Artem Berman: Great. So, look, I have three types of questions. So… These questions are divided, well, actually, on 3 questionnaires. The first questionnaire is “I have never had a job”, that is, “I have never worked.” The second variant is “I was employed but I am not employed presently”. For example, temporarily, or somehow differently, but in any case, I had work experience, but I do not work now. The third variant is “I’m working now”, that is, “I’m currently employed”. Which one are we going to use?
Mirabella: You know I have a very interesting situation. As for me, it’s better to use, either the second variant or the third one. I am officially employed, and this is a full-time job. And… I have a good position, it’s all clear. However, this is not the work that I want to do. It’s just remote… Well, I am officially employed. I mean, I don’t know…
Artem Berman: Well, I think we can use…
Mirabella: The second variant is probably better, because, well, it’s a little bit, well, not a little bit, but it’s not what I want, and in this case, I’m looking for a job anyway.
Artem Berman: Yes, let’s use the second option. To some extent, these options are similar, and up to some point – different. If we use the second variant, we have 18 questions in total.
Mirabella: Yes.
Artem Berman: The first 5 questions are absolutely formal and short. The first question, “Do you allow this interview to be used for scientific purposes and for the purposes of scientific research?”’
Mirabella: Yes.
Artem Berman: “Would you like to publish this interview under your real name or would you like to use any pseudonym?”
Mirabella: Pseudonym.
Artem Berman: Then the question, “Your name.” Well, write me, for example, in Skype, which pseudonym you want to use.
Mirabella: Oh, good.
Artem Berman: The next one. Contact information – e-mail or phone. Well, in principle, you can also …
Mirabella: Yes, well, I’ll send you.
Artem Berman: Any contact information. Then there are two politically incorrect questions, but given the scientific purpose it’s possible to ask, “How old are you?”
Mirabella: Twenty-five.
Artem Berman: And the next question, “Gender.” Well, I guess, female.
Mirabella: Female gender.
Artem Berman: Yes, the most difficult. Female gender. So, the eighth one, “Do you live alone or are you married? Do you have a partner?”
Mirabella: My Gosh, partner … Civil marriage.
Artem Berman: Well, yes. This word is “partner” in English, so, yes, I’ve understood. The ninth question, “Do you have children?”
Mirabella: No, I do not.
Artem Berman: The next question … Again, you answer only within your zone of comfort. “What kind of disability do you have?” That is, what kind of restriction do you have?
Mirabella: Disability. Got it. Lack of sight.
Artem Berman: I get it. Sub-questions, “What happened? At what age? How did this affect your life (social, family, personal, professional, etc.)? ”
Mirabella: So, it happened when I was five years. I had one hundred percent vision. What is the reason … Well, doctors do not know the reason. After the operation, the vision was simply lost. Well, it started before operations to fall. How did this affect? Well, I do not know honestly. Probably it was more in a social aspect because of the problems with employment. I have never had problems with the employment neither when I was being educated nor this time. However, in social sphere … Because people have many stereotypes about the blind people… Therefore, the social sphere.
Artem Berman: Well, again, since it happened in five years, at that moment, as I understand, you did not study and did not work yet. It is obvious.
Mirabella: Well… I went to a specialized school. The school gave me absolutely the same knowledge, as well as the ordinary one.
Artem Berman: Okay.
Mirabella: Yes, therefore … Well, I have peers … I had friends with the kindergarten, and we are still friends with the guys…
Artem Berman: Super. We have just moved on to the twelfth question. You have already started to answer it, namely, “How did your social rehabilitation start? What was the process of social rehabilitation? What or who helped? What or who hindered?”
Mirabella: Probably, we can immediately say that its entry into the society. Well, neither I nor my parents did not even have any kind of decadence, no one ever shut me up right after I lost my sight … I had friends. They read me a lot. There was not any Internet, any electronics. After that, I went to school. Initially, it was harder for me at school with blind children, because, nevertheless, well, typhlo-pedagogy, education…and no one could explain many things to children. You start to realize something only in the junior school in the fourth class. Well, in addition to this, it’s also the Boarding School, although I went home every day – I came in the morning, after school I left, – the children are all different. In addition, I was attracted to ordinary children. It was easier for me with them – from the kindergartens, from schools. Social services with volunteers in the district also had a great importance for me. I was studying music as well as art there-there were festivals. Therefore, well, in general, there were no problems in communication, in socialization.
Artem Berman: Super. We move on to the next question then. The thirteenth question, “Your education.” Once again, tell us just that thing that is okay for you to tell us. Sub-questions are as follows, “Have you had any education before that thing that happened to you?” As I understand it, at the age of five you had not.
Mirabella: No, of course, not. Well, I graduated from the specialized school, then I immediately entered to Taras Shevchenko National University, to the Institute of Philology in 2010 immediately.
Specialty is “Ukrainian language, literature, and English”, an intramural form of study.
