DO YOU KNOW THE HEROES AMONG US?

Sandra Mickovska has Bachelor degree in economy since from the University “St. Cyril and Methodius” in Skopje. Young, full of life and desire for new knowledges, Sandra, although is a girl with hearing impairment, successfully completed the training “Skills for Success” of Pivara Skopje and once again proved that with a lot of effort and dedication all life challenges can be overpassed. Faced with hеr disability since the earliest childhood, today Sandra with 23 years, proudly speak about her personal achievements and the support from the family and friends. Firmly believes that with all knowledge and qualities she has, regardless of the fact that she is a person with hearing disability, if she is given a chance for employment, she will professionally and responsibly meet the tasks.

What were the things that you and your family had to give up from to get to this success?

Many things. From going out and having fun with friends and relatives, from the Sunday walks in the park, nights out…because I was not able to hear the lessons at school and at the university, I had to  complete that loss at home with a lot of studying.

How much energy and sacrifices you had to make to be part of the team that wins?

I will get back to the first question and I would say, a lot. Many of my classmates by listening the lectures had mastered at least half of the material. But I had constantly to invest enormous energy and commitment to get to this what I am today.

Did you face any moral and physical barriers on the way of your integration and socialization?

I had no physical, but I had moral barriers. Even today I face moral barriers because some can not realize that the people with disabilities and special needs are not ill and that their impairment can not infect them. We believe that we deserve equal treatment as all other people.

Did the conditions in the educational system satisfied your needs from the

I can say they did. As early as in the kindergarten, and later during all my education at school and on the faculty I was surrounded with  people who completely accepted me the way I am and treated me as equal with them. But there were times and times when more than anything I needed an interpreter for sign language to easily pass the material. Somehow, I compensate that with a lot of work, effort and self-sacrificing.

Are there enough seminars, trainings, courses and workshops that help you in achieving your goals?

Previously no, but once I went on a university and I finished it, a lot of doors are open. But nothing would have been possible if I had not made enough effort to prove that I am equal with other people.

Does the training “Skills for success” of Pivara Skopje, the employees, your classmates helped you in bridging another obstacle on the road to the success?

The training “Skills for success” of Pivara Skopje is a great experience for me. I must point out that thanks to the approach to the topics, the work and the material, I gained new knowledge. It also helped me to overcome the fear and encourage me for future professional challenges.

Are there conditions and professional areas where you can fully realize your intellectual capacities?

My area of ​​interest is of course the economy. I graduated on the Faculty of Economics and that is the area that I would like to upgrade. When it comes to the conditions and opportunities for my professional accomplishment I think there are still some prejudice about the people with disabilities.  But I do not give up. I believe I have sufficient knowledge and qualities and that, regardless of what I am hearing impaired, if I am given a chance for employment I will be able professionally and responsibly to answer the tasks.

On which moment you are especially proud?

I am particularly proud on the moment of my graduation. I have realized my dream and I proved myself and others that if something is wanted so hard , there are no obstacles to be reached. My parents are also very happy and proud on my success. Without false modesty, it’s not easy for a hearing impaired person to graduate on the State University. I am also proud on the 10-year experience as a dancer  in “Koco Racin” , on my tours through Europe with them, my volunteer work as coordinator of a humanitarian action in the SOS Children’s Village, as well as any other additional engagements in life that I did with hard work, but with much love.

What was your motivation to succeed?

My whole life I was led by the desire to prove myself first and then others that we, the people with disabilities are and can be equal with others.

What are your goals and future plans?

Thanks to my persistence, commitment to learning and certainly the support of my parents I was able to accomplish my biggest goal, to graduate and become an academic. My next goal is to find a job in a government institution or else, some plays that will provide me conditions appropriate to my needs and then to get a Master’s degree in accounting and audit on the Faculty of Economical sciences.

Can we expect any other great achievement of you in the future, something that will make us as a country especially proud and something that will inspire generationsof young people?

By graduation I consider myself as an inspiration for the young people with hearing impairment to make a different choice and to continue with university education. I’ll be especially proud and happy for anyone who achieve my success.