My name is Konstantyn Kuusk. I was born in Kremenchuk, a city on the Dnieper River in central Ukraine. I am currently 38 years old, and my life is full of diverse events and trials that have shaped me as a person, strengthened my spirit, and allowed me to understand that the true strength of the human spirit lies in its ability to never give up, even when it seems like the whole world is against you.

My story began with a happy childhood in a loving family. I was born a healthy child, full of energy and curiosity about the world. My parents always supported me in every endeavor, and my life seemed carefree. However, when I was five years old, our life changed forever. Returning from Germany, where my father served in a military unit, we got into a car accident in Poland. This was a moment that forever altered my life. As a result of this accident, I sustained severe spinal injuries and have been using a wheelchair ever since. Sadly, my father died in that accident. His loss was an irreparable tragedy for our family. It was a time when our family faced its first true challenge. My mother was left alone with a young child in her arms, and I, with broken dreams and pain in my heart.

At first, it seemed like a catastrophe that destroyed all my childhood dreams and plans. However, my loved ones, who never gave up in the face of adversity, decided to raise me in a spirit of independence and strength. They did not let me fall into despair. I grew up in an environment where I learned to overcome difficulties on my own, to be strong, and to be responsible for my life. As a child, I often cried when I didn't receive help, but over time I understood that this upbringing became the foundation of my independence and willpower.

I grew up in an environment where I learned to overcome difficulties on my own, to be strong, and to be responsible for my life. As a child, I often cried when I didn't receive help, but over time I understood that this upbringing became the foundation of my independence and willpower. My mother never allowed me to feel like a victim of circumstance. She always emphasized that my capabilities depended on my belief in myself and how I use the resources I possess. This principle became my life credo.

At the age of 16, I received my first active sports wheelchair. This was a turning point in my life. Along with this wheelchair, I received independence and began to look at the world with different eyes. Then I realized that my path hadn't ended, it was just starting with renewed strength. At first, I learned to fall because, as I told myself, to start "walking," you first have to learn to fall. This is also an important element, because every fall teaches us to rise again. This road was long and difficult for me, both physically and morally, because not all public facilities were accessible to wheelchair users. Even simply overcoming a curb was a challenge for me, it seemed like everything was insurmountable. Gradually, I learned to overcome obstacles in my path, climb stairs, and jump over curbs. Today, for me, this is no longer a problem - if I need to climb stairs, I will do it without hesitation.

Upon receiving a sports wheelchair, I began to think: if I managed to do this, and it was very difficult to learn to use a wheelchair, it's not certain that someone else will succeed. I started to study state building codes, read about foreign experiences. It wasn't easy, but my desire to change the world for the better pushed me forward.

My first marathon took place even before receiving a wheelchair, in 1997. I was only 11 years old then. Together with my grandfather, Eugeniusz, and my younger sister, Ania, we set off on a journey from Poltava to Kremenchuk, covering 120 km. It was an unforgettable experience - I didn't have a wheelchair yet, so I rode a three-wheeled bicycle where the handlebars were replaced by pedals to steer. That's how my first marathon began. Despite the difficulties, this marathon became a symbol of perseverance and strength of spirit for me, as well as the first step on the path to athletic achievements.

Over the years, I realized that physical limitations should not determine my life. I have intellect, will, and the desire to achieve great things. In Ukraine, I worked for 13 years in various fields, actively engaging in sports. Sport became not just a hobby for me, but a true passion that helped me stay fit and feel alive. I engaged in track and field, para-triathlon, and swimming. Through hard work and dedication to sports, I achieved significant successes, including winning the title of Master of Sports of Ukraine in swimming. It wasn't easy, but every barrier overcome gave me more confidence.

Participating in marathons at different distances, training, and competitions helped me strengthen both my spirit and body. I often participated in sporting events, and every victory, every kilometer covered, gave me a sense of freedom and the ability to change the world around me. Sport became a metaphor for life for me - a path where speed is not the most important thing, but the ability to overcome obstacles and continue marching forward, even when it seems like your strength has been depleted.

