Oleksandra Vasylivna is 69 years old and has lived in the village of Batky, Poltava Oblast, for 37 of those years. She and her husband live together, their daughter lives in Poltava.
Oleksandra does not like to lie down and rest. So with the help of her husband, she cooks and does the housework.
«He brings the groceries in, and I sit on a chair and cook a little. If we need to buy something, he goes to the local grocery store. And if there is something missing, he goes to Opishnia,» the woman explains.
The couple has a small farm: a pig, chickens, geese and ducks. Thanks to this, they manage to buy firewood to heat their home.
«We sell the piglet and buy firewood. We need about two cars of firewood to last us through the winter,» she explains. Jokingly, she adds that the household also includes two cats and a dog.
Oleksandra used to be a nurse. This helps her to give injections on her own and to understand when and what medications to take. They try not to call an ambulance unless it is absolutely necessary, although in Oleksandra's case it is the only way to get a doctor's consultation.
The woman does not go anywhere except inside the house and around the yard. A wheelchair, which was previously recommended by doctors, could help her. But the couple's pension cannot afford it.
«I can move around the house on my own, but in the yard I have to use my husband's help and my cane. Because I can't stand for more than a minute sitting down,» explains Oleksandra Vasylivna.
The team of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine will look for opportunities to help Oleksandra Vasylivna.
This publication was created with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), CBM and EDF. The views expressed in this publication are those of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine and can in no way be taken to reflect the official views of the financial partner, CBM and EDF.
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Stories from communities: how people with disabilities live in Opishnia community in Poltava region
Oleksandra Vasylivna is 69 years old, 37 of which she has been living in the village of Batky, Poltava region. She lives together with her husband, and their daughter lives in Poltava.
Oleksandra doesn't like to lie down and rest. So, with the help of her husband, she cooks and does other household chores.
“He will bring the food, and I sit on a chair and cook slowly. If you need to buy something, you go to the local grocery store. And if something is missing, he goes to Opishnia,” the woman explains.
The couple has a small farm: a pig, chickens, geese, and ducks. Thanks to this, it is possible to buy firewood to heat the house.
“We sell a piglet and buy firewood. We need about two trucks of firewood to last the whole winter,” the woman explains. Jokingly, she adds that she also owns two cats and a dog.
Oleksandra Vasylivna used to be a medical worker. It helps her to make injections on her own and to understand when and which medications need to be taken. Without an emergency, they try not to call an ambulance, although in Oleksandra's case, this is the only way to get a doctor's consultation.
A woman does not go anywhere except around the house and in the yard. A wheelchair, which was previously recommended by doctors, could help her, but it is impossible to buy it with the spouses’ pension.
“I move around the house by myself, but around the yard - with the help of my husband and using my stick. Because I won't be able to stand for more than a minute just sitting,” Oleksandra Vasylivna explains.
The team of the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine will look for opportunities to help Oleksandra Vasylivna.
This publication was produced with the financial support of the German Federal Foreign Office (GFFO), CBM, and EDF. The views expressed in the material belong to the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine and therefore cannot in any way be considered the official opinion of the financial partner, CBM, and EDF.
