“In my dreams, I still have two hands.” The story of Gennady Tatarkin, who after an injury and amputation began a career in IT

«Before ERAM, I didn’t work in IT at all»

Before EPAM, I had no connection with the field of information technology. I dreamed of a theater career, studied to be an economist, worked at a furniture company, where I lost my hand. Today I work in the company’s archives department. I work with documents — digitization, structuring and control of archives.

I joined the company after Covid in 2021, when people started returning to the office, and my Welcome pack still had a mask with the logo on it. And three months later, a full-scale invasion began.

«You will work longer and harder than others»

I’ve had many jobs in my life. Eight years ago I worked at a furniture factory, where I injured my hand in production. Later it had to be amputated.

After the injury, I was at home for a year, worked at the company for another year, but in a different position. Then I started looking for a job. It was a very difficult year. At first, I considered options in Bila Tserkva, where I live. Searches, interviews, mini-training. Considering the category of my disability, they didn’t even hire me for a simple job. Suddenly, I would have to do something with my hands, carry it? «You’ll do it longer and worse than others,» was the impression I got from the rejections.

Fateful meeting

Then there was a chance meeting with a person who much later recommended me to ERAM. I am still grateful to her for this recommendation. At first, it was unusual at work.

A lot of training at the start, a lot of unfamiliar terminology, some provisions had to be reread several times. But in fact, these are logical things based on the company’s experience — ethical behavior, data security, compliance, etc. That is, you know from the beginning what we do, what we don’t, how we communicate, that is, there are spoken rules. Over time, you transfer these rules to your private life, they help. Gradually, I got used to the Anglicisms.

«I’m not going to become a developer or tester yet»

I like the flexible format — I can work from home, but I often travel to Kyiv. Sometimes out of necessity, and often because there are colleagues there, new tasks, interesting meetings. We have a large department, about 30 people come to the office, the rest work from home. Among them are people with invisible disabilities. But this does not affect the speed or quality of task completion.

My work does not require knowledge of a programming language, but if desired, in the company you can master any IT direction on the internal training platform, get mentoring support. But I am not going to become a developer or tester yet. Perhaps in the future the development of AI will encourage this. But now, despite the fact that Ukraine is rapidly digitizing, electronic document flow is duplicated in paper form for storage. Conversely, there are old documents in paper form that our department digitizes in order to preserve and in the future give them to AI. I think people will have enough work for a long time. However, I regularly take corporate trainings on the use of AI tools.

Psychological barriers for people with disabilities

Today, the situation with hiring people with disabilities in the country is changing, often the obstacle to employment is not in the physical condition, but rather in the psychological perception of a person. I remember that after several consecutive refusals, I would give up and have crazy doubts. I think that refusals affect everyone. This requires resilience and working through your own reactions. I am no exception.

I am a creative person, since childhood I dreamed of a theater university, worked as a host of events, was involved in cinema and theater. Once I starred in the group of the film «The Secret Diary of Symon Petliura». And I liked it.

But there is no other advice here than to look at life honestly, to understand what we want, how we will achieve what we want. To perceive it not as a tragedy, but as new circumstances in which we need to find a different way of doing things. Maybe not right away, maybe it will be more difficult, but to regain our independence. Two weeks after the amputation, I could sew things up. One day I wanted fried potatoes. But not bought, not cooked by someone, but made according to my own recipe, the way I want. And I also found a way to peel potatoes with one hand — a board and two screws.

This weekend I learned how to tie shoelaces, with bows like everyone else, with one hand. Before, I either had someone help me, or I hid them in my shoes, or I avoided lacing them altogether. Yes, I do some things more slowly, but what once seemed impossible to me is possible. Now I’m thinking about a 3D printed guitar pick that I saw on social media. Yes, I can’t do some cool tricks yet, but in the future with a bionic prosthesis it might sound really good. But I have to teach myself to think that I can. I know that I’m suitable for any job that I can afford. And then the employer will be convinced.

«People often don’t notice my disability»

At first, it seemed to me that everyone was looking at the prosthesis. But later, I stopped thinking about it. Usually at work, I conduct an «initiation» for newcomers: what to do, where to start. It turned out that most of my colleagues did not notice the prosthesis the first time. In general, people’s reactions in society can be different. Children are more curious: they can look at it, ask questions. I’m fine with that. I rather feel embarrassed because of the reactions of their parents, who try to keep quiet, «line them up», saying, don’t look at it.

«ERAM is an inclusive company, as far as it can be in Ukraine»

EPAM has facilities for people with disabilities, constantly working on the topic of accessibility, both spatial and digital. Remote format, flexible schedule, the opportunity to work part-time. People with disabilities are more likely to see doctors, go to the hospital for seasonal or annual examinations to confirm disability. Therefore, it is very convenient that there is an opportunity to combine work and worry about health. It is convenient for everyone — EPAM gets the result of work, people — do not make their condition worse. EPAM is definitely an inclusive company, as far as it can be in Ukraine

Barriers are gradually decreasing. There are organizations that help veterans with adaptation, etc. There are many organizations and structures in the country where you can get psychological support. But support from society, employers, and the creation of conditions is the best investment in the well-being of Ukrainians.