Anyone who has ever visited a children’s or nursing home will remember this long afterward. It is impossible not to sympathize with these people. Stepping over the threshold of human suffering, one learns to sense others’ pain as one’s own.
For some reason, human suffering is remembered in Ukraine on official or memorial dates, when presents are made and statistics cited. Almost no one ponders the fact that 10,000 physically handicapped babies are born in this country every day, just as no one knows how many people sustain crippling body injuries.
The Chornobyl disaster, environmental situation, demographic crisis, and a dozen other factors are damaging the health of hundreds of Ukrainians. Statistics point to some five percent of disabled persons among the populations. This is a tentative estimate, and the figures are constantly changing. Disablement is not such a major problem of the new millennium as AIDS or cancer. Mankind has been combating diseases for hundreds of years and getting the better of many. The problem lies deeper, in the lack of humaneness, kindness, empathy, and care. These traits can be found in each of us, but there are increasingly harder to find in our government machine.
Volunteer movement isn’t as popular in Ukraine as it is in the West, but there are people who spend their leisure helping and communicating with fellow citizens with special needs, expecting nothing more than “thank you” in return.
There are social rehabilitation centers all over Ukraine, but they are known only to those dealing with them directly, on a daily basis, owing to their ills or volunteering to help the afflicted ones. Ukrainian society, for the most part, shuts its eyes on troubles, so children in wheelchairs cannot attend conventional grade schools. The reason is not only that these schools do not have ramps — the parents of healthy children do not want them to be in the same classroom with physically handicapped ones. There are many problems here, ranging from funds to care, but people with special needs receive help thanks to the few kind-hearted volunteers.
The president of Ukraine signed a decree on Nov. 27, 1997, setting International Day of Disabled Persons on Dec. 3, 1993. The main purpose of this event is to draw public attention to the problems of our fellow citizens with special needs, assess what has been accomplished in this sphere, and determine what remains to be done. Probably the most important thing is to realize that these people are no different from others, except that they are physically handicapped.
Prior to International Volunteer Day (December 5), The Day met with several people to find out why one becomes a volunteer and how important it is to simply love people.
Natalia DIKHTIAR, a volunteer with the Iryda Social and Psychological Rehabilitation Center, Obolon district, Kyiv, has been in the social service for about four years. She likes what she is doing and will study to be a professional social worker.
What qualities must a social service volunteer have? Can one develop them?
“In the first place, one has to be tolerant towards other people and their problems. You should have an unbiased vision and see in others their human qualities and talents above their ills. Most importantly, it is an ability to communicate with others. Using words, you can get across practically to anyone. And of course, you have to love fellow humans. I remember being very impressed by the festival ‘Believe in yourself!’ It prompted me to become a volunteer. Girls with impaired hearing appeared on stage and performed an excellent dance to the accompaniment of music. Children who couldn’t walk sang beautiful songs. I decided I had to work in this area, so I could help children reveal their talents despite everything else.”
Can you think of cases when parents had a greater need for psychological help and support than their children with special needs?
“I remember a woman who brought her child with cerebral palsy for a session with a psychologist. She had a strong positive aura, and her optimism may have been what supported her son. I have never seen a parent in need of psychological help. On the contrary, they encouraged their children in every way, convincing them they would get well. However, I can’t rule out the possibility of such cases. Anyway, when accompanying children home and contacting their parents and relatives, I never noticed the slightest sign of discouragement, let alone despair.”
Any memorable cases?
“Lots of them. Every such child has his or her own life story, but there is something in common: they are all incredibly determined, courageous, and skilled in coping with hardships and overcoming their pain. I remember one girl who had problems with her legs. During a concert she did acrobatic numbers that had to cause a great deal of pain. I was amazed, moved to tears. These children never stop amazing you; they’re constantly struggling to improve their condition and this is an inspiring example.”
