Awareness Raising

Alongside the trauma of war and the upheaval of displacement, Ukrainian refugee families face a reality of the systems not built with them in mind. For mothers caring for children with disabilities, the challenges of starting over in a new country go far beyond language barriers and paperwork. Accessible housing, inclusive services, and social support systems that recognise their needs remain out of reach.
Five Ukrainian mothers living in Germany, Poland, and Lithuania share their stories – of what they left behind, what they carried with them, and what they are still fighting for every day. They are stories of resilience, care, and inner strength.

These stories shine a light on the often-invisible reality of refugee caregivers of people with disabilities and on the urgent need for inclusive support systems that meet every family where they are. In their new homes, these women discover unexpected solidarity, and the quiet power of a society that chooses to see them.

Join us to amplify their voices, challenges misconceptions about refugee caregivers, and calls to recognize, support, and stand alongside them.

Germany: story of Anastasiia and Nataliia

Forced to flee Ukraine, Nataliia and Anastasiia are now building new lives in Berlin, while continuing to care for their children with disabilities. Nataliia has been caring for her 20-year-old daughter with autism for years. Anastasiia, mother of three, is raising her youngest son on the autism spectrum. They share how language barriers and complex systems make it hard to access the support that already exists.

Poland: story of Iryna and Victoria

Iryna and Viktoria were forced to rebuild their lives from scratch as Ukrainian refugees in Poland. In the film, they talk about what it means to care for a family member with a disability while being far from home. Both protagonists are grateful for the support they have received in Poland since the beginning of the war. They want to work, but their caregiving responsibilities make this practically impossible.

Lithuania: story of Iryna

In this video, you will meet Iryna, who arrived in Lithuania in 2022 and is raising her 8-year-old disabled daughter Sofiia. Iryna’s experience is not only about fleeing war, but also about rebuilding life in a new country: searching for support for her child with a disability, navigating complex systems where clear information is lacking, and facing additional barriers due to language.