But sports is only one side of my life. I've always wanted to do something worthwhile for my community and help others. As an active social activist in Kremenchuk, I always sought opportunities to make my city more accessible and comfortable for everyone. One of my greatest achievements was bringing about the replacement of all public transportation in the city. Thanks to my efforts and perseverance, low-floor trolleybuses and buses have been operating in Kremenchuk since 2017. It was a real revolution in urban transportation, making it accessible to all social groups, including people with disabilities, mothers with children, and seniors. Moreover, this transportation was equipped with free internet, which further enhanced passenger comfort. I am proud that I could contribute to improving the lives of my community and help people who, like me, face difficulties in everyday life.

In addition to social activities, I engaged in creativity. I wrote poetry, which was a way for me to express my feelings and thoughts. Poetry helped me express my inner experiences, share my experiences, and vision of the world. Sports dancing helped me find harmony between body and soul and establish an emotional connection with other people. Each of my poems, each dance, was a step towards inner development and self-expression.

When a full-scale war began in Ukraine, my family decided to leave the country. We understood that staying was dangerous, especially considering my health condition and the health problems of our daughter, Natalia. It was a difficult decision, but we knew we needed to find a safe place for our family. In March 2022, we arrived in Poland, first in Szczecin, and then in Gryfino, where I tried to continue an active life.

In Poland, I also tried to be active and helpful. In November 2022, on the occasion of Poland's Independence Day, I participated in a 10 km marathon that took place in Gryfino. It was an important event for me because it gave me the opportunity to feel the support of the local community and show that despite my disability, I can achieve great goals. This experience reinforced my belief that it's important not to give up, even when life throws difficult challenges at us.

My professional activity in Poland began with studying in Wągrowiec, where I earned "Assistant Receptionist" qualifications as part of a government program for people with disabilities. This training was a very important step for me in my professional development and gave me the opportunity to acquire new skills, which I then used during an internship in Poznań. After completing the training, I started working at the "Innovation and Knowledge Foundation," where I could use my knowledge and experience in working with people. Unfortunately, the project ended, and since then I've been actively looking for a new job.

Work for me is not just a way to earn money, but also a way to realize myself, help my family, and be an active member of society. I'm looking for a permanent job where I can use my communication and organizational skills. Communication with people is a very important aspect for me, because this work inspires me to be useful to society.

In addition to professional activities, I actively develop my passions, which have become an integral part of my life. One of these passions is photography. For me, it's not just a way to capture a moment - it's the opportunity to show the world as I see it: beautiful, complex, multi-dimensional. Through the lens of my camera, I try to capture the beauty of people, their emotions, moments that often go unnoticed. Photography allows me to express myself, share my vision, and tell stories hidden in every frame.

But my creative pursuits didn't end there. I recently discovered another passion - conducting interviews with people. It has become a new way for me to immerse myself in their worlds, an opportunity to learn about their life paths, experiences, and dreams. Each interview is a separate journey during which I discover new facets of the human experience. Every story I hear enriches my understanding of the world, helps me better understand the diversity of human destinies, and find something in common that unites us all.

However, finding a job turned out to be much more difficult than I expected. Despite my experience and willingness to work, I've already received almost 200 refusals from employers in Poznań, and they all boil down to one thing - my wheelchair. It's hard to accept, because I'm used to active work, achievements, and interaction with people. Every refusal is another blow to my self-esteem, but I don't let myself give up. I'm still looking for opportunities, believing that an employer will be found who will appreciate my experience, skills, and desire to be useful.

Despite all the difficulties, I remain active and optimistic. In August 2024, I participated in the "Pyra Fest" marathon for 5 km. It was a real challenge - the route was difficult, and on some sections I had to ride my wheelchair along a path full of stones and tree roots. I even fell once, but I got up and continued the route. This marathon became a symbol of the struggle of life for me, where victory is not the only important thing, but also the ability to get up after falling and continue the journey.

Currently, I'm still looking for work and I'm sure I'll find a place where I can realize my potential. My main goal is to ensure the safety of my family and continue an active lifestyle. I also try to help other people, especially those who have encountered similar challenges.