THE partner of a Thornbury artist is appealing for help in providing treatment not currently available to her on the NHS.
Piotr Joryn is appealing to the “strong spirit of support and unity” of the community to help raise vital funds for his partner Karolina Jurkiewicz, who he says needs urgent specialist treatment the NHS cannot provide for another eight months.
Piotr and Karolina have known each other since childhood and were both born in the same small town in Poland.
They lost touch when Karolina moved to Germany, aged seven, but met again by chance just over 10 years ago.
He said: “Since then, we’ve been together through everything, as both partners in life and in creative work.”
Piotr said that Karolina has battled neurological issues for years but her symptoms began worsening significantly in 2023.
‘Her mind is sharp, but her body is becoming a prison’
He said: “What started as occasional blackouts has now progressed and she experiences unpredictable episodes of paralysis, seizures, and cognitive impairment lasting hours or even days.”
Piotr despite numerous hospital visits said Karolina’s condition has not been diagnosed and he has been notified that the earliest the NHS can admit her for assessment is in eight months.
He said: “Even then, there is no guarantee that she will receive the right treatment. Given how quickly her condition is deteriorating, waiting that long is not an option.
“Karolina can no longer move on her own, speak, or leave her bed.
“She is completely dependent on care and unable to carry out even the most basic daily tasks.
“Her mind is sharp, but her body is becoming a prison.”
24/7 care
Piotr says he has had to leave his full-time job in logistics to care for “24/7”.
Piotr is desperate to help his partner and has found a private specialist clinic in Poland that focuses on complex neurological cases, but has been told the estimated cost for the 28-day intensive treatment programme is likely to be £10,000.
He said: “Karolina will also require either an ambulance or a medical helicopter, as she is in such a fragile state that a regular journey could be life-threatening.”
Before her illness, Karolina was an active committee member of the Thornbury Art Club and Piotr says she “contributed significantly to local events, including the club’s 59th anniversary celebration”.
He added: “Her dedication has helped foster a creative space for the local community.”
TAC publicity officer Shirley Whyte said: “Karolina is a very talented and inspirational artist.
“She is the club’s IT specialist and has been instrumental in setting up the club’s brand-new website over the last year or so.
“This, and her creative use of social media, has helped re-launch the club’s new image and grow its membership.
“Very sadly she has had to step back from her role because of her current illness. We miss her very much and wish her a speedy recovery.”
Piotr has set up a GoFundMe donation page for his fundraising campaign, named Save the Muse, which can be found at gofund.me/d261e24f.