicephaly, a condition that is as mysterious as it is rare.

For scientists, Janus has also provided invaluable insights. His longevity has allowed researchers to study how animals with such profound anomalies can adapt and thrive under the right conditions. While many bicephalic animals, from snakes to turtles, often live short and fragile lives, Janus has shown that with care and protection, survival is possible well beyond what nature typically allows.

More than a scientific case study, however, Janus has become a symbol of resilience and adaptability. His life story speaks to the broader theme of how living beings, no matter how unusual, can flourish when given compassion and support. He challenges the idea of “normal” in the natural world, reminding us that survival is not just about fitting in, but about adapting to unique circumstances with help along the way.

In Geneva, Janus is more than just a tortoise—he is a celebrity. His birthdays are celebrated with special attention, and news of his milestones often makes international headlines. For museum-goers, seeing Janus is not only a chance to marvel at a natural wonder but also an opportunity to reflect on the fragility of life and the strength that can emerge in unexpected forms.

As he continues to thrive, Janus stands as a living testament to the power of care, science, and human curiosity. In a world where survival often depends on conformity, Janus reminds us of the beauty in difference—and the extraordinary stories that unfold when those differences are embraced.