Yuliia and Liliana’s journey into Special Olympics Canada
A surprise war, a relocation halfway around the world, and plenty of fish. Yuliia and Liliana’s journey into Special Olympics Canada is perhaps a bit of an unusual one, but their reasons for joining—and staying—within our organization are perfectly clear.
Yuliia Kondratska and her family lived in Irpin, when it was suddenly invaded by Russia during 2022. Irpin was one of the first cities in Ukraine to be attacked, so the immediate urgency of leaving their once peaceful home came completely out of the blue.
A carpenter by trade, Yuliia’s husband has found a true passion for fishing — a hobby that’s not very common in Ukraine but holds special meaning in Miramichi. It’s a pastime he shares with their daughter, Liliana, and together they’ve spent the past two years exploring various bodies of water across New Brunswick in search of the next big catch.
Further helping their adaptation to this new country are Monique and Mike Kettela: people who volunteered to help Ukrainian refugees in Canada, but have since become close family friends of the Kondratskas. This, combined with Canada’s multicultural values, is one of the reasons why Yuliia felt her family could build a good life for themselves in Miramichi. However, there was one element missing. Her precocious and hard-working 10-year-old daughter Liliana has Cerebral Palsy, and needs accommodation due to her disability.
In 2023, a humble Facebook link began Liliana’s involvement in Special Olympics. Through her internet searching, Yuliia started speaking with some volunteers who kindly helped her get her child involved with weekly sport practices. Nowadays, the 10-year-old Liliana is involved in Active Start, Bowling, and—her favourite—Swimming. Wanting to buy a pool in her family’s backyard, Liliana is already planning of creating her own souvenir business and saving up money.
Part of Liliana’s swimming motivation is a pair of twin boys she met in Special Olympics named Misha and Vaniia who have Autism. She enjoys spending time with them and is working hard to reach their level of skill. Liliana is also starting to find herself as a young athlete leader in Special Olympics, encouraging her teammates along their own journeys.
“She helps her best friend Theo,” Yuliia said. “He uses a wheelchair and is non-verbal, but that’s never stopped their interaction. She truly enjoys spending time with him during all kinds of activities.”
Working as a Ukrainian Liaison Officer for R2 Employment Solutions, Yuliia also started volunteering in roles to support other new Canadians in much the same way that the Kettelas helped her family settle. As President of the Miramichi Multicultural Association, Yuliia is grateful for the opportunity she was given to nurture Liliana’s growth, and is now paying things forward.
“God Blessed me with this girl,” Yuliia said smiling, “she motivates me. She puts stickers on my desk, that say, ‘Mom I believe in you.’”