Helping Szymon Be Understood

My name is Ewelina, and I am a single mum to an incredible 13-year-old boy called Szymon.

Szymon lives with autism spectrum disorder, and while many people see a smiling boy with a big personality, what they don't always see are the daily challenges he faces simply trying to understand the world around him and make himself understood.

As a single parent, there is nothing more difficult than watching your child struggle to communicate what they need, how they feel, or why they are upset. There are times when Szymon becomes overwhelmed by emotions he cannot explain. Changes to routine, unfamiliar situations or frustration can become so overwhelming that he lashes out, damages things around him or hurts himself. Not because he wants to, but because he cannot always find another way to tell me what is happening inside.

Those moments are heartbreaking. As his mum, all I want is to help him feel safe, understood and heard.

Despite the challenges he faces every day, Szymon is truly amazing. He has the biggest smile, a wonderful sense of humour and a determination that inspires me constantly. He loves music, technology, sensory play, taking photographs and videos, and he finds joy in things that many of us might overlook. When he is happy, his happiness fills the whole room.

Szymon has worked incredibly hard to make progress. With specialist support he is developing his communication skills and learning new ways to express his needs and feelings. Every new word, every successful interaction and every small step forward is a huge achievement that we celebrate together.

But Szymon's journey is far from over. He still needs significant support with communication, emotional regulation, sensory processing and developing the skills that will help him become more independent as he grows older.

Raising a child with complex additional needs on my own brings emotional, physical and financial challenges. Every day is centred around making sure Szymon feels safe, supported and understood. I want to give him every possible opportunity to thrive, experience new things, build confidence and access the specialist resources that can help him reach his full potential.

This fundraiser is about giving Szymon those opportunities. It is about helping him communicate more effectively, reducing the frustration and anxiety that can overwhelm him, and helping him build a future where he feels more confident, more independent and more connected to the world around him.

Every donation, no matter the size, will make a genuine difference. If you cannot donate, simply sharing Szymon's story would mean so much to us.

Thank you for taking the time to read about my wonderful son and for helping us give him the support he deserves.

Funds raised will go towards sensory equipment, communication support, specialist activities and resources that help Szymon feel safe, regulated and able to thrive. ❤️

7.5% of all donations to Tree of Hope in relation to this appeal will be allocated to the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope to cover our core operating costs.

If we raise insufficient funds, or surplus funds, then the funds will be used, if appropriate, to fund support for our child’s needs in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objects. If in those circumstances we are unable to use all or part of the funds for the benefit of our child in accordance with Tree of Hope’s charitable objectives, then any funds that cannot be used will be transferred to be used for the general charitable purposes of Tree of Hope.