Life is like a book with many pages that cannot be rewritten or edited. But how do you overcome the trials of fate and not break down, but rather turn them into a source of strength and inspiration? And how do you overcome fear when you are just a woman, an ordinary woman who lives, dreams, and makes plans for the future? It's not for nothing that people say: you can't beat fate on a horse. Larysa Shapoval shared her experience of how she did not break down when she had to rediscover the world for herself-the world of the blind. In an instant, everything was swallowed up by darkness. So let's get to know each other:
- My name is Larysa Shapoval. I was born, live and work in the city of Kryvyi Rih.
- Ms. Larysa, could you tell us about your childhood? What is your most vivid memory?
- I think back to the New Year. It is my favorite holiday. However, in my childhood it seemed different than now.
- What were you fond of in your childhood?
- I had many hobbies. Once there was a concert at school and I liked the way the high school students danced. They had a very beautiful dance. After that, I started going to shaping classes. [(English. shaping) is a type of rhythmic gymnastics aimed at improving the body and achieving harmoniously developed body shapes in combination with a high level of motor fitness.] I always won various competitions and was delighted that I was good at it. Until the 9th grade, a music teacher was our class teacher. We often sang, danced and performed various theatrical skits, so it was interesting and cool to study at school.
- Yes, you had so many hobbies. What did you dream of becoming?
- At first, I dreamed of becoming a surgeon, but later I realized that it wasn't for me. Then I wanted to be an accountant. But unfortunately, I didn't manage to get an accountant's degree, so in order not to lose a whole year, I went to study to become a seamstress. I started working right away and had no desire to study further.
- Ms. Larysa, what are your dreams now?
- I lost my sight at the age of 31. When I could see, I had completely different dreams and thoughts. I never thought about traveling somewhere, seeing interesting places. First came my studies, then my job, my family, because I got married at 19 and had a son at 20. And now I dream of traveling, I want to travel around Ukraine, see other cities, although it is much more difficult to do so than it would have been before. I also want to inform the society that there are people with disabilities among us, to explain how to behave with such people. I want them to perceive us as equals.
- When have you seen people with disabilities react to you?
- To be honest, I don't remember, maybe I just wasn't paying attention.
- Do you think that people around you also don't pay attention to people with disabilities nowadays?
- I don't know about others, but when I walk, everyone notices me, so I always emphasize that people with disabilities need to go out into society and make themselves known.
- When did you realize that you needed to talk about yourself? What helped you realize this?
- It took me a long time to get to this point. Since I lost my sight as an adult, I had a difficult period of adaptation and struggle with myself. I would like to thank my family: my mother, who has always been with me and supported me, and my son, who put me back on my feet with his actions and words. The hardest thing for me was take a white cane, it was not acceptable for me, I was ashamed to walk with it. At first, I never went anywhere unaccompanied. Later, when I accepted the fact that I was blind and came to terms with it, I went to work, but I always had someone accompany me to work.
Later, I went to rehabilitation. Only there I realized that a white cane is not just a means of orientation, but it is my safety, my independence. I realized that people pay attention to a white cane because then they see that a visually impaired person is walking and I have certain rights. Since then, I started walking with a cane. Why should I depend on someone else? I am very grateful to Olesya Mykolayivna, a speech therapist, who helped me with my rehabilitation. Of course, I fought with my family for a long time, because they were worried about how a blind person would walk alone. One day, they woke up and I was gone. I had to go somewhere and I decided that I would not ask anyone, I just got dressed, took my cane and left the house. Of course, it was hard and scary, but I kept walking and didn't stop. After all, life goes on.
- It is still painful for Larysa Shapoval to remember the cause of her vision loss, and after that everything in her life became different... Her family helped her not to break down and not to lose her strength of mind. She continues her journey through the labyrinths of life, and a white cane accompanies her everywhere. The cane enables her to walk boldly and confidently.
- Now, in order to leave the house, I set myself up, motivate myself, encourage myself, and then I go! People around me began to contact me, approach me, ask me various questions like:
- What happened?
- Who let you out on your own?
Nowadays, I smile when I hear such questions, but before, I didn't know what to say and how to refuse outside help. That's when I realized once again that we need to come out so that people can see that we can be independent. There are, of course, moments when you really need help, especially in unfamiliar places.
