No excuses: "Life - the best teacher" - an interview with businessman Alexei Talai

Echoes of war

- Hi Aleksey! I am pleased to welcome you to the special project Layfhakera.

- Hello, Anastasia!

- Where you're from? Who are your parents?

- I'm from Orsha, in the Republic of Belarus. Our family is a model father, mother and younger brother. We lived in harmony. Father worked on the railroad, and his mother an accountant.

- How did it happen that the shell of the Second World War broke (literally) your life into "before" and "after"?

- In our region during the war were heavy fighting, was a warehouse of ammunition. Many years have passed and people are still artifacts those bitter times. Grandfather - a veteran of the Great Patriotic War - always warned my brother, how dangerous such finds. In general, he talked a lot about the war: how his comrades were killed, people are starving ...

I was 16, I went to the railway technical school. On the eve of Victory Day, I went to my grandfather - to visit, help with the housework. Near the portion going to our children: the powder was collected and fired. I remember the covenant grandfather, they always drove.

On that day, 8 May, I again drove these hooligans and started to extinguish the fire. And at this moment, as I later realized there was an explosion.

I woke up in the 3-4 meters away from the campfire. I did not understand what had happened. He opened his eyes, he began to get up. I tried to lean on the arm, and they seemed somewhere failed. Brought his face to them and saw a terrible sight... I tried to get to his feet but looked up and saw that his legs severed above the knee, too.

Realizing that nothing I can do, I just lay down and looked up at the sky. It was wonderful: deep blue, cloudless. I was fully conscious.

- Help soon arrived in time?

- At the sound of the explosion soon ran grandparents. The panic began.

It was unbearable to see the favorite old eyes. Grandfather without scratches returned from the war, but its echo caught up with him after so many years. At that time, the physical pain was not so painful for me - it was harder to see the mountain grandparents.

But that is what eventually gave strength to treatment and rehabilitation.

I could not give up. Thought, grandfather rendered all the horrors of the war, so I sdyuzhil.

Example grandfather and education of parents have done their job. Now I know: the basic principles of family psyche laid in childhood.

- As far as I know, you had to balance between life and death?

- Yes. First resuscitation, then boxing for dying (started gas gangrene). Doctors told her parents that such injuries do not survive. Miraculously, I survived 12 days. Then I learned about the Minsk military hospital Professor Nikolai Abramov. He came to Orsha and under the responsibility undertaken to cure me. First hours of operation are every day, then every other day.

Barrier-Free America

- In the process of rehabilitation you were in Germany, and then traveled all over America. Tell me about it.

- Yes, in Germany, I was presented with the electric wheelchair. It changed my life, opened up freedom of movement.

The US went on the invitation of well-known business speaker Bob Harris. He knew my story and called to see how they have been established work of social and charitable organizations. We had traveled almost 30 states. Left wonderful memories.

- What should we learn from the Western countries?

- First of all the available infrastructure. We have a barrier-free environment is associated with ramps for wheelchairs. They have it covers the interests of all citizens with limited mobility. Infrastructure is committed to the plane: a flat floor and the road, no thresholds and curbs. It is convenient and the elderly, who can not lift his legs high, and mothers with prams.

For us it is also beginning to develop. Nineties when everyone survives as best he could, fortunately, behind. But progress is slow. The problem is not in the state. Businessmen, build new buildings, often just do not think they can find themselves in a wheelchair that are old or that the store will go to their wives and kids. Everyone wants to make it easier and cheaper. But if there is a possibility to do the conscience. And if possible even more help in other areas.

- For example?

- Traveling to America, I was on the ski resort of Vail. For me, just look at the skiers and snowboarders it was fun. But Bob said: "Now go upstairs and you will ride on a special chair." I was surprised at first, then I frightened the top town, where we were, seemed quite tiny. I began to make excuses, and Bob said, "You're Russian! Come on! ". It touched me, bit his lip - come what may. As a result, it rolled three times - it is incredible experience!

In our countries, people with disabilities often do not have such feelings exactly. Play sports, it can be rehabilitated through the unit. Need support for businesses to open sections, purchasing equipment, and so on.

- And the attitude to disabled people in the West is very different?

- different, but it's not because the people there are some special. Everything is again connected with a barrier-free environment. There handicapped active, they work, are engaged in public affairs, the world is available to them.

In our country, if the person was in difficult situation, it is written off from the accounts. Society does not see prospects in it, they say, he is now a burden, should sit at home and mourn. And the man actually becomes so. He suddenly sees how many around the steps and other intangible barriers. It can break down.

Gift - a new life

- How did you came up with the idea to open your own business?

- At first I was on the provision of the state and is not particularly worried about how to provide for themselves. More doing rehabilitation. But 19 years, I realized that, in spite of everything, the beautiful half of humanity is interesting, and wondered if the family will create, how I would feed her? To live on the salary of his wife or ask for money from my parents was (and still is) to me unacceptable.

I decided to start their own businesses. I take a lot: from the taxi to the trade. In the end, he built a small beautiful building that is now the lease.

- A lot of bureaucratic obstacles had to be overcome?

- Enough. When collecting paper for the construction, sometimes I read on their faces: "Why is it necessary to him? All the same, it will not work. " But mostly I come across warm-hearted people who helped and advice.

