A 39-year-old Ukrainian woman has been relocated from a social care facility to a homeless shelter in Poland following recent legislative changes affecting support for Ukrainian refugees. This shift has raised concerns about the adequacy of care for individuals with disabilities.
According to reports from Gazeta Wyborcza, the woman, identified only as Victoria, was moved due to a new law that limits social assistance for Ukrainians. Victoria, who suffered a stroke resulting in paralysis, had been receiving rehabilitation services at a care home in Krosno.
Victoria and her family fled their home in the Kharkiv region in March 2022 after a Russian shell struck a nearby building. Initially, they settled in the village of Dalinova in the Subcarpathian Voivodeship, but due to her mother’s illness, they relocated to Krosno.
In Krosno, Victoria worked in a cardboard manufacturing facility alongside her father, who later passed away from brain cancer. Following her stroke, she began a rigorous rehabilitation program, eventually regaining some mobility and the ability to communicate. However, on March 5, 2024, a new law came into effect, curtailing access to social support for Ukrainian refugees.
This legislation has resulted in Victoria’s eviction from the social care home, where she had been receiving necessary rehabilitation services. Staff at the facility reported that they learned of her impending transfer just days before the law took effect. The emotional toll of this transition was evident, as Victoria reportedly expressed distress over her situation.
“We found out on March 3 or 4 that Victoria could no longer stay with us and would be moved to a shelter. She cried for two nights. What has happened to her is inhumane,” said a staff member.
Currently, Victoria resides in a five-person room at a homeless shelter in Jarosław, where she faces challenges related to her mobility and has limited personal space. Despite these difficulties, she continues her daily exercises to regain movement.
Victoria reflected on her previous living conditions, stating, “In Krosno, I had my own room and rehabilitation. Here, I keep my things under the bed. I would like to return to Krosno. My mother is in a hospice there, and I want to see her again.”
Context of Ukrainian Refugees in Poland
The situation of Ukrainian refugees in Poland has become increasingly complex as legislative changes impact their access to social services. Language educator Pavlo Levchuk noted that many Ukrainian students in Polish schools are opting to take Russian as their foreign language for graduation exams, despite Ukrainian being their native language. This trend highlights the challenges faced by the Ukrainian community in adapting to their new environment while maintaining their cultural identity.
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Victoria, a Ukrainian stroke survivor, has been displaced from a social care facility in Poland due to new legislation limiting support for refugees. Her situation highlights the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals amid changing policies.
Source: Gazeta Wyborcza