Maria, a 27-year-old from Vinnytsia, Ukraine, has faced a lifetime’s worth of hardship. She is the mother of three children, one of whom faces serious health challenges.

Since childhood, Maria has experienced many trials. At the age of 8, her mother left her in a temporary foster care center for children with her three younger sisters. Life in an orphanage meant a constant struggle for forcing premature adulthood and responsibilities no child should have to bear. After graduating, Maria returned to live with her grandparents, who were her only support. But her trials were far from over.

The failure of her first marriage left her facing the challenges of raising two young children alone. Soon after, Maria remarried. The joy of a new pregnancy filled her life with hope. But the long-awaited happiness didn’t last. The third child was diagnosed with multiple serious conditions: cerebral palsy, epilepsy, mental retardation and an intestinal disorder. Overwhelmed by the responsibilities of raising a child with special needs, her husband left. Ultimately, Maria was left to raise her three children alone.

The Russian invasion of Ukraine forced Maria and her three children—Macar (8), Elizaveta (6), and Mikhail (4)—to abandon their home and seek safety elsewhere.

Maria’s first meeting with our specialists was in a small, welcoming house in Țarigrad, Drochia district. The whole family benefited from psychological counseling services, provided within the project “Psychosocial Support for Ukrainian Refugees”. The project aims to provide psychosocial support services for Ukrainian refugees in the Republic of Moldova and is implemented by “CASMED” NGO with the financial support of JOHANNITER.

The challenges of a new beginning

The whole family’s life changed radically. The transition to their new lives was a difficult one for Maria and her children. The young mother was going through an extremely difficult period, characterized by exhaustion, nervousness, anxiety, conflictual relationships with her ex-husband and his family, conflicts with her biological mother, material difficulties, anxiety, fear, fatigue, doubt, homesickness and difficulties in adapting to the new circumstances. The children also felt the uncertainty and insecurity of their new life. However, the biggest challenge remained the severe disability of the youngest child, which required constant intervention.

Transformation and growth

Maria’s passion for handmade works became the catalyst for a significant personal evolution, opening new perspectives and possibilities for her. This activity not only allowed Maria to express herself creatively but also provided the added benefit of a small supplemental income for her family. The success of her work boosted Maria’s self-confidence, inspiring her children to explore their own talents.

Individual counseling and constant support enabled the young woman to transform seemingly insurmountable difficulties into a series of significant achievements. Maria gained control over her anxiety, stress, and chronic fatigue. The counseling sessions allowed her to explore and better understand her emotions, contributing to an inner calm and a more positive outlook on the future.

Her personal transformation has blossomed into stronger, more positive relationships with her children. Progress in family relationships and success in creative activities have contributed to a more positive self-image. Maria now possesses the strength to face daily challenges and make important decisions for her family. At the same time, she has managed to adapt to her new environment and integrate into the local community. By participating in community events and sharing her passion with others, Maria has managed to overcome feelings of isolation and feel part of a group.

Supporting the children

The counseling sessions also provided the children with a safe and supportive space where they could freely express their fears and emotions about the change of living place. This enabled them to adapt more easily to change and find ways to cope with stress. Using simple, age-appropriate techniques, the children learned how to identify and manage their emotions constructively. They practiced relaxation techniques and experimented with different problem-solving strategies.

In addition to individual benefits, counseling strengthened family bonds, promoting open communication and constructive conflict resolution. Their newfound self-confidence and social skills paved the way for easy integration into their new community. Taking part in extracurricular activities and interacting with other children allowed them to widen their circle of friends and feel more connected to their new environment.

These experiences equipped the children with the flexibility and resilience needed to face future challenges. They realized their own power to overcome challenges and embrace change.

Specialized support for Mikhail

Maria’s youngest child, diagnosed with mental retardation, bowel disorder, and cerebral palsy, received specialized support tailored to his complex needs. Despite his medical and cognitive challenges, personalized counseling and interventions have had a significant impact on his overall well-being and his relationship with his family.

Although the child’s limitations made it difficult for him to express his emotions, the counselors used creative methods such as sensory play, art therapy, and nonverbal communication to help him express his needs and feelings. This significantly reduced episodes of frustration and irritability. Thanks to joint activities recommended by the counselor, the relationship between family members was significantly strengthened. Older siblings were encouraged to participate in simple games and offer emotional support, which strengthened the bonds between them.

In collaboration with specialists, Maria learned techniques to support the development of the child’s motor, cognitive, and communication skills. For example, the use of sensory toys and adapted exercises enabled the child to make small but significant progress in interacting with the environment.

Counselors helped the family better manage difficult situations related to the child’s health, providing relaxation techniques and strategies for managing critical episodes. Maria has been supported by accessing medical and social resources which has reduced stress for the whole family, although medical and cognitive challenges remain, the child is now more integrated into family life. His siblings engage him in simple activities and Maria has created an environment where he feels loved, supported, and protected.

Maria’s family is just one of the thousands of families who have benefited from psychological counseling within the project “Psychosocial support for Ukrainian refugees”, implemented by “CASMED” NGO with the financial support of JOHANNITER.

The Public Association „CASMED”, with three years of experience in the provision of psychological services, has constantly dedicated itself to improving the well-being of the beneficiaries. During this period, we have gained extensive experience in providing counseling and psychological therapy, tailored to the individual needs of each person. Our team of qualified psychologists uses the most modern techniques and approaches to help clients overcome difficulties and develop their full potential.

For their privacy and safety, the names of the individuals in this article have been changed.