My name is Kateryna Shcherbyna and I’m 23 years old. I’m from Ukraine but currently live in Belgium.
“I had studied nuclear physics before war came to my country, and I joined a Charitable Foundation. My first beneficiaries were animals, and I didn’t know anything about patient organizations, despite having lived with a disability throughout my whole life.
Leaving Ukraine allowed me to discover the Ukrainian Parents Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus ‘Lights of Spirit’. Someone gave me their contact when I tolked about my journey with the disability on the internet. The chair of the organization saw my interest in helping people with disabilities and proposed opening a youth group, where I could be a leader. After that, I joined the International Federation for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus and participated in important events in disability rights and advocacy on their behalf.
I’m going to continue on this path to contribute to improving the quality of life for people with disabilities. I want to represent and advocate for their rights, which is why I’m seeking new opportunities to study.
I’ve chosen the Kynnys Rs organization in Finland because I’m aware of the high quality of life in this country, and I’m sure I will learn a lot from the host organization.
I want to learn about policies for people with disabilities in Finland and the impact of Kynnys Rs on them. I can bring this knowledge to my patients organizations and improve our advocacy work, both for my home country and for the whole world.”