Artem Berman: The next one is at once, “What influenced the choice of specialization? Why this one? ”
Mirabella: Why philology?! I really thought – either the faculty of law or Philology Department. I chose philology, because I decided to learn how to write and speak first, and then think practically. I graduated from it in 2016. Well, that was a bachelor degree course in 2014, then I entered into a master degree programme. That was also an intramural form of study. I was so fortunate that after graduating from the university I was offered (since I studied on a state-financed education) to go to another university for an extramural form of study (Academy of Labor and Social Relations and Tourism).
So, I chose the faculty of law. Well, I decided that it is possible to combine everything – well, philology and law. That is how I get a second higher presently. Well, by correspondence.
Mirabella: Super, that is, you are a master of philology and now you are doing a magistracy, well, in jurisprudence.
Mirabella: Yes, yes.
Artem Berman: Super. So, you, well, now you have work, but think about changing it.
Mirabella: Yes.
Artem Berman: So we can say that you changed jobs in your life. Accordingly, there will be a number of questions related to this.
Mirabella: Okay, let’s ask questions, and I’ll tell you in more details.
Artem Berman: The first and most important question, “Why did you decide to work in general?” So, I want to work or, there, I do not want to work, I have the opportunity not to work, and I will not. Why did you decide that the work is important to you?
Mirabella: Well, first, this is my independence, my freedom. Moreover, this is my socialization, if this work is office work. That is the problem that I’m looking for office work now. Secondly, it feels that society needs you, what you did not study in vain, well, and of course it’s also financial independence, which is quite important.
Artem Berman: So, the next question is, “Did those organizations or organization where you work or worked, provide you with any necessary support?”
Mirabella: Oh, well. If I heard you correctly, if it’s not, – repeat the question again. I should start with the fact that I started to work from the fifth year, that is, when I entered the magistracy, and I started working in a specialized publishing house. This is the editorial board of the joint editions
“ZAKLIK”. This edition, which specializes in publishing media, we can say that, for blind people. Previously, there was funding, – a children’s magazine was published, an adult one and an adult newspaper. Nevertheless, everything is very sad now. So I was offered, that is, an official job. I should write three or five materials per one month, send it to the editor-in-chief, and that is it, actually. That is, I do not need to go to the office, and, naturally, the materials are all connected with something new, with some kind of activities. Everything is related to people with a vision impairment – where I went, where I was, for education, for the socialization of the blind, for societies. I was responsible for different headings, there, and successful stories – how blind people became lawyers, teachers. Everything is very interesting and informative for the experience and I would say even motivating. However, after graduating from the university, it was philology, I started looking for a job because I did not go to the university every day, but still, I want to go there in the morning – some kind of discipline. That’s why I’m looking for office work.
Mirabella: In principle, you have answered two questions. One of the questions, “Has the organization where you worked / work provided career opportunities or prospects? Do you see your career path? What is it like? ”
Artem Berman: Well, I cannot say that this is a representation of the career path, because, well, I am here for four years, and it hasn’t happened for three years yet, and I’m not sure that this is the way, because again we have round the neck political moments. Funding for this edition is not paid after New Year salaries are paid approximately in April, so, of course, it’s difficult to talk about a career. Moreover, the subject matter is very narrow, and you can’t develop yourself. Well, although it is a specialized publishing house.
Artem Berman: In principle, you have already answered the next question, “Do you have plans to come back and continue working in this organization or you are looking for another job? If so, why? ”
Mirabella: I am looking for another.
Artem Berman: And why? You answered that it would be more interesting for you to have an office work.
Mirabella: Office work with ordinary people, well, I mean, without disabilities. Well, it is without a disability in sight – you already know a lot about this topic. I want to improve my knowledge.
Artem Berman: The next question, “What does your family/partner/friends think about present absence of the job (in principle, we are talking about a questionnaire where a person does not work, but is planning to work) or that you want to change it?”
Mirabella: Their attitude is fine. They understand that it is difficult to find the other job, well, that’s why no one limits me. They still support me financially, and there are no problems.
Artem Berman: Well, “Can you imagine yourself never returning to a job?” Would you arrange such an option or not, and what would be the consequences?
Mirabella: I can only imagine it in case of a decree, and so, well, if it comes to the absence of work at all, well, I do not know … Something terrible must happen in order I won’t work.
Artem Berman: That is, work is an integral part of your personality, and it means for you quite a lot.
Mirabella: Yes, absolutely, that is, self-education, work, of course. Well, I don’t know, I have put more emphasis on the main work. I still had an unofficial work. Should we talk about it or not?
Artem Berman: Yes, of course, everything will be very interesting. Maximum information. I am very grateful to you.
