Stefania

This project is about how everyone chooses their own life path, but sometimes this path turns out to be much more difficult than we imagine. Stefania is well educated, empathetic and sensitive woman. For many years, she worked as a conductor on the railway, always returning to her home in the village where she took care of two men: her brother, who lost a leg due to alcoholism; and father who became blind with age. She has never gone to the city to live her own life as she said, “Who would care for her men?” At 43 years old, Stefania decided to marry Ivan, a man from a neighbouring village. Stefania not only became Ivan’s wife, she became his guardian. He has a mental disability and alcohol use disorder. They have been together almost 20 years so far. In spite of everything, Stefania was able to accept her choice and took its responsibility, carrying it through life, and smiling with pride.