Our foundation has received professional recognition many times; still the greatest pleasure for us is seeing our children’s achievements and seeing them succeed in life. We welcome with thanks all these personal stories, which many times provide the greatest motivation for children and their families just starting therapy.

Mátyás Aux

With our child “Matyi” we came to the Gézengúz Foundation for examinations and status assessment in September 2003. The then only 2 months-old baby is now a young man attending first grade, and by now we clearly understand the extent and nature of his disability and partial capability disorder due to his pre-term birth. But back then we did not understand all this, and only at the suggestion of a friend had we come to the Foundation with the slightly prematurely born baby. During the next several months it turned out that his pre-term birth on the 34th week and various associated problems (general infection during the first 5 days, circulatory disorders, dilation of ventricles) resulted in delayed movement development, by now relatively light disability and issues with certain areas of learning (graphomotor skills, attention deficit, difficulties in eye-hand coordination).

After all the hospital wards we attended it was a pleasant experience to arrive at the building in Békásmegyer, where examinations, and later therapy sessions took place in a fun, colorful and relaxed snug. But beyond the furniture it was even more important for us that the therapists behaved “fun, colorful and relaxed”, the cooperation that developed quickly and easily, the patience and attention, how they answered all our anxious and impatient questions, and how with a total approach they presented professionalism, empathy and attention. Besides motor control development all other areas were also assessed and we could take advantage of most of the development programs provided by the Foundation. Besides regular individual movement therapy swimming was a major method for developing Matyi, and during our talks and the examinations we received information about several other means as well. We discussed and used these methods and a certain kind of continuous discussion and consultation evolved regarding the development of our baby boy, which led to a long term development strategy we followed.

Matyi is now in first grade in the “Give-a-chance” (“Esélyteremtő”) class of the Pető Institute, where basically they prepare him for integration as soon as possible. He can walk on his own, can even “run” in his own special way, climbs trees, swims, does gymnastics and learns to play the drum. He learned to read and write by his final year of nursery school. He has serious difficulties in holding the pencil and hand writing, but can flawlessly handle the keyboard. He writes anything with correct spelling and can tell and listen to all kinds of stories endlessly. He has an especially good memory, sophisticated hearing and talent for music and a cool humor. Oh, and he is also in love!

During our years with Gézengúz we grew fond of the headquarters in Budakalasz, it was always a pleasure to visit among its stylish and tastefully decorated walls for exercises, swimming, making camp and examinations. The Christmas holidays became real celebrations for us with the people we – I think I can say without exaggeration – became friends with during the years spent together at Gézengúz.

We thank them for helping us on our journey with their knowledge, attention and loving care, and for enormously contributing to Matyi becoming capable of leading an independent life, and becoming a smart child with – compared to the initial state – very good mobility.

Niki Rácz

On the 14th of June, 2008, a 11 years old little girl won a gold, 2 silver and a bronze medals in swimming during a championship in Bratislava, which brought her to appear on the world rankings. Big happiness, proud parents, a satisfied coach, touched grandparents and friends. This contest was the Slovakia Cup in swimming for the disabled.

Niki was born 11 years ago with limb imperfection, her fingers and palm didn`t come along on the left arm.

Instead of boundless bliss, there was desperation and dismay in the delivery room. Arms wide open, „... we must take her home, that`s it...”. The first few weeks have gone with helplessness, accusing each other and with the question „...Why is this happening to us?”. These are familiar feelings for many people, I would say.

Our baby girl was 2 month old, when we heard about the Gézengúz Foundation. Making a phone call, fixing an appointment, and we were on our way to the capital, filled with tension, and hope. This meeting has changed our lives, thanks to the colleagues of the foundation and to a lovely bespectacled lady. She was Judit, the doctor.

The doctor examined our daughter extensively first, which was followed by putting her into the bath. We`ve never seen anything like this, and were watching with eyes stunned, how Judit was tugging and spinning our baby girl back and forth. On the top of this, she let it all happen without saying a word.

Judit was really honest: the child`s fingers will obviously not going to erupt, but with overland exercises, and water therapy she`s going to have healthy, strong muscular system, the sense of „two hands” will evolve, and she will be able to live a complete life. We were starting to see the future brighter.

The hard part of course was yet to come. It was not an easy time; the grandparents were running away after the first demonstration, saying we are torturing her. But the first successes gave us back the strength helping us to overcome on our own self-pity, and be able to keep going. We`ve learnt, that our girl will love and adopt herself in the same manner as we adopt and love her.

Many years passed ever since, we are no longer visiting Gézengúz. Back then, Judit not only showed us a path, but gave us GOAL: it is worth fighting. Our girl is now the national champion in her category and age-group, and performed well at the international competitions. She adores swimming, but loves participating in other sports as well. She is the most beautiful little girl, hard-working, outstanding student, ambitious, blithe and energetic. The very thing, what made her who she is now, was the therapy and love, the strong foundation we were given by the Gézengúz Foundation, Judit and her colleagues.

We really do miss this kind of foundation spirit.

Thank You.