My dreams

Ryszard Riedel, the legendary leader of the band Dżem, once said that a person who stops dreaming stops living. Fortunately, I have never stopped dreaming, although my dreams have significantly evolved over the years, and the line between longing and dreaming often blurred.

At first, my only dream was to get out of the wheelchair as quickly as possible. I believed so strongly that this dream would surely come true that I didn't even consider that it might never happen. I wasn't interested in partial improvement; I wanted a complete return to health. I couldn't imagine spending the rest of my life in a "chair with wheels." Now, over twenty-five years after my diving accident, I dream of my health not deteriorating, of not having urological issues, and of living as long as possible without losing my current abilities.

Still, I long for / dream of being free. By being free, I mean the ability to perform all life activities without anyone's assistance and the sense of responsibility for myself. I envy those who can do whatever they want at any given moment and are not dependent on anyone else. When healthy, one doesn't appreciate such simple activities as being able to wash oneself, eat, or go out of the house independently. That is what I miss most in life, and I cannot stop longing for it, despite so many years having passed since my spinal cord injury.

Besides dreams that will be hard to fulfill, I also have dreams that I am realizing thanks to my friends. I've been able to enjoy several interesting trips thanks to my friend from the travel agency Arko-Travel https://www.arko-travel.pl/.
I really wanted to visit my favorite Wrocław (Poland), go up to the observation deck of the Sky Tower, and admire the beautiful panorama of the city. I managed to be there, and during that same trip, I visited the Śląsk Wrocław Stadium. I also saw the renovated Wrocław train station, where I spent a lot of time waiting for trains to Legnica while studying at the university.
Another interesting trip I managed to take was to the Motoclasic event in Ślęza. Close to the Topacz Castle, where this vintage car rally took place, lives my friend, which allowed us to rest in his garden in a homely atmosphere after we got tired of looking at beautiful vehicles.
During my next trip to the capital of Lower Silesia, I was able to see the Afrykarium that Wrocław Zoo takes pride in. It was amazing to see stingrays, sharks, manatees, turtles, and other animals in huge aquariums.
I also had the chance to sail on a sailboat, thanks to the Association of People with Disabilities, which organizes "Sails Without Barriers" once a year, and the Foundation for Active Rehabilitation, with which I attended a camp in Kołobrzeg. It was wonderful to sway on the water again and spend time close to nature.

However, the most incredible dream that I was able to fulfill was a tandem skydiving jump. Those few dozen seconds spent in the air are the most amazing time I've had since moving around in a wheelchair. You can read more about dreams that have come true in the Tourism and Extreme Sports sections. Currently, what's most on my mind is diving among the coral reefs in Egypt and a several-day trip to the Tri-City.

I hope to realize these dreams soon and be able to share interesting stories and cool photos. Once, when someone told me that the greatest limitation is one's own mind, those were empty words to me. Now, however, I believe that there is a lot of truth in that. If you do not open your mind to new dreams and ideas, it is really hard to enrich your monotonous and difficult life, even in the smallest way. Recently, I heard an interesting saying: "Every dream is given with the power of its realization." I will hold on to that and do not intend to be discouraged by the obstacles that will surely arise.
I have come a long way, but I am glad that I am increasingly squeezing as much out of life as I can and not caring about those who believe that people with disabilities should sit at home in front of the television and expect nothing more, as long as they are warm and well-fed.