November 30, 2024
News
5-year-old twins Valeria and Daryna have been in a wheelchair since birth. Every outing in their native Uzhhorod in western Ukraine is a challenge for them. “The streets and buildings are not well suited for people with disabilities, but my children need conditions for development, not isolation,“ says their mother Natalia. Thanks to Caritas Czech Republic, the city now has its first inclusive playground, giving Valeria and Daria a place to play, grow, and connect.
Natalia cares for her daughters day and night
“My day starts at 5 AM and ends at night,“ Natalia tells us as we leave her yard for the local park. In the morning, she prepares food for her daughters. All dishes have to be healthy and well-grounded. During the day, the family visits a masseur and a psychologist. Both girls have cerebral palsy, and Valeria has a number of other diseases, which leave her almost immobile and unable to eat on her own. “Unfortunately, neither medications nor procedures help Valeria…“ says Natalia.
Before the birth of her girls, Natalia worked as a university department secretary. But for the past six years, her life has revolved entirely around caring for her twin daughters, Valeria and Daryna, 24/7. With her husband working long hours, and her eldest daughter living abroad, Natalia has become the unwavering pillar of strength for her family, dedicating every moment to her girls’ well-being.
“The hardest thing for me is to go out with my children to the city. Everywhere there are obstacles to moving with a stroller. Even to see a doctor at the clinic, you have to walk up above the second floor. Only Daryna can swing on the playground near the house, Valeria, unfortunately, cannot, “ says the mother.
At the same time, Natalia believes that communication is essential for her children.
“Children with disabilities often do not see anyone except doctors and parents, with whom they spend 24 hours 7 days a week. But they also need socialisation, and games with other children. They have the right to happiness. Only a mother like me can understand this,“ Natalia says.
A place where children smile
We reach the picturesque Bozdosh Park, in Uzhgorod, where a new playground was opened in September with the support of Caritas Czech Republic. Since its opening, it has become a favourite spot for Natalia and her daughters. Daryna's mood has noticeably improved. She especially likes the swing platform, where she and her sister ride together without leaving the stroller.
“There is a huge playground here, and we can have fun with our friends in wheelchairs. I wish there were more playgrounds like this in the city and in neighbouring communities,“ says Natalia.
According to her, the more centres and adapted playgrounds are created for children with disabilities, the better they will be able to develop and socialise. And vice versa - in the absence of such an environment, children lose interest in the world around them and lock themselves in.
How Caritas Czech Republic promotes accessibility of public spaces in Ukraine
Officially, over the two years of war, the number of people with disabilities in Ukraine has increased by 300,000 (10%) to more than 3 million. Childhood disability is on the rise and people with disabilities face a lack of adaptability to premises and the public environment (63%).
That is why this year Caritas Czech Republic focused on improving the living and leisure conditions of families evacuated from the war zone to Western Ukraine. Including internally displaced persons with disabilities.
In particular, we are repairing and modernising community centres and dormitories to meet the needs of people with disabilities. In 2024, barrier-free living conditions were created in the dormitory of the V. Stefanyk Precarpathian National University (Ivano-Frankivsk), the Batkivshchyna sanatorium in Truskavets (Lviv region), and the dormitory of Uzhhorod National University ( Transcarpathia). In addition, the first inclusive sports and playgrounds with special equipment and swings for children in wheelchairs were built in Truskavets and Uzhhorod.
We are grateful for the funding from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic and for the support from all those who is helping with us!
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