Take Care of Maya Illness, Why was Maya Kowalski in Hospital? What Disease Did Maya Kowalski Have?
by Maivizhi A
Updated Jun 24, 2023
Take Care of Maya Illness
The tragic story of Maya Kowalski, a 10-year-old who experienced unexplained pain, and her family's quest for treatment, is the subject of the compelling new Netflix documentary, Take Care of Maya. Maya's family, known as the Kowalskis, faced numerous challenges in their pursuit of a diagnosis and assistance for her condition, ultimately leading to accusations of medical child abuse.
In 2016, Maya received a misdiagnosis suggesting that her symptoms were caused by Munchausen's syndrome by proxy, a condition in which a caregiver fabricates a history of illness. Medical professionals initially suspected Maya's mother, Beata Kowalski, of intentionally causing her daughter's illness.
Consequently, Maya was placed in the hospital for three months under the jurisdiction of the state of Florida. During this period, she was separated from her mother and only permitted supervised visits with her father. Tragically, Beata succumbed to suicide shortly after being falsely accused of harming her daughter. The documentary delves into the harrowing journey to reunite Maya with her father, shedding light on the profound emotional toll it exacted.
While the film examines Maya's misdiagnosis and the custody battle, viewers are left with a curiosity about the actual underlying health issue behind Maya's pain. Below, you'll find comprehensive information regarding her medical condition.
Why was Maya Kowalski in the Hospital?
As described in the documentary, Maya Kowalski is a person who has been diagnosed with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS), a rare chronic condition that causes pain and burning sensations in the extremities. The symptoms Maya experienced included respiratory problems, body aches, lethargy, headaches, blurred vision, and difficulties with walking.
Maya received her CRPS diagnosis in 2015, a year before she sought treatment at Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital in St. Petersburg, Florida, to address a flare-up of her symptoms. Initially, her treatment involved undergoing an experimental "ketamine coma" that provided temporary relief from her symptoms.
However, doctors at Johns Hopkins grew concerned about the healthcare choices made by Maya's parents, particularly suspecting that Beata, Maya's mother, may have been fabricating her daughter's illness. Consequently, an investigation into potential abuse was initiated, leading to Maya being swiftly separated from her parents.
What Disease Did Maya Kowalski have?
Maya's health struggles encompassed various distressing symptoms. She frequently experienced headaches, stomach pain, and asthma attacks, in addition to enduring painful lesions on her arms and legs. To compound her suffering, Maya also endured severe cramping in her feet, which severely restricted her mobility to the point where she could no longer walk.
Beata, Maya's late mother, believed that Maya's condition was Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a medical condition that is not yet fully understood. According to the National Health Service (NHS), CRPS entails persistent, severe, and debilitating pain. While it is believed to be triggered by an injury, the resulting pain surpasses the intensity and duration typically associated with such injuries. Typically, CRPS affects one limb, although it can occasionally extend to other areas of the body.
In CRPS, the affected body part's skin becomes extremely sensitive, causing even a slight touch, bump, or change in temperature to induce intense pain. Additionally, the affected areas may exhibit swelling, stiffness, or undergo fluctuating changes in color or temperature.
The NHS indicates that CRPS often exhibits gradual improvement over time; however, in some cases, the pain can persist for years, leading to long-term suffering.
In a troubling turn of events, child protective investigators accused Beata of engaging in "doctor shopping" and child medical abuse. Allegations included pursuing multiple medical treatments, such as taking Maya to Mexico for a controversial ketamine coma therapy, which is not legally available in the United States.
Maya had previously undergone a "ketamine coma" for a duration of five days, aiming to reset her nervous system. Initially, Maya felt that the treatment had been effective. Unfortunately, a year later, she was rushed back to the hospital due to excruciating stomach pain. Subsequently, Beata faced accusations of Munchausen by proxy, a condition where a child's caregiver either fabricates false symptoms or causes actual symptoms to make it appear as though the child is sick.
Presently at the age of 17, Maya continues to reside in Florida with her father Jack and her brother Kyle. Regrettably, she still endures severe pain in her arms and legs, persisting as a constant reminder of her ongoing struggle.
Where is Maya Kowalski Now?
Maya, who is currently 17 years old, resides in Venice, Florida, along with her father, Jack, and her brother, Kyle. Unfortunately, court orders have prohibited the Kowalski family from pursuing ketamine treatments, resulting in Maya's recovery being slow and more agonizing than necessary, according to PEOPLE. Although over a year has passed since her discharge from All Children's Hospital, Maya has managed to regain the use of her legs. However, she continues to live with CRPS, a chronic condition.
In their pursuit of justice, the Kowalski family has initiated legal proceedings, and the trial for their lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children's Hospital has been scheduled for September 11, 2023. Prior to this, the family reached a settlement with Dr. Sally Smith, who mistakenly diagnosed Maya with symptoms associated with Munchausen's by proxy and played a role in separating Maya from her parents. The settlement amount reached with Dr. Sally Smith was $2.5 million
Take Care of Maya Illness - FAQs
Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) is a condition characterized by severe and debilitating pain that exceeds what would be expected from an injury.
Maya experienced a range of symptoms, including respiratory problems, body aches, lethargy, headaches, blurred vision, difficulties with walking, painful lesions on her arms and legs, cramping in her feet, and extreme sensitivity in affected areas.
Maya Kowalski was diagnosed with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS), a rare chronic condition characterized by severe and persistent pain in the extremities.
Maya Kowalski currently resides in Venice, Florida, with her father Jack and her brother Kyle.
Yes, Maya continues to live with chronic pain caused by CRPS. Her recovery has been slow and challenging, as court orders have prevented her from pursuing certain treatments that could alleviate her suffering.