The Effects of War

I rarely write about the war in Ukraine in these pages.  For one thing, it is a very depressing topic, and people here are so beaten down and discouraged that I don't like adding to the negative discussion and thoughts that daily dominate the news and mealtime table talk.  I want to focus on special education in Ukraine and the positive aspects of my work here. 

Unfortunately, one really cannot avoid the issue of the war with Russia and it's effect on education.  By now it should be evident to readers of this journal that Ukraine faces many challenges in the area of special education.  There are so many needs:  Children with disabilities do not receive appropriate educational services or are denied an education altogether.  Older students with disabilities are generally denied entrance into higher education programs or are permitted enroll in very limited and stereotypical vocational programs.  There is a belief among some educators that individuals who are blind or deaf are good at manual labor, such massage or auto repair, but little else (not everyone believes this, of course, but it's a pervasive attitude).  Students with disabilities fortunate enough to attend a higher education program are not always permitted the freedom of choosing a field of study that interests them.  Additionally, there are no university programs for educating special education teachers.  These are just a few examples facing students, families and educators.

Before the war, significant gains were made.  In Luhansk, a program at Volodymyr Dahl East Ukrainian National University was developed by Dr. Olga Krsek that allowed deaf and hard of hearing students to receive a genuine education and obtain the same degree level as students without disabilities.  Tragically, all of her efforts have been destroyed by the war in the Donbas, and the Russian leaders in Luhansk (and Donetsk) have no interest in providing education to students with disabilities.  Such an idea is incompatible with their outdated Soviet mindset.  During the period of the Soviet Union, which the Russian terrorists in the Donbas are trying to resurrect, Soviet society was viewed as a perfect model for the rest of the world to emulate.  Consequently, all individuals with disabilities were hidden away, because they were viewed as imperfect.  Sadly, all of our progress in Luhansk towards equalizing education for students with disabilities has been lost.

The war situation in Ukraine is worsening rapidly as Putin is becoming more aggressive and dangerous. Unless the West gets serious about stopping him, there is little hope for ending this terrible conflict, as Ukraine has limited financial and military resources. It is very depressing to watch the endless suffering of the Ukrainian people and being completely powerless to stop it. The war affects my work here in many negative ways. How we can provide services to children with disabilities when there is no funding? It is very difficult to reform education when all of the government’s focus, attention and resources are directed at the war in the east. Ukraine is a country fighting desperately to survive and under these difficult conditions, providing an education for students with disabilities and developing new special education programs has become a monumental challenge.

Here are some photos of damage in my former city of Luhansk, as a result of the fighting.

The Library in Luhansk. 
This breaks my heart.  
I still have my library card.

(Photographer unknown)

An apartment building in the Vatutin neighborhood  
damaged by shelling.  My building was located in this area.
(Photographer unknown)






The Central Market
This is one of the places where I used to shop in Luhansk.
(Photographer unknown)





The Central Market
(Photographer unknown)




The Central Market
(Photographer unknown)




The Central Market
(Photographer unknown)



The Central Market
(Photographer unknown)