- Can you tell us more about your first rehabilitation?
- It was just a rehabilitation with Olesya Mykolayivna. There I got acquainted with such a sport as Nordic walking. Thanks to Nordic walking classes, I could just walk on my own, because when people walk in front of you, you hear them and move after them. It was a very cool feeling, because I was walking, not like a blind person with a cane, but just by myself - quickly and confidently.
- Ms. Larysa, what are you doing now? Where do you work?
- I work at the Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Plant. In August, the CULTURAL AND PUBLIC CENTER SHELTER+ plans to organize a week of introduction to theater techniques. I am a student of the school of theater of the oppressed [a theatrical methodology based in Brazil Augusto Boalem . XX century to create a safe space for everyone to participate in the creative process, in discussing and solving socio-economic problems]. from the public organization Theater of Changes. Our organization wants to hold a workshop on forum theater[one of the techniques of the theater of the oppressed] and we are working on this project.
- Do you remember how you got acquainted with the Theater of Changes?
- It was in 2020. I took part in the Active Citizens project run by the NGO School of Equal Opportunities. During my studies, I learned about forum theater, which interested me a lot. I started looking for information and came across the NGO Theater of Changes, which practiced forum theater in Ukraine. I actively followed its activities and saw that the community of jokers [A joker is a person who mediates between the actor and the audience]. has announced enrollment in the Theater of the Oppressed school.
I was hesitant because I didn't know how they would react to a totally blind participant, but I decided to try. At first, I had difficulties with the video presentation when filling out the application and thought it was not for me. But my desire to learn was still strong, so I wrote to the organizers about this problem. They already knew that I was blind, because I had tried to get to their online readings several times, and the organizers met me halfway. So, now I am a student at the school run by the NGO Theater of Changes.
- Larysa Shapoval also participates in the educational project for people with disabilities "Striving for More" from the international charity foundation Help Us Help UA. Tell us how do you spend your free time?
- In my free time, I like to cook, walk in parks, meet friends and read books. My favorite genre is the detective story.
- What is your favorite book?
- The Second Life of Uwe by Fredrik Backman. I've read it many times, it's really very good.
- Favorite dish?
- "Lasagna." I adore it.
- Which social network or messenger do you use most often?
- Facebook and Telegram
- What are the three words that best describe you?
- Lively, joyful, positive.
- What advice or wishes would you like to give to people with disabilities?
- I want to wish them to have friends, if not family, who would support them during their first steps, because support is important, and not to lose their spirit: to rise, to try, to fill their bumps, because without it, they will never give up.
After all, disability is not a sentence, it is enough to have a desire to live.
With these words, Larysa Shapoval concluded our conversation. I am very grateful to her for her frankness, courage and optimism. By her own example, she shows that a person with a disability can be active, creative and useful to society. The main thing is to never doubt that you can do it! You can do it, because youи An unbreakable Ukrainian woman!
By Tamila Koval
"Unbreakable" is a series of articles about Ukrainian women and girls that motivate, delight and inspire!
This initiative is being implemented within the framework of the project "Promoting the rights of women and girls with disabilities by strengthening their participation and leadership in communities", implemented by the National Assembly of Persons with Disabilities of Ukraine with the support of UN Women Ukraine and the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund.
About the United Nations Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)
The Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) is the only global financing mechanism exclusively dedicated to supporting women’s participation in peace and security processes and humanitarian action. Governed by a diverse group of civil society, government, and UN representatives, WPHF is a multi-partner trust fund that mobilizes urgently needed funding for local, women-led organizations and works alongside women on the front lines to build lasting peace. Since 2016, WPHF has provided funding and strengthened the capacities of over 1,000 local women’s civil society organizations advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda and delivering humanitarian action in 41 crisis-affected countries.
This publication has been prepared with the financial support of the United Nations Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), which does not imply that the views and contents expressed herein are officially endorsed or recognized by the United Nations."
