Story posted Wednesday, June 24, 2009
Paul Pietrowski, his mother, Marzenna, father Darek, and Paul's date, Stormie, on Paul's prom night.
Paul's A Fighter, But Family Could Still Use A Hand
Seeking Donations To Help Fund Trip To Ukraine For Treatments
By DENISE FLEISCHER Lifestyle Editor
Former Des Plaines resident, Paul Pietrowski, loves playing wheelchair basketball and swimming. He had a great time at his senior prom and graduated high school with his peers.
At 18-years-old, he is determined to focus on his future in graphic design, but he has something to deal with first.
Pietrowski was born with Duchene's Muscular Dystrophy. He's struggled to beat the odds, developing the ability to write, feed himself, hold up textbooks and do his homework. He loves working on the computer and getting around in his electric wheelchair. While his mother, Marzenna, plays a major role as his caregiver, there is something he needs, now, that can't be provided by his family. Pietrowski is several months behind in receiving another round of a myoblast transfer treatment. His family must travel to the Ukraine for him to receive it. That takes money for airfare and that's what they need.
"Paul loves watching football, basketball and using his computer," according to Lenny Thorne, owner of Why Not Aluminum, Paul's father's employer, "but he has spent most of his time withdrawn because of his condition. He wasn't able to do things kids his age are doing."
Thorne saw the Jacobs High School community in Algonquin, where Pietrowski went to school after moving from Des Plaines, come together for him.
"They sold T-shirts with his name on it and provided donations to the Paul Pietrowski Foundation (www.savepaul.org), which I established," said Thorne, who resides in Des Plaines and is involved in the Neighbors Helping Neighbors program, part of special services of the City of Des Plaines.
Thorne's contribution to the Pietrowskis' mission comes through offering to clean out gutters this summer and fall and then donating 100% of those proceeds to the Paul Pietrowski Foundation. For information, call 847-297-0101.
"We need the money for the airfare to go to the Ukraine," said Darek Pietrowski, Paul's father. "The last time we went to the Ukraine was a year ago and we're now four to five months behind. Paul spends three days in the hospital. He receives one shot and IV each day and on the last day 3-4 big shots in the stomach."
According to his father, Paul never feels sick after the shots. In fact, he says he feels stronger. Paul's parents are originally from Poland. The Pietrowski family lived in Des Plaines for 12 years before moving to Carpentersville.
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