Through Thorns to Success: How the Fund's Support Shaped the Professional Path of Adna and Senada

(Patria) - The Fund for Professional Rehabilitation and Employment of Persons with Disabilities of the Federation of BiH has been providing support for years, visible through completed education, new jobs, launched businesses, and greater independence of persons with disabilities.

The best indicator of the effects of these programs are the people who used them. Among them are Adna Ibrahimović and Senada Grbo Šehić, two women whose stories show how timely support can impact education, work, and economic independence.

Adna Ibrahimović is a Master of Law, a doctoral candidate in legal sciences, and an employee of the Clinical Center of the University of Sarajevo, where she works as a physiotherapy technician. As a person with 100% vision impairment, she faced numerous obstacles during her education and professional development: from access to literature and teaching materials, to the costs of additional education and finding stable employment.

Adna Ibrahimović

The Fund's support meant for her the opportunity to continue investing in knowledge and building a professional path.

"The Fund's support made things much easier for me. It's that 'through thorns to success.' The Fund was a wind at my back, because financial resources were the biggest problem for realizing my ideas," says Adna.

Through the program for financing additional qualification and retraining, she received support that helped her complete her studies, develop competencies, and open up opportunities for employment. Her example shows how important it is for the system to recognize work, ambition, and knowledge, not just the obstacles a person faces.

"The Fund's staff are characterized by kindness, professionalism, and great friendliness. At the Fund, the doors for persons with disabilities are always wide open," said Adna.

As she explained, with persistence, hard work, and appropriate support, desires can become achievable goals.

"The key is to have desires in life. If you have desires and dreams, you can achieve them."

The second story comes from entrepreneurship and preserving tradition. Senada Grbo Šehić founded a company in 2015 that deals with the production of vintage, hand-forged jewelry. Her products are created by hand, through traditional techniques and careful shaping of unique pieces.

In a small business, the costs of materials, taxes, contributions, equipment, and product placement are often a major challenge. Therefore, the Fund's support has a direct and practical significance for Senada.

"Tax and contribution subsidy programs are extremely important in this business today. Also, non-refundable funds help us procure raw materials and develop production," emphasizes Senada.

Subsidies enable her to run a more stable business, while non-refundable funds help in procuring raw materials and continuing production. This means she can plan, develop new products, and remain active in the market.

"It is very important to feel useful in this society and that there is an institution that provides support and helps everyone have the opportunity to work and create."

The stories of Adna Ibrahimović and Senada Grbo Šehić show that persons with disabilities, through work, knowledge, and persistence, do not seek privileges, but rather accessible opportunities and a system that recognizes their potential.