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Life is like a book with numerous pages that cannot be rewritten or edited. But how can one overcome the trials of fate and not break down, but, on the contrary, turn them into a source of strength and inspiration? And to overcome fear when you are just a woman, an ordinary woman who lives, dreams, and makes plans for the future? It's not for nothing that people say: you can't just fight fate. Larysa Shapoval shared her experience of how she had not broken down when she had to rediscover the world for herself - the world of the blind. In an instant moment, everything was swallowed up by darkness. So, let's meet each other:
- My name is Larysa Shapoval. I was born, and I live and work in Kryvyi Rih city.
- Mrs. Mrs. Larysa, tell us about your childhood. What memory is the brightest for you?
- I am recalling the New Year celebrations. It's my favorite holiday. However, in my childhood it seemed different than now.
- What were you fond of as a child?
- I had many hobbies. Once there was a concert at the school, and I liked the way the high school students danced. They had a very beautiful dance. After that, I started going to shaping classes [shaping is a type of rhythmic gymnastics aimed at improving the health and achieving harmoniously developed body shapes combined with a high level of motor fitness]. I would always win in various competitions and was happy that I was good at it. Until the 9th grade, the teacher of music was our class teacher. We often sang, danced, and performed various theatrical skits, so it was interesting and cool to study at school.
- Yes, you had many hobbies. And what did you dream of becoming?
- At first, I dreamed of becoming a surgeon, but later I realized that it wasn't for me. Then I wanted to be an accountant. But unfortunately, I didn't manage to enroll at an accounting program, and so, in order not to lose a whole year, I went to study to become a seamstress. But I started working right away, so I had no more desire to study further.
- Mrs. Mrs. Larysa, what are you dreaming about now?
- I lost my sight at the age of 31. When I was able to see, I had completely different dreams and thoughts. I'd never thought about traveling somewhere and seeing interesting places. First came my studies, then my job, and my family because I got married at 19 and gave birth to my son at 20. And now I'm dreaming of traveling: I want to travel around Ukraine, see other cities, although it is much more difficult to do that than it would have been before. I also want to inform the society that there are people with disabilities among us and to explain how to behave with such people. I want other people to perceive us as equals.
- When you still had vision, how did you react to people with disabilities?
- Frankly speaking, I don't remember. Maybe I just didn't pay attention to it.
- Do you think people around you don't pay attention to people with disabilities nowadays either?
- I don't know about others, but when I am walking, everyone notices me, so I always emphasize that people with disabilities need to go out into society and make themselves known.
- When did you realize that it is necessary to tell others about yourself? What helped you to realize this?
- It took me a very long time to get to this point. Since I lost my sight as an adult, I had a difficult period of adaptation and struggle with myself. I would like to thank my family so much: my mother, who has always been with me and supported me, and my son, who put me back on my feet with his actions and words. The hardest thing for me was to take a white cane; it was unacceptable for me, and I was ashamed to walk with it. At first, I never went anywhere unaccompanied. Later, when I accepted the fact that I was blind and came to terms with it, I went to work, but I always had someone to accompany me to my job.
Later, I went to rehabilitation. Only there did I realize that a white cane is not just a means of orientation, but it is my safety and my independence. I realized that people pay attention to a white cane because then they see that a person with visual impairments is walking, and I so have certain rights. Since then, I started walking with a cane. Why should I depend on anyone? I am very grateful to Olesia Perepechenko, a visual impairment educator, who was my rehabilitation supervisor. Of course, I struggled with my relatives for a long time because they were worried how I, a blind person, would walk alone. One day, they woke up and I was gone. I had to go somewhere, and I decided that I would not ask anyone. I just got dressed, grabbed my cane, and left the house. Of course, it was difficult and scary, but I kept walking and didn't stop. After all, Life goes on.
- It is still painful for Larysa Shapoval to remember how she lost her vision. After that everything in her life has become different... Her family helped her not to break down and not to lose her strength of mind. She continues her journey through the labyrinths of life, and a white cane accompanies her everywhere. The cane enables her to walk bravely and confidently.
- Now, before leaving home, I set myself up, motivate myself, encourage myself, and only then I go! People around me began to contact me, approach me, and ask me various questions like:
- What's happened?
- and who let you go out alone?
