“When I was diagnosed, it felt as if my life was over. Today, I want people to know: even after the hardest trials, it is possible to live, dream and build a new life,” says Lesia.
Her story began long before the full-scale war. After a difficult divorce, Lesia became seriously ill. She had a constant fever, rashes and weakness. A doctor advised her to get tested for HIV. “I never imagined this could have anything to do with me. When I received the result, I simply did not understand what to do next. I was completely emotionally devastated.”
In 2019, she was registered at the Kyiv City AIDS Centre (Hospital No. 5) and immediately started antiretroviral therapy.
It was then that people appeared beside her who quite literally saved her.
“I was not left alone. Psychologist Tetiana, civil society organisations such as Kyianka, and people who had already gone through this journey supported me every day. Without them, I do not know whether I would have coped.”
But the most difficult trials were still ahead. Because HIV was diagnosed late, her immune system had almost stopped working. Lesia developed tuberculosis, which affected not only her lungs but also her brain.
“When I was hospitalised, the doctors said there was almost no chance. At one point, my CD4 cell count had dropped to just four. I lost my memory and, after treatment, I literally had to learn to write again. But I survived.”
A year and a half of treatment, dozens of pills every day, injections and long rehabilitation – she was able to get through all of this thanks to discipline and the support of the people around her.
“I always say: therapy saves lives. But it is just as important to have people beside you who will not let you give up.”
On 22 May 2023, Lesia was forced to leave Ukraine.
She reached Lviv thanks to the volunteer initiative Prykhystok, which helped Ukrainians evacuate and find safe transport to European countries. From there, she travelled to Germany.
“It was frightening. You leave your whole life behind and do not know what tomorrow will bring.”
Fortunately, her therapy was with her. Before leaving, Lesia informed her doctors in Ukraine, received a supply of medication, and later the Ukrainian clinic helped prepare all the necessary medical documentation for her doctors in Germany.
“This made my registration with the healthcare system much easier. I advise everyone: if you can, be sure to take your medical documents with you or ask your doctor to prepare an official medical extract.”
In Stuttgart, Lesia found a clinic specialising in treatment for people living with HIV. “When I came there for the first time, they asked me only one thing first: ‘Do you still have your therapy?’ They immediately focused on making sure my treatment would not be interrupted.”
The doctors carefully reviewed her medical history, requested documents from Ukraine, changed her treatment regimen and began monitoring her results regularly. “For the first time, I felt that the doctors were genuinely happy about my progress. When my viral load became undetectable, my doctor celebrated with me. That kind of attitude is very supportive.”
Lesia also contacted AIDS-Hilfe Stuttgart, where she received information and support. “I was welcomed very warmly. I realised that I was not alone. This is very important when you are just starting life in a new country.”
Despite the successful continuation of therapy, adaptation was not easy. During the first months, Lesia lived in temporary accommodation centres, attended language courses, looked for work and tried to navigate a new system of life. “I thought I could manage on my own. But one day I realised I could not do it anymore. Constant stress, worries about my mother, a new country, another language – it all kept building up.”
She went through severe depression. “I did not want to leave the house. I thought it was just tiredness. Only later did I realise it was real depression.” Finding a psychotherapist in Germany turned out to be difficult – she had to wait for months. Only after a long search did Lesia find a specialist, start treatment and begin taking antidepressants. “I want to tell other people: do not be afraid to seek psychological help. Antidepressants are medicines just like medication for high blood pressure. If you need them, there is no reason to be ashamed.”
Today, Lesia lives in her own rented apartment in Stuttgart. She works in elderly care, continues to learn German, does sports and travels around the country a lot.
“I really wanted to prove to myself, first of all, that life had not ended. Now I work, meet people, study and discover Germany for myself.”
She also gladly helps other Ukrainians who are just arriving in Stuttgart, sharing contacts of doctors, interpreters, clinics and civil society organisations. “If I can help someone at least with advice, it means that everything I went through was not in vain.”
“Do not be afraid to ask for help. Do not lose faith in yourself, even if right now it feels as if nothing is working out. Learn the language, travel, meet people, look for what brings you joy. And remember: even the darkest period of life comes to an end. I know this for sure, because I have been through it myself.”
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This publication was prepared by Fundacją HelpNow HUB within the framework of the project “From heart to heart” in partnership with Fundacja Step by Step and Fundacja Res Humanae, with financial support from the Elton John AIDS Foundation.