Support when life takes a difficult turn

Curiosity turned into crisis when Rodrigo, a playful boy and the son of an employee from JTJ Sonneborn Industrie, Germany, accidentally swallowed a small lithium battery from his toy car. What followed was surgeries, weeks in intensive care, and two cardiac arrests. Today, Rodrigo is recovering – he is back at school, jumping on the trampoline, and exploring the world with his usual curiosity. Life now requires extra care, but his family is deeply grateful for the support received.

For most children, a birthday treat or a new food is simple. For Sara, the daughter of an employee from DOVISTA Polska, Poland, it can be life-threatening. She lives with severe allergies to milk, sesame, nuts, and even wasp stings, so every meal and outing must be carefully planned. One of the most vital things for Sara’s safety is always having her adrenaline pen close at hand. With support from the Employee Foundation, her family could ensure she has everything she needs to stay safe – and to focus more on enjoying life, not fearing it.

Philip is the son of an employee from Østbirk Bygningsindustri, Denmark. He is a bright 10-year-old boy with ADHD. In a noisy classroom, every sound can steal his focus, making schoolwork a real challenge. Thanks to the Employee Foundation’s support, Philip now has headset and phone so he could listen to music while studying – small tools that make a big difference. He needs fewer breaks, has more energy, and approaches school with new confidence and joy

Since birth, Manon, the daughter of an employee from KH-SK France, France, has been deaf in her right ear. Doctors recently recommended hearing aids, two devices that work together so the right one can transmit sound to the left. But only the impaired ear’s device was covered by insurance, leaving Manon without the full system she needed. With help from the Employee Foundation, she was able to get both. Now, Manon can fully follow her classes and feels confident learning to drive.

Esben Hauge Olesen has been with Gåsdal Bygningsindustri A/S, Denmark, since 2006 and now works as an automation programmer at the Technology Centre in Skjern.

In 2023, he developed sudden stomach pain that worsened over time and made it difficult to eat. He was diagnosed with Crohn’s disease and eventually underwent surgery to remove the affected part of his intestine. He lost nearly 30 kg and faced several re-hospitalisations.

Throughout his recovery, Esben received strong support from his manager and colleagues. He says the Employee Foundation’s assistance made him feel valued and eased his concerns about being away from his team. He has since recovered and returned to work, feeling well and adapting to his condition.

László Tóth, husband of Mónika Benke-Tóth (VELUX Magyarország LKR Kft., Hungary), suffered a sudden heart attack of unknown cause and later had a pacemaker implanted. After 53 days in hospital and a rehabilitation stay in a sanatorium, he is well on the way to recovery.

The family received strong support from relatives, colleagues, and friends during this difficult period. Mónika says the Employee Foundation’s financial support helped with László’s continued rehabilitation and brought relief for the children.

Bartosz Friedrich is an employee at NB Polska, Poland, and a devoted father of three children. His five-year-old son, Filip, was diagnosed with a genetic sight defect: his right eye is fully healthy, while his left eye has only 20% function.

With the help of glasses, Filip’s eyesight improved to 50% and he now enjoys playing with LEGO®, doing puzzles and drawing. He willingly puts the glasses on by himself, which underlines the impact they have on his life and well-being. Filip needs an eye operation in the future.