The Road Back to Herself: Svitlana’s Story

Svitlana, office administrator at the Secretariat of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities in Ukraine (NAIU). Photo by: NAIU
 

Russia's full-scale invasion turned the lives of millions of Ukrainians upside down. It tore apart destinies, ruined plans, and forced thousands of families to leave their homes and seek refuge in unfamiliar cities and villages. But along with the pain came strength — the strength to start from scratch, to rebuild their lives, their communities, and their country. Svitlana's story is a journey from pain and loss to belief in her own strength, support, and self-realization.

In the spring of 2022, when confusion, fear, and uncertainty about the future gripped the residents of Pokrovsk, Svitlana, a girl with a disability, decided to evacuate with her mother and younger sister. It was not an easy decision: to leave her home, friends, and familiar life behind and go abroad. There, in safety, surrounded by new acquaintances, a different language, and a different rhythm of life, Svitlana could not shake the feeling that her heart had remained at home.

"Yes, there were good people and beautiful landscapes around me, but I kept thinking about Ukraine. I wanted to be among my own people, hear my native language, and feel that I was where I truly belonged" she recalls.

Until 2022, she worked in commercial structures, pursued self-education, and was actively interested in public activities. Everything changed with the start of the full-scale war.

In the fall of 2022, Svitlana returned — not to her hometown, where it was still dangerous, but to Kyiv. She had to start from scratch: look for housing, choose an area with convenient transportation, find a family doctor, and get her documents in order. Adapting to life in the capital was not easy — everyday issues took a lot of time and were emotionally draining. Without friends or support — only with faith in herself and inner persistence — she built a new life step by step.

At first, Kyiv seemed foreign, but gradually it became a place where Svitlana once again felt needed. It was here that she learned to see not only difficulties but also opportunities — in people, in things, in every day. The most difficult thing was finding a job. Employers often treated her with prejudice — not everyone understood that a person with a disability can be as active, responsible, and effective as anyone else. But Svitlana did not give up. She tried her hand at various fields, worked in commercial sector, volunteered, and helped other displaced persons — just like herself.

Everything changed thanks to the project “Sustainability and Development of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities in Ukraine,” which is being implemented with the support of UN Women Ukraine and the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF). This project helps strengthen the National Assembly of People with Disabilities, develop its team, and create more opportunities for women with disabilities — so that their voices are louder and their participation in decision-making becomes a reality. 

It is thanks to this project that a new position, office administrator, was created in the NAPD Secretariat. And that is when Svitlana got the chance that completely changed her life — the opportunity to unlock her potential and become part of a great cause. Stories like this confirm the importance of institutional support, which enables NAPD not only to grow but also to create jobs for people with disabilities, opening up new opportunities for their fulfillment. 

Svitlana quickly became part of the team, discovering a new profession for herself. Her attentiveness, organizational skills, and friendliness were immediately noticed by her colleagues.

"When people trust and support you, you begin to believe in yourself even more. For me, our organization is like a second family. Here, I don't just work — I grow, develop, and feel needed. Of course, learning new skills is not easy, but my previous experience in projects, albeit commercial ones, helps me. My higher education has also come in handy. The work is diverse and interesting — there is a lot of it, you just have to keep up!" — Svitlana smiles. 

Svitlana does not limit herself with administrative work. Her volunteer heart, always attentive to the problems of others, strives for more. She has become one of the most active participants in many events and initiatives in NAPD.

In August 2025, Svitlana represented NAPD at the All-Ukrainian Youth Forum. She was actively engaged in working groups and project teams, sharing her experience and new ideas. After the event, Svitlana shared her vision and emphasized the importance of true inclusion:

"Unfortunately, not everyone understands that when we talk about inclusivity, it should be not only on paper, but also in real life — at every event and for every person, regardless of whether they have visual, hearing, or musculoskeletal impairments."

In her free time, she volunteers and enjoys cooking delicious meals for her colleagues. She misses her family, but she doesn't let sadness get better of her. As she says, "The meaning of life is not to wait for things to get easier, but to create that ‘easier’ with your own hands.”

Her story has become an example for many — proof that even after loss and forced change, it is possible to find new meaning and place in life.  

Svitlana demonstrates that self-confidence and support from those around you can overcome any obstacle. Disability or refugee status do not define a person—true strength comes from spirit, the desire to learn and take action. When there is an environment of trust and inclusion, potential that was previously unknown can be revealed.

Her journey is a reminder that love for life, the desire to create, and the will to persevere are stronger than any difficulties or trials.

This project implemented by The National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine,funded by The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with technical support of UN Women Ukraine. The United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) mobilize critical support for local and grassroots civil society organizations working on women, peace and security and humanitarian action. WPHF is a flexible and rapid financing mechanism supporting quality interventions designed to enhance the capacity of women to prevent conflict, respond to crises and emergencies, and seize key peacebuilding opportunities.

This publication and programme were implemented with funding from the United Nations Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), however, the views expressed and content included does not imply official endorsement or acceptance by the United Nations.