My name is Vadym, and I am from Kyiv, Ukraine. Because of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, I now live in Germany.

My childhood was a stormy one. I grew up with three brothers, but it always seemed like we treated each other like strangers. At a young age, I realized that I was attracted only to boys and had my first sexual experience around that time. My brother found out and told everyone. It was very humiliating, and no one wanted to play with me.

My parents had a very difficult relationship, and because of this, my father committed suicide when I was 9 years old. For some time, my brothers and I lived on our own, collecting bottles to earn money. Eventually, my two older brothers moved in with my grandmother, while my younger brother and I lived with my mother. I had a difficult relationship with her because I was gay.

I did well in school, but I was often bullied. Every day, I had to walk home on different roads to avoid running into boys who wanted to beat me up. When I turned 17, I got my first job as a courier. I became the only one providing for our family, but that didn't stop me from continuing my studies. I studied marketing and eventually got a position as a Marketing Specialist, which was exactly the job I wanted.

My life took another dark turn when I was walking home from work and was robbed. I was severely beaten and left disoriented. The consequences were horrific: a badly injured head and broken facial bones.

As a result, two years later, I woke up one morning and found that I could not see with one eye. While I was in the hospital, I started going blind in my other eye. I was left completely in the dark. The doctors made me take an HIV test, and it was positive. I was in complete shock - not only was I blind, but I also had HIV.

For a while, I was depressed and didn't want to talk to anyone, but eventually, I adapted. My friend, who is also blind, taught me how to use programs for the blind on my phone. Later, I adapted and shared my experience with other blind people.

In Kyiv, despite being blind, I lived alone and was independent. Now, I have to navigate a new country without knowing the language. But I am no stranger to hardship.

Although I am grateful for the help in moving to Berlin, I had to face difficult life situations. Finding help to get to medical appointments remains a challenge. Life's complications may have clouded my vision, but they have also paved the way for me to remain committed to my dream of living an open and independent life.