In the bustling city of Almaty, shaped by a complex post-Soviet legacy where disability often carries deep societal stigma, Kira Shulgina’s narrative emerges as an inspiring embodiment of resilience, creativity, and self-realization. Born and raised in this culturally vibrant yet challenging environment, Kira’s life immediate opposition from the stark prognosis of her ophthalmologists: “They told me I’d inevitably go blind and questioned how I could possibly pursue medicine.” Yielding to family pressure, Kira shifted her academic path, first studying law, but soon finding the profession incompatible with her deteriorating vision. Struggling with document-intensive tasks, Kira courageously explored new directions. “I wanted to be a psychologist after medicine, but my uncle said psychology wasn’t a real profession,” she recalls, marking yet another pivotal moment in her quest for fulfillment.
Driven by her inner will and resilience, she turned to fitness and yoga, roles that nurtured her heart and physical strength. Ultimately, her enduring dream to heal found its manifestation in massage therapy. “I worked at a state polyclinic near my home,” she shares, “but after nine exhausting years, particularly after COVID, the atmosphere became unbearable. My department head wouldn’t even greet me,” a profound disrespect that served as her tipping point.
“At that moment, I realized I couldn’t continue. I said, “I’ve given the clinic everything I could,’ and left.”
Her courageous leap into entrepreneurship was fraught with fears and insecurities reflective of Qazaqstan’s broader socio-economic uncertainties. Kira confesses candidly: “I was terrified I’d starve without my stable salary of 110,000 tenge.” Nevertheless, her resolve, fueled and entrepreneurial journey deeply reflect Abai’s philosophy of Tolyq Adam, harmoniously integrating mind, heart and will towards holistic human flourishing. From childhood, Kira harbored dreams of becoming a doctor, driven by a heartfelt passion to heal. Yet her aspirations faced by dignity and self-respect, propelled her forward, transforming a small rented room into her own therapeutic sanctuary for children. Though profoundly fulfilling, entrepreneurial life brought distinct challenges tied directly to her visual impairment. “My insecurity stems from my difficulty maintaining eye contact. Clients often misunderstand, thinking I’m speaking to someone else,” she explains. Yet, Kira’s persistent will, complemented by her compassionate jurek (heart), has transformed these vulnerabilities into unique strengths. Her narrative exemplifies Abai’s holistic vision, as her entrepreneurial journey has become a profound personal transformation
The everyday systemic barriers Kira faces in Qazaqstan’s urban landscape further illustrate her resilience. “Every day outside is stressful. Sidewalks, curbs, steps — nothing here accommodates my needs,” she notes poignantly. The absence of empathetic assistance from strangers further accentuates these hardships. “People just observe without offering help. It hurts deeply,” Kira reflects, highlighting societal barriers more challenging than physical ones. Balancing entrepreneurship with family life proved another formidable challenge, profoundly shaping her emotional wellbeing. Her son’s honest reflection was a heart-rending awakening: “Mom, you weren’t around when I was little.” These words deeply impacted Kira, prompting her profound internal shift from obligation to genuine desire. “I replaced ‘I need to’ with ‘I want to,’” she explains, a transformative insight gained through personal development courses, marking a new chapter of self-care and internal harmony.
Despite infrastructural and social challenges, Qazaqstan’s supportive entrepreneurial policies have significantly aided Kira’s business. “In Qazaqstan, we have excellent entrepreneurial support for people with disabilities. Reduced taxes and prioritized tenders,” she proudly shares, yet she emphasizes the need for greater clarity and accessibility in available resources
Looking to the future, Kira dreams pragmatically yet ambitiously: “I have clear financial goals — to build a strong team and expand services.” However, her immediate focus remains on nurturing her practice’s intimate and inclusive atmosphere, where families feel comfortable and cared for. Kira’s definition of success transcends financial prosperity, deeply aligning with the values of respect, recognition, and personal fulfillment. “Success for me means being respected and valued. It’s essential for my self-realization,” she firmly states, proudly celebrating her identity as a recognized specialist in pediatric massage. Reflecting on her journey, Kira’s advice to other entrepreneurs with disabilities resonates profoundly: “Open your business today, don’t wait. Don’t let fear hold you back.” Through resilience, compassion, and continuous self-growth, Kira Shulgina stands not merely as a successful entrepreneur but as an inspiring testament to human potential and dignity, overcoming adversity and redefining disability through holistic self-realization. Kira’s narrative illustrates the profound power inherent in harmonizing one’s aqyl (mind), jurek (heart) and qairat (will), as advocated by Abai. Her journey is a compelling testament to the resilience needed to transform perceived deficits into profound strengths, highlighting a holistic approach as essential for personal and entrepreneurial success.