Maya Kowalski, the subject of the popular Netflix documentary Take Care Of Maya, has shared a health update after years of chronic illness. As the documentary details, Maya was rushed to Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida, aged just ten, in October 2016 with severe stomach pain.
In the documentary, her father, Jack Kowalski, described the pain as “so severe, her knees were going up to her chest, and she was screaming.” Upon arriving at the hospital, Maya’s mother, Beata, was accused of child abuse. The staff were concerned that the symptoms appeared to have been faked or inflicted to make the child appear ill.
Child protective services were duly brought in, and Maya was separated from her parents for over three months while Beata underwent psychological evaluation. Beata was ultimately cleared of psychological illness but tragically took her own life 87 days after her daughter was taken out of her care.
In her suicide note, Beata wrote: “I no longer can take the pain being away from Maya and being treated like a criminal. I cannot watch my daughter suffer in pain and keep getting worse.”
In response to the incident, the Kowalski family has filed a lawsuit against Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital, with the first court date expected in September 2023. Maya, who is now 17 years old, was later diagnosed with the rare neurological condition Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CPRS).
“I do my best to push through,” Maya told People earlier this month, adding that she suffers from pain occasionally at night. “I’ve already missed a lot, so I want to make the most of life now.”
“For us as a family to move on, we need to fulfil my mom’s wish and fight. I want justice for my mom,” Maya added in relation to the upcoming trial.
A representative for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital didn’t address the case directly when approached, but stated: “Our first responsibility is always to the child brought to us for care, and we are legally obligated to notify the Department of Children and Families (DCF) when we detect signs of possible abuse or neglect.
“It is DCF that investigates the situation and makes the ultimate decision about what course of action is in the best interest of the child.”
Watch the trailer for Take Care Of Maya below.
