Animations that help children fight the fear of surgery
He, in turn, reinforces the sense of uncertainty and anxiety about the results of treatment. For children, hospitalization is particularly difficult. Treatments for orthopedic conditions, followed by rehabilitation, offer a chance to break up prolonged suffering, but limit young patients' contact with loved ones and peers, which is contrary to their natural needs.
Drs. Michal and Marta Tomczuk of the Children's Activity Center Skakanka skakanka.com.pl, which works with the Paley European Institute, talk about how to help the youngest prepare for medical consultations and surgeries.
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June 18, 2026
Clubfoot isn't the end of the world
Clubfoot is a congenital defect that is present at birth. It is characterized by a specific foot alignment consisting of four elements: plantar flexion, heel varus, cavus deformity, and forefoot adduction. A foot deformed in this way resembles a golf club in shape, hence the English name for the condition, “clubfoot.” In Poland, this condition affects approximately 1 in 1,000 newborns. As Dr. Kapiński explains, the key […]
June 18, 2026
Monika's Story: How Osseointegration Restored Her Freedom After 36 Years of Living with an Amputation
Monika has been living with an amputated leg for 36 years. Over the past 15 years, she has struggled with increasing difficulties related to her socket prosthesis, which at one point brought her to the brink of deciding to switch to a wheelchair. Her story is a journey toward osseointegration, an innovative method involving the implantation of a prosthesis directly into the bone, which eliminates the need for […]
June 18, 2026
The Process of Obtaining a Disability Determination for a Child, Step by Step
A diagnosis of a disability in a child is an enormous emotional challenge for parents. Shortly thereafter, however, another equally difficult task arises: navigating the maze of procedures and bureaucracy. Natalia Gos, a physician assistant at the Paley European Institute who has been helping families through this process for years, shares practical insights on how to effectively obtain the necessary documents and support […]