There were also purely domestic difficulties: I need to meet, and there is no one to take. I had to make a hundred phone calls to solve the "problem". It would be possible to spit on everything and delegate someone to their authority. But it was important to do everything yourself.

But now I can say with responsibility: all that I have, I have made myself.

- Why do you do philanthropy?

- I would have answered "by the dictates of the heart," but I'm afraid that sound too pathetic. :)

As I said, everything is laid in childhood. When I was seven or eight years, I happened to see a man with amputated legs. He sat near the entrance on a wooden board with wheels. It shocked me. I've been thinking about it, imagine how he lives. It was very sorry for him. After that, I was always asking my parents to give alms when we met unfortunate man.

But the real help, I thought, being on rehabilitation in Germany. There were kids cancer patients - came to the surgery.

With one boy I strongly friends. He was a prankster: would jump to my carriage, chasing me. After surgery, he came back into the game - bald head on a huge scar. He heard the sound of my carriage, stretched his arms forward and said, "Lesha, Lesha, where are you?". I realized that, although he had his eyes open, he sees nothing. Barely restrained tears ...

After that, firmly I decided that will help children.

- You are not only helping yourself, but try to bring it to others. It is difficult to find a response?

- different reactions. Someone becomes hysterical: "What am I to you, Rothschild or what ?!". Other light, but the enthusiasm quickly fades out.

Help mainly those who themselves experienced some serious situation. They understand that we are not separate individuals - we are society. Giving happiness to someone, you become happy myself.

I'm not saying that everyone should help. But if you have a bit more than you need, then why not?

- Maybe it is because people do not trust charities? They do not believe that their hard earned will reach the needy.

- There is. 95% of people think so, and are entitled to it. But if the desire to help is really sincere, we must not be lazy, spend a few days to study this or that organization. How transparent reporting it, they really help or just rent an office and pay his salary? Read the reviews about them, meet with management.

Or you can provide targeted assistance. Sometimes it completely changes the life of a person.

- True?

- A good example - Yana Karpovich. She was 15 years old when we gave her a carriage with an electric drive. Prior to that, she was at home and occasionally go out, when mom after work could bring it. Use an electric gave her freedom. I am extremely happy when I saw Yanochka, walking through the city, happy and independent. And what was my surprise when after some time she called and said: "Uncle Lesha, I'm looking for a job! I want to help my mother. " She became a track jobs online, eventually got a job in a call center, every day she goes to work. I am sure that this little girl is waiting for a bright future.

So sometimes stroller - it's not just a gift. This is a new life.

Russian Nickname

- Alex, you referred to Russian Nick Vujcic. You, too, stands in front of an audience with motivational speeches?

- Call. :) In America I was even confused with it. Smiling, approached, they asked to be photographed. I could not understand, do after a couple of interviews, I became so popular? But then they told me that they have a guy who was born without arms and legs, and that is very popular in the United States. I looked on the internet - in fact, we have something similar.

As for the performances, I tried myself as a speaker in America. There is widespread. One spoke to the audience of about 200 people at a meeting of representatives of all the Chambers of Commerce of Texas.

Homes too, from time to time speak. Recently I made a speech in one of the largest Belarusian companies. But to me Nick far: he does it professionally, and I have a lot of other things.

- But you Vuychich capped the number of children. :) You have three of them!

- Yes. :) Mark eleven Vlad nine and three Dasha. Insanely proud of them and grateful for what they've got.

- I heard you even went to the University to submit an example to children.

- That's right. He entered the Belarusian State University Faculty of History. I want to show kids that anyone can go to a prestigious university and succeed in school, so they have no reason to play up: "Dad, I'm tired, I do not get."

- What do you think about the so-called remedial classes where children with disabilities learn in isolation from their healthy peers?

- I think that a child should have a choice: to study at home, to learn in a conventional or specialized class. But in general I am for integration. If we are not talking about the mental problems that require adaptive educational program, it is best to all the kids went to school together. Child with a disability that will help socialize and children without - to become more tolerant and kinder.

Parents and teachers will need to think how to explain that all people are different, and, if the boy or girl is physically different from you, it does not mean that he (she) is better or worse.

At least, my children, I try to teach it.

- What other qualities do you educate them?

- kindness, courage. I want them to perceive reality correctly, and desire a better country.

A case was when we once collected gifts for the orphans. The whole room was littered with things. When Mark Vlad saw this "feast" they asked, "And who is it?". I replied that the children who grow up without a mother and father, and in the eyes sons realized they penetrated. Not asked yourself any toys, no chocolates.

- Alex, what do you dream about?

- To close were healthy and happy. And more to build a house, to create a cozy nest, where children will grow up.

- The interview comes to an end. Wish something readers Layfhakera?

- Appreciate what you have. Especially loved ones. You can pursue a lack of money, failure, betrayal. But if it happens in your life, it is necessary to pass with dignity. At any distance there is the finish. Sooner or later you will break the tape and begin a new segment. The main thing - to move forward and easy to take the test. Along with them comes an invaluable experience.

Do not get hung up and not Retrieve your lost! All the difficulties are temporary, but life - the best teacher. It will certainly lead you to happiness.

- Alex, thank you very much for this interview! You touched me deeply.

- Thank you for inviting!