True friendship – now Martha from behind bars is supporting her friend Kasia

Two weeks ago, on Monday, Martha didn’t call to anyone from the family.
The family started to worry, if something happened.
And it happened..
But it was not about Martha…

It turned out, that a true friend of Martha – Kasia – was in need.
She needed some kind words and support.
The first person, who wanted to help her, and worried about her was… Martha…
…from behind bards… from far away…

All week Martha called her family very rarely.
All the time she was calling to Kasia.
Only with those short, six minutes calls she was uplifting Kasia.

We all wished Kasia well, and we were worried.
We’re wery happy, that presumably everything is fine now… If one can say that…

Nothing will destroy true friendship…
Always HELP others, because when you will find yourself in need, help can get back to you from least expected side.
Sometimes you don’t need much to effectively help…

Difficult meeting of Martha “with PAST” – …for the FUTURE?

December was promising to be very emotional for Martha.
There were supposed to be two Christmas meetings: 1. Alternatives to Violence Project Chritmas Dinner (it was held without Martha’s participation) and 2. Annual dinner for “lifers” with their closest ones.
Additionally Martha made some changes to her visitors list.
Temporarily (until end of January 2019) she removed three people from the list to make place for new 3 people, who asked for possibility to meet Martha.
First is Marcin Gromiec (we have published the relations from the meeting with Martha and the “plight before and after”)
Next two people are Martha’s former friends: Anna and Katarzyna.
Martha was wondering if she should consent to their visit.
She wondered if she is ready.
Many years had passed… But wounds remain…
After consulting the family, Martha agreed to those visits.

Everyone is making mistakes, more or less painful.
But if someone reaches with initiative – then everyone deserves a chance…

On Saturday, January 5, 2019, at 3 p.m., there was a meeting after many years.
Martha was visited by her old friend – Anna (earlier Martha received a letter from Anna).
It was a difficult meeting.
It began with welcome and with words “I’m sorry” from the mouth of old friend.
Those words, “I’m sorry”, fell about three times.
It was an honest talk. Face to face…
Calm exchange of views, and talking about everything that hurt before and still hurts.
Martha was calm during the talk.
She saw, that it is hard for an old friend.
It wasn’t easy for Martha also.
Maybe this wasn’t making it easy talk for each other, but it’s important, that such meeting and such talk even happened.
… it will be easier for everyone…
… and we will see what will happen next…

We thank for that meeting…
“No one is without a sin”, but the worst thing is holding to wrong behavior.
We thank for “breaking”,  for coming, for overcoming own fears.
Such action needed much strength.
We notice that and we appreciate.
Maybe some role had Martha’s old friend’s family in this…
Maybe a change happened…
It’s possible, that earlier advice of the family to not step forward, were replaced by advice like “It shouldn’t be this way”…
Maybe it’s an example, that you need only one person to break something, bu to fix it – many people are needed…

Of course one visit will not wipe out many things and many years…
Through these years Martha’s true friends could do very much…
…and they are real support for Martha…
But that’s a start…
And a pattern in some way…
There are many, many more people who should come…
Maybe it’s not about coming itself, but about an appropriate action…
…or a change of previous actions…
…or starting to act at all, when one stood on the sidelines…

Will you change in time?
Will you make it to tell that to Martha?
Will you make it to visit Martha while she’s still in Ireland?
How many years do you need?…

Special arrival of Martha’s friend – Kasia – two short visits

Katarzyna Błaszczyk, a friend of Martha, planned a special arrival to Ireland. She wanted to visit Martha very much.
She didn’t see her for so long.
She arrived on Friday, November 23.
She had little time. Straight from the ariport she was in a hurry to visit Martha.
After half an hour one of the officers wanted to make Kasia leave.
But courageous Polish girl didn’t let him.
She didn’t fly from Poland for this.
She informed the officer, that a visit from Poland is treated as a Special Visit.
Kasia is exceptionally outspoken, direct and firm.

And later, on Saturday, one more short visit, and return to Poland.
She couldn’t even stay for another visit, because she had her return flight to Poland.

Kasia recorded a short video with her phone. Thank yu for sharing it with us.
Tired after the travel via planes and busses Kasia runs to visit Martha…

Thank you very much for this sacrifice and specially visiting Martha.
Martha was very, very glad and happy…
Thank you.

Martha’s friend arrives to Warsaw for the recording of “The Case for the Reporter” program.

Martha’s friend, Katarzyna, who returned to Poland permanently, couldn’t be there for the first part of the recordings for “The Case for the Reporter” program.
And this wasn’t all about huge distance.
But now, on October 25, she did all she could to be on the recordings in Warsaw.
She left after her work.
She had such connection, that she had to ride all night, even longer.
Martha’s family had only few hours of ride to Warsaw.
Kasia rode 3 times longer.
When Martha’s family was leaving their home, Kasia, after 9 hours trip, was arriving to Warsaw.

Four people from Martha’s side participated in the recordings.
Three from Martha’s family, and her friend – Kasia.
Kasia is one of people who are bold and direct.
She knows Martha’s case in tiniest details.
Knowing Martha, knowledge about the facts of the case and Kasia’s character made that she wanted to speak in the running discussion multiple times.
But the discussion of experts was so vivid, that…
…she made it…
…only once…

Was it worth to travel so long?
…And yet you have to come back home… to the family…
…alone… so many kilometers… Must go to work on the next day…
…must  arrive to work… in the morning… not get late…

We wholeheartedly thank Martha’s True Friend – Kasia for all of her acrtions she undertakes for Martha’s good.

Thank You – 1. Katarzyna Blaszczyk

In this case to say, that a friend in need is a friend indeed, is to say nothing.
SHE IS A TRUE FRIEND.
Since the moment of accident, March 26, 2013, she supports Martha in everything.
From the beginning, she acted for Martha’s good as much as she could.
Always sincere.
Even in the tough situations, she could find possibly best solutions.
Tough decisions, difficult arrangements, all were made in a tight circle of four women: Martha, Monika (Martha’s sister), Martha’s Mum, and Katarzyna.
In the circle of Katarzyna and Monika, the decision was made to change the attorney as fast as possible.
Sadly, Martha was already in jail, and she couldn’t be firm enough towards the first attorney.
(The change of attorneys, not without problems, was only achieved on May 20, 2018. Far too late.)
Later the decision to go to Irish media was made (Independent was chosen)

One true friend is worth more than a thousands of colleagues.

A halloween gift from Martha for her friend, Kasia’s daughter