# Keď odvaha nie je volba | Martina Kavalírová | TEDxPragueWomen

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fsvyx4dBdBk
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/fsvyx4dBdBk
Generated: 2026-01-27T17:37:03.288+00:00

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## Quick Overview

Martina Kavalírová concludes that true courage involves walking forward despite uncertainty, choosing kindness even when the world is not kind, and loving the current reality rather than just memories, after she and her partner, Honza, navigated his ALS diagnosis and ultimately chose not to proceed with planned assisted suicide when she unexpectedly became pregnant.

**Key Points:**
- Martina found a deeper, more honest love with Honza after an eight-year relationship, proving that love exists after previous love, stating, "Našla som niečo väčšie, krajšie a úprimnejšie."
- Honza received the ALS diagnosis after initial symptoms like hand weakness and difficulty finding his way home, confirming the neurodegenerative disease that systematically takes away muscle control.
- The couple became creative in managing ALS, using straws for drinking and developing a communication system involving written questions taped to the wall when Honza lost the ability to speak or move sufficiently.
- After seven months of rigorous processing, Martina arranged for Honza's planned assisted suicide in Switzerland, realizing the finality of their remaining time together just before the confirmed April date.
- A week after confirming the assisted suicide date, Martina discovered she was pregnant, leading Honza to decide they must proceed with the original plan, which she ultimately could not follow through on.
- Martina asked Honza to stay, recognizing that her heart knew why, and they ultimately canceled the trip, leading to the birth of their daughter, Eliška, who is now one year old.
- Kavalírová defines courage as walking forward without knowing the destination, being kind when the world is not, and loving the current reality, concluding, "Pre mňa je odvaha milovať tú realitu, nielen spomienky."

**Context:** Martina Kavalírová shares her deeply personal story, beginning with meeting her life partner, Honza, after a previous long-term relationship. Their happiness was interrupted when Honza began exhibiting symptoms like hand weakness, leading to the devastating diagnosis of ALS, a progressive neurodegenerative disease.

## Detailed Analysis

The presentation details Martina Kavalírová's journey as the caregiver for her partner, Honza, after he was diagnosed with ALS, an illness that progressively robs the body of muscle function, affecting movement, swallowing, and breathing. Initially, they adapted creatively, using tools like straws and writing systems to communicate and manage daily tasks, including the difficult decision to get a feeding tube when eating became impossible. Despite facing the reality that Honza would eventually require extensive physical assistance, Martina helped him navigate the complex and strict process of arranging for assisted suicide in Switzerland, setting a final date. However, just after confirming this date, Martina discovered she was pregnant. Faced with this ultimate conflict between Honza's desire to die and the impending arrival of their child, Martina asked him to stay, acknowledging that her heart knew why they should live, even if the logic of their situation seemed impossible. They canceled the plans, and their daughter, Eliška, was born. Martina emphasizes that they live not by plans, as they cannot make them, but by their truth, asserting that courage is found in facing reality, continuing forward despite not knowing where they are going, and choosing love and kindness amid hardship.

### Relationship Start and Diagnosis

- Met Honza after a previous relationship, finding a deeper love
- Initial symptoms included failing grip and inability to use keys
- They received the ALS diagnosis at Motol Hospital in Prague.

### Coping with ALS Progression

- ALS takes away all moving muscles, requiring creativity for basic functions like drinking (using straws) and moving Honza (90 kg) from wheelchair to car/bed
- Communication became reliant on written questions taped to the wall.

### The Decision for Assisted Suicide

- After two to three years, Honza requested assisted suicide in Switzerland, a process that took seven months to arrange and confirm a final date in April.

### Unexpected Pregnancy and Reversal

- Martina discovered she was pregnant about a week after confirming the suicide date
- Honza chose to proceed with life, recognizing the difficulty of her caring for both him and a baby.

### The Final Moment of Choice

- On the evening before their departure for Switzerland, Martina asked Honza to stay because she could not bear the thought of regretting not asking
- Honza, who loved life, agreed, leading them to cancel the trip.

### Life After the Decision

- Their daughter, Eliška, celebrated her first birthday, and Martina believes Eliška saved Honza's life by giving him a reason to wait
- Courage is defined as walking forward without knowing the path, being kind, and loving the present reality.