SLOVENIA'S 5 CORE VALUES

I got pregnant right after I graduated from high school. The pregnancy was beautiful, but the birth was very critical. My son had to be transported from the maternity hospital in Kranj to Ljubljana immediately after birth. There began our long and difficult chapter - we spent almost two years in hospital together.

During this time, my boyfriend lost his job, so we were both unemployed. The hardest part was the fact that my son, after several operations and a long fight for his life, was left with almost no intestines. He needed a special parenteral nutrition machine to survive. The nurses patiently taught me how to handle him, and we set up a special corner at home where we could finally bring him - albeit with the machine.

There was only one thing missing: two stands for the appliance and the food. The price of one stand was 60 euros, so we would have needed 120 euros for everything, and we had nothing. That night we sat by my son's cot and talked quietly about how we could save money or where we could borrow money. We didn't know how to go on.

Our conversation was overheard by a mum who was sharing a room with her other son for one night only. She went home the next day and we stayed. As she was saying goodbye, she came up to me, hugged me and quietly handed me an envelope. When she had gone, I opened it - inside was exactly 120 euros. Next to the money was a small slip of paper which read: for the racks.

I still get teary-eyed when I remember that moment. A complete stranger, who had only seen us for one night, helped us in a way that meant everything to us at the time. It was proof that there are people with big hearts and that it can be in difficult times, the warmth of another human being is the most beautiful gift.

Later, a true miracle happened - my son recovered to the point where he no longer needed the device. Although the doctors initially said he would be dependent on it for the rest of his life, he grew up to be a lively, special boy. We donated the stands that a stranger helped us buy to a nurse at the health centre so that she could help someone else with them.

My boyfriend at the time has been my husband for a long time. We have three children, in addition to our special son, and we both work in jobs we love. Although the beginnings were full of fear, pain and uncertainty, today I look back on it all with deep gratitude.

Our special child is the one who connects us even more and teaches us what really matters in life - love, perseverance and the kindness of the people who cross our paths."

When someone offers you a hand, you realise that whatever the situation, you are not alone. Sometimes just one sincere gesture is enough to turn your life around. And for that you are forever grateful.

Maja Grošelj, 24 Aug 2025