This project explores how people choose their own life paths, and how sometimes these paths turn out to be much more challenging than we imagine. Stefania is a 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 to care for two men: her brother, who lost a leg due to alcoholism, and her father, who went blind with age. She never moved to the city to live her own life, saying, “Who would care for my men?”
At 43, Stefania decided to marry Ivan, a man from a neighboring village. In addition to becoming Ivan’s wife, Stefania also took on the role of his guardian. Ivan has a mental disability and struggles with alcohol use disorder. They have been together for almost 20 years. Despite the difficulties, Stefania has embraced her choices and responsibilities, carrying them through life with pride