Now I smile if I hear such questions, but before, I didn't know what to say and how to refuse outside help. That is when I realized once again that we need to come out so that people can see that we can be independent. There are, of course, moments when you really need help, especially in unfamiliar places.
- Tell us in more detail about your first rehabilitation.
- That was specifically the rehabilitation led by Olesia Perepechenko. There I got acquainted with such sport as Nordic walking. Thanks to Nordic walking classes, I became able to walk on my own because when people are walking in front of you, you can hear them and follow them. It was a very cool feeling, because I was walking not like a blind person with a cane, but just by myself - quickly and confidently.
- Ms. Ms. Larysa, what do you do now? Where do you work?
- I work at Kryvyi Rih Iron Ore Plant. In August, THE CULTURAL AND PUBLIC CENTER SHELTER+ plans to organize a week of introduction to theater techniques. I am a student at the school of the Theater of the Oppressed [a theater method founded in Brazil by Augusto Boal in the 20s.th century with the aim of creatureing a safe space for everyone to participate in the creative process, in discussing and solving socio-economic problems] from the public organization "The Theater for Change." Our organization wants to conduct a workshop on Forum theater [one of the techniques of the Theater of the oppressed], and we are working on this project.
- Please remember how you met with the public organization "The Theater for Change?"
- It was in 2020. I took part in the "Active Citizens" project run by the public organization "The International School of Equal Opportunities." During my studies, I learned about the forum theater, which made me very interested. I started looking for information and came across the NGO "The Theater for Change," which was practicing forum theater in Ukraine. I was actively tracking its activities and learned that the community of jokers [a joker is a person who mediates between an actor and a spectator] had announced a call for applications to join the Theater of the Oppressed school. I was hesitant because I didn't know how they would react to a completely blind participant, but I decided to try. At first, I had difficulties with the video presentation when filling out the application and thought it was not for me. But my desire to learn didn't let me go, so I wrote to the organizers about this problem. They already knew that I was blind because I had tried to get to their online readings several times, and so the organizers adjusted to my needs. And now I am a student of the school at the public organization "The Theater for Change."
- Also, Larysa Shapoval participates in the educational project for people with disabilities "Aspiring for More" from the international charity foundation "Help Us Help UA." Tell us how you spend your free time?
- In my free time, I like cooking, walking out in parks, meeting friends, and reading books. Detectives are my favorite genre.
- What is your favorite book?
- "THE SECOND LIFE OF UWE" by Fredrik Backman. I've read it many times, and it's really very cool.
- Favorite dish?
- "Lasagna." I adore it.
- Social network or messenger that you use most often?
- Facebook and Telegram.
- Three words that describe you best?
- Lively, joyful, positive.
- What would you like to advise or wish for people with disabilities?
- I would like to wish them to have friends, if not family, who would support them during their first steps because support is important, and not to lose their strength of spirit: to rise, to try, to fill their bumps because you can't do without it, and never give up.
After all, disability is not a verdict; all you need is the will to live.
With these words, Larysa Shapoval concluded our conversation. I am very grateful to her for her frankness, courage, and optimism. By her own example, she shows that a person with a disability can be active, creative, and useful to society. The main thing is to never doubt that you can do it! You can do it, because you are an invincible Ukrainian woman!
Prepared by Tamila Koval
"THE INVINCIBLE LADY is a series of articles about Ukrainian women and girls that motivate, fascinate, and inspire.
This initiative is part of the project "Empowerment of Women and Girls with Disabilities by Strengthening their Involvement and Leadership in Communities," which is being implemented by the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine with the support of UN Women Ukraine and the Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund.
About the UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF)
The UN Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund is a unified global financial mechanism designed exclusively to support the participation of women in peace and security building and humanitarian responses. Governed by a range of civil society, governments, and UN actors, WPHF is a multi-partner trust fund that mobilizes urgently needed funding for local women-led organizations and works together with women on the frontlines to build lasting peace. WPHF has provided funding and supported capacity building for more than 500 local civil society organizations working with the Women, Peace, and Security agenda and implementing humanitarian activities in 28 crisis-affected countries.
This publication has been prepared with the financial support of the United Nations Women's Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF), but the views and contents expressed herein do not necessarily represent the official endorsement or recognition of the United Nations.
English 
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