My name is Julijana Kocis. I live in Sombor and I was born with severe disability having Cerebral Palsy. I could not use my arms, my legs – I am only using my head. But since childhood I was eager to learn all that could be learned even I could not go to regular school. My mother helped me in all my attempts to gain as much knowledge as I can. In the age of 22 I have got typing machine from my grandmother. I did typewriting holding plastic stick, 20 cm long, in my mouth.
Still, as severely disabled person there was not so many other possibilities for my development, especially in the area of my interest. With the technology era and computers appearance I realise that my greatest wish is to have one.
Sometimes when it seems that we are in the corner of a life, suddenly some light start shining on us and new hope is there…
At that time, almost year ago, my 80 years old mother could not help me any more due to her illness. I was involved in project From alternative to standardisation implemented by Center for Independent Living Serbia and has got personal assistant. My life become joyfull and more qualitative.
I am telling all of this, as this was the way which led me to my PC. The idea how to have PC actually came from my personal assistant. We agreed to advertise in local newspaper and ask if someone would like to donate one PC I would be happy for that!!! Friends of my PA who are working in this newspaper wrote the text and we was waiting… Later on fe found out that this text was never published but the idea was spread between friend of a friends and „the secret plan was made“.
A month latter my peersonal assistant told me the news and I could not belived – I was told that one computer should be „on my desk“ very soon! Everything was like a dream and that dream was realised by two young men, who would like to stay anonimous but to make my dream come true. I am happy knowing that there are such a good people having my gratitude eternally.
My organisation for CP provide me komputer training and I was very good student. I use specially designed mouse to manage it with my beard and I am writing with the same plastic stick, I used on my typing machine. I am using e-mail, WORD program, contacting with my friends on MSN and SKYPE, listening music and watching CD movies. I have my window to the world and I am feeling like a citizen of the world because I am using Internet and nothing is inaccessible for me now.
Here, this is my story and I am glad to share it with all of you who would read it. I will be glad to know that some other person is having similar story. My life now is much more qualitative and filled with different nice issues.