Mirabella: So, it also started from the university – from the fourth or third year of study. I started to take part in different volunteer movements, projects that were aimed at going to state structures, communicating with the media and breaking society’s stereotypes towards people with disabilities. This project is called the “Speaker’s Bureau”. President of the charitable foundation, who organized everything is Julia Kisenchuk. You can probably know her. Well, and, in principle, it was such a launch pad for me, because I also met many people and started volunteering on the resource portal “Gurt”. I did many radio pods there, I made them by myself, I found people for interviews. Well, in principle, of course, I do not know, probably, before the New Year, I [interference] won in radio journalism [interference with communication]. Then I understood that there is no real way to work there. So, I had experience of volunteering in radio journalism. Last year a museum (it is opened after midnight) where blind guides work was established in Kiev. For an hour and a half, they lead an excursion in the dark for ordinary people [interference with communication] … from ordinary life, where a person in a darkness does all the usual things that he/she does in his daily life. I was there for three months, but I went there with the goal… Once again, I knew that there would be no career growth, because, in principle, permanent locations are not the same. It’s an abnormal thing for me. People usually have the same questions, and it was just interesting to me psychologically – how people will react at all to darkness. Well, and I, having stayed there for three months, I left there, first of all, because of low pay. If four people pay 800 UAH for an hour and a half, the guide for an hour and a half get just 100 UAH (including the fact that in your free time, visitors can ask you an unlimited amount of questions. You show how to use Braille, how to write, how to read). This is irrational; therefore, this is the main reason why I left this museum. People, with whom I communicate, think that, of course, if they make such sums, the guide gets a decent percentage, but this is not the truth. That is how I once had an experience in this museum. In addition, I gave the excursions in English. The point is that after the radio presenter, I still do not know in which sphere I want to find myself – or go on in jurisprudence, which I like very much, or make more emphasis on PR and advertising.
Artem Berman: Well, it’s partly related to the next question, “Is your current or previous work related to your education?” Moreover, two sub-questions … The first one, “Does your education help you to have more opportunities to find work?” Let’s say, you have more variants for choosing. In addition, the second sub-question, “How do you maintain the level in the profession?” Well, courses, self-education or whatever. Well, “Is your work related to your education?”
Mirabella: Of course. It is related to my education because philology and journalism are interconnected. In addition, when the English language, well, the practice, it also provides you with more opportunities. Of course, I try to take part in master classes, courses – everything related to writing. For example, copyright. So, well, it is related.
Artem Berman: Well, that is why you continue to develop. Moreover, in general, the fact that you get a second higher education, having already master’s degree, means a lot. In addition, in general, it is obvious that you improve yourself. The seventeenth question, “Do you receive any financial help from the state?”
Mirabella: Yes. Some money on the card of my mum.
Artem Berman: Then the sub-question, “When you were working, were you still receiving the financial help?” Well, different states, different laws.
Mirabella: Yes, of course.
Artem Berman: Then the question is, “What is the percentage of your total income from this support? Well, as I understand it, if you do not really follow this, then it is a small percentage.
Mirabella: Yes, absolutely, it’s natural.
Artem Berman: Are you satisfied with the level of income that you had, or that you have now?
Mirabella: No, I am not. I am not satisfied at all.
Artem Berman: Looking for something more, respectively. What makes you move? This, probably, will be a penultimate question. That is, what makes you forge ahead?
Mirabella: First, this is even not financial independence, but the fact that I’m used to always be in motion. I remember my university, there, I do not know, a bachelor’s, a master’s degree, I managed, studied, and went to theater classes, and something else was involved, and preparation for classes. Therefore, of course, the most motivating factor for me is discipline, the organization of your regime, your day. You can clearly define what, when, on what day, at what hours you want to do, despite the work.
Artem Berman: Super. The last question is, it seems to be the last one, but it has a number of sub-questions and quite difficult ones, well, open sub-questions in their pure form. That is, if I start the phrase, then you should finish it. We have six phrases. Well, the very beginning is, “I …”
Mirabella: I live.
Artem Berman: It is. The second question: “I was (before the disability) … “Well, you were five years old, but …”
Mirabella: Well, yes.
Artem Berman: Apparently, I was a child.
D: Yes, yes, I was a child.
Artem Berman: The next question is, “I am able to …” Or, “I can …”
Mirabella: I am able to develop, to learn, and I am ready for changes. It is better to say so.
Artem Berman: “In future I see myself …”
Mirabella: Oh. Well, probably, let it be the presenter. Most of all, I would like to work on television. Well, let it be like a dream – a TV presenter.
Artem Berman: Well, super. Again, if there are any things not related to the profession, mention them too – the climber, the mother of three children, that is, any options.
Mirabella: No, only career interests. That’s all.
Artem Berman: Super, super. Hence, the last two open questions: “I want …”
Mirabella: I want the tolerance to be in society.
Artem Berman: It is logical. The last one, “I’m afraid …”
Mirabella: I’m afraid of war.
Artem Berman: War. Got it. I understood you. In fact, all my questions to you are over. Thank you very much for your time. We are connected in Skype and, in fact, in Facebook.
Mirabella: Yes, thank you. All the best.
Artem Berman: Thank you. I wish you all the best too.
Mirabella: Good-bye.
Artem Berman: Good-bye.