Thirty years and 314 days is the period that made Polish Janusz Świtaj enter the “Book of Records” as the person who spent the longest time on constant use of mechanical ventilationas announced by the Guinness World Records on March 20th.
Świtaj was 17 years old when he lost all his limbs and the ability to breathe on his own. This happened after a traffic accident in 1993, just two weeks before he turned 18 years old.
He spent six years in an intensive care unit before he could go home. “I remember not seeing any more prospects for myself at that time”, recalls Janusz, according to Guinness. “I was left with a lot of unfulfilled youthful dreams.”
The young man fell into a deep depression. Until in 2007, at the age of 32, he asked to discontinue his treatment. The case sparked a national debate in Poland about the legalization of euthanasia.
But the opposite of what Świtaj expected happened: he began to receive attention and help, which included caregivers, an adapted home, a computer that he operates with his mouth and a wheelchair equipped with a portable fan.
All of this has allowed the Polish man to live well today — he travels, goes to sporting events and is currently studying his fourth year of postgraduate studies in cognitive-behavioral therapy. He also uses his story to help people who are going through situations similar to the ones he experienced.
Świtaj even wrote the autobiography 12 Breaths Per Minute (“12 Breaths Per Minute”, in free translation), which he describes as “an account of the dramatic struggle for life, health and human dignity.”
“During my 30 years on a ventilator, I managed to achieve great success in life, met exceptional people and created unforgettable memories”, he says to Guinness. “I sincerely hope that my story inspires those who are struggling with a similar life situation and gives them hope.”
