A loving grandfather for his beloved grandson would be able to move heaven and earth. The grandfather of sick Olinka wants to travel around Poland by bike. Although both his spine and knees are screaming at him not to. He has over three and a half thousand kilometers to cover. To collect – the largest possible amount for the boy's treatment.
Day 13, 1500 kilometers already in the legs. Many a 63-year-old, sick tax consultant would consider abandoning the challenge, but not Jan Baranik, known as Olink's grandfather.
– I will not have such hesitation – assures Jan Baranik. – Because of Olek. I believe that thanks to this we will be able to help him – he adds.
Grandpa got angry
We are talking about an eight-year-old. Before the expedition, the grandfather and the rest of the family got the boy back on his feet and are still getting him back on his feet, even though the doctors did not give the prematurely born Aleksander much chance of survival, and then of coping with cerebral palsy, Asperger's syndrome, a urinary tract defect and many other ailments. However, the grandfather was determined. “I travel to help him, to make him as fit as possible,” explains Jan Baranik. “I am capable of doing anything,” he adds.
This is yet another feat with which Jan Baranik publicizes the collection of money for his grandson's expensive, daily rehabilitation, medicines, a new wheelchair and a planned, non-reimbursable surgery. Last year, a man walked half a thousand kilometers in the Beskids.
He travels a hundred kilometers a day
Grandpa Olinka set off from Ustroń. He covers a hundred kilometers a day. Now he can be found near Suwałki, and if all goes well, he will return to Ustroń on August 17.
And only those closest to him know what an effort it is for the grandfather, including his grandson. – He himself was paralyzed, he was supposed to use a wheelchair for the rest of his life, so his spine is quite weak. But he has a bike, where he can stand quite upright – says Agnieszka Jóźwicka, Olinka's mother.
READ ALSO: He set off to Poland again to raise money for Olink's rehabilitation. “Distance doesn't scare me”
He went to Poland again to collect money for Olinka's rehabilitation.Grzegorz Jarecki/Fakty po Południe TVN24
Even though it gets harder with every kilometer and his knees hurt, Grandpa pushes forward and pulls him. Mrs. Ewa, when she heard what his goal was, dropped everything and accompanied him on the route.
– Yesterday we were surprised by a storm. We are riding with smiles all the time, the important thing is that the account is growing – reports Ewa Bedra, a participant of the expedition. If it continues like this, Jan Baranik will reach the finish line in the peloton. – Grandpa never gives up. He shows us all that nothing is impossible – admits Dorota Gardias, a participant of the expedition.
Main image source: TVN Facts