Michalinka’s Fight for Life: A Tiny Warrior Who Won’t Give Up

At just 25 weeks of pregnancy, I gave birth to twins—two tiny lives struggling to take their first breaths. Both girls were born with extreme hypotrophy, fragile and underdeveloped, requiring immediate placement in incubators and connection to respirators. The earliest moments of their lives were a fight for survival. Tragically, Kornelia, my firstborn, lost her battle after just five days. But her sister, Michalinka—our brave Misia—continues to fight, and every day she grows stronger and more resilient.

Michalinka’s early days were filled with unimaginable challenges. Her tiny body endured life-saving interventions that most could never imagine. She underwent multiple surgeries—including heart surgery, umbilical and bilateral inguinal hernia repairs, and eye surgeries. She battled life-threatening conditions such as necrotizing enterocolitis, first- and second-degree hemorrhages, cytomegalovirus, sepsis, and staphylococcus infections. She required several blood transfusions to survive, each one a reminder of her fragility and her determination to keep fighting.

For over five months, Michalinka remained on a respirator, her delicate lungs damaged by the prolonged support she needed to breathe. Every day was a struggle, and each tiny breath was a triumph of resilience over adversity. Despite these hardships, Michalinka has never given up, and neither have we. Our daughter is a fighter in the truest sense of the word.

Today, Michalinka still faces significant medical challenges. To reach her best possible health, she requires ongoing care from private specialists, including a neurologist, physiotherapist, osteopath, and pulmonologist, alongside support from the National Health Fund and hospice services. Each of these treatments is vital to her continued development and to ensuring she can lead the fullest life possible.

Rehabilitation is particularly critical. Physiotherapy sessions allow her to strengthen her muscles, develop coordination, and improve her overall functionality. In addition, Michalinka needs a concentrator to support her daily activities, allowing her to breathe more easily during walks, car rides, and everyday adventures. This equipment, while simple in appearance, represents freedom, independence, and a chance for her to experience life more fully.

Michalinka is an active child with an extraordinary spirit. Despite all the obstacles she has faced, she exhibits curiosity, energy, and a will to explore the world around her. She has an incredible chance to function normally, to grow, learn, and one day experience life like any other child. But for this to happen, she needs consistent medical care, therapy, and specialized equipment.

As parents, we will do everything in our power to help her reach her potential. We have spent countless hours in hospitals, clinics, and therapy sessions, fighting for every small improvement and milestone. Every smile, every tiny gesture of progress, fills our hearts with hope and reminds us of why we continue this journey. But we also know that our efforts alone are not enough. Michalinka needs additional support—help that we cannot provide alone.

That is why we decided to start this fundraiser. We believe in the goodness of others and in the power of community to make a real difference in the life of a child who has already fought so hard. Any contribution, no matter the size, will bring tangible improvements to Michalinka’s daily life. It will allow her to attend rehabilitation sessions, receive specialized medical care, and access equipment that can make even simple activities, like taking a walk or a car ride, possible.

Our hope is that through the support of generous people, Michalinka will have the opportunity to grow, thrive, and overcome the many challenges that have marked the beginning of her life. She is a tiny warrior, full of potential, courage, and a desire to live fully. With your help, she can continue her journey toward the healthiest and happiest life possible.

Every contribution, every share of our story, every kind word makes a difference. It provides hope, practical support, and a reminder that Michalinka is not alone in her fight. Together, we can give her the tools she needs to develop optimally, to overcome her challenges, and to experience the joys of childhood she so richly deserves.

Michalinka’s story is one of resilience, courage, and the incredible strength of the human spirit—even in the smallest bodies. She has already faced more than many will in a lifetime, and yet she continues to fight, smile, and inspire everyone who meets her. We will not rest until she has the chance to experience the best life possible, filled with opportunities, growth, and love.

Please join us in supporting Michalinka. Your generosity can change her world, give her the care she desperately needs, and help her continue her fight for life. Together, we can make a meaningful difference for our tiny warrior, Misia, and give her the hope and support she deserves.

Champ the Two-Legged Chihuahua: A Tiny Hero Who Saved His Owner’s Life

For Andrew Kuzyk, it was supposed to be just another quiet evening at home. But the calm was shattered in an instant by an urgent, unusual whine. His two-legged Chihuahua, Champ, leapt onto his chest, pawing and yipping in a way Andrew had never seen before.

Moments later, Andrew felt a crushing tightness in his chest. Alarmed, his wife Pamela didn’t hesitate—she called 911. Within minutes, paramedics were at their door, rushing Andrew to the hospital. What followed was a medical emergency that would have claimed his life if not for timely intervention. Surgeons discovered a massive blockage in Andrew’s heart. During the operation, his heart actually stopped—not once, but twice. Each time, skilled hands and rapid intervention brought him back. Andrew survived, but he knew that this was no ordinary coincidence.

Champ, small and brave, had been his silent guardian for years. Born without two legs and rescued from abandonment, Champ is one of six special-needs Chihuahuas that Andrew and Pamela care for. Despite his tiny frame and physical challenges, Champ had an uncanny ability to sense danger. He had warned Andrew before, years earlier, with the same urgent behavior that preceded the discovery of Andrew’s brain cancer.

“I know for sure that without Champ, I wouldn’t be here,” Andrew said. “He’s not just a pet. He’s my protector, my warning system, my reminder of hope. And of course, my faith and my wife saved me too—but Champ is extraordinary.”

The bond between man and dog goes beyond companionship. Champ’s actions demonstrate a rare intuition, a sensitivity to his owner’s body and emotions that seems almost supernatural. For Andrew, it’s clear: this tiny dog has been watching over him, alerting him to dangers that might have gone unnoticed until it was too late.

What makes Champ’s story even more extraordinary is what happened during the latest emergency. As Andrew collapsed, Champ’s instinct kicked in immediately. Despite having only two legs, he acted without hesitation, climbing onto Andrew’s chest and refusing to leave his side. His urgent behavior triggered Pamela’s swift response, ultimately saving Andrew’s life. The couple describes that moment as nothing short of miraculous—proof that the bond between a human and his dog can transcend size, age, and physical limitations.

Champ’s heroism isn’t just a one-time story; it’s a lifetime of love, protection, and quiet bravery. He reminds us that courage doesn’t always come in large packages and that sometimes the smallest, most vulnerable among us can have the biggest impact.

Today, Andrew, Pamela, and Champ continue to live their lives with gratitude, knowing how fragile life can be and how extraordinary love and loyalty truly are. Every wag of Champ’s tail, every tiny paw print across the living room, is a reminder that miracles can come in the smallest forms, and heroes sometimes wear fur instead of capes.

In the end, Champ isn’t just a dog who survived his own hardships—he’s a dog who ensures others do too. His story is a testament to the deep, unspoken connections that exist between humans and their pets, and to the extraordinary lengths love and loyalty can go to protect those we cherish.