Today we have the honor to talk to a person, for whom I am honestly not sure, whether the smile or the everyday pain makes it more recognizable. When I told her that I wanted to write about her, she was skeptical, she told me that she had a lot of interviews and that she said everything that had to be said, so let's wait for something new professionally. But in the spontaneous conversation we had, we both realized that there are things you haven't mentioned before. That is certainly why she is writing an autobiographical book.

Iskra Doneva is a famous poet, humanitarian and activist.

- I was born on July 20, 1983 in Skopje, a happy Wednesday, on Holy Sunday. We have the same birthday with Alexander the Great. Cancer in the horoscope, the sign Leo with the moon in Sagittarius. From cancer I have creativity, inclination towards home, family and empathy. From the lion is my leadership, public work, vision, and from the shooter the desire for adventure and travel. All in all, a good combination. I finished high school in the natural-mathematical high school Rade Jovcevski - Korcagin due to my curiosity about natural sciences and the desire to work with computers. However, later the love for writing prevailed and I enrolled at the Faculty of Philology Blaze Koneski in Skopje, Department of General and Comparative Literature. At the same faculty, I later completed a master's degree in novel and film. This suggests that one of my hobbies, in addition to writing, is film, painting, photography, the desire to spend time in nature, knowledge of the stars and astronomy, travel, and the like. Everything that makes life beautiful, exciting.

Iskra has cerebral palsy from birth, was born in the seventh month of pregnancy and was placed in an incubator where there was no electricity

- First, it is interesting that the night before my arrival, in anticipation of my birth, my father made a tapestry "Sunrise", which is a kind of metaphor for my sunrise and my life later. By the way, my godmother Kostadinka Gavazova was in charge of the delivery. She says that I fought so hard for life and the sparks shone in my eyes from the first moment, that she could not give me another name but Iskra. I was born in the seventh month of pregnancy with a caesarean section, taken out of my arms, alive, healthy and well, but later in the incubator the power went out and cerebral palsy occurs, tells our poetess.

Despite the diagnosis, Iskra was a nimble child. Until she was 3 years old, she had no control over her body, she could not sit without support, she had big spasms, she could not bend her legs, she kept them upright, and she walked on her toes. But at the same time, as she says, she explored the world by crawling, and later with the help of a walker, which she still has, and adds:

- I found ways to participate in all children's games, hide and seek, rubber band and other children's mischief, adapting them to their abilities. For example, in a hideout, I usually counted, or if I was hiding, then instead of counting to 10, it counted to 100 or up to 1000, so I had time to hide. I was holding a rubber band, but it is important that I participated. We played various roles in dramas and the like. I had a cheerful and happy childhood, I was always a smiling and dreamy child, with a huge imagination. Hence the desire for writing, to design my world the way it suits me. The things I could not do in reality, to do in writing. I have never felt different, nor have I asked myself why I am different. It was simply instilled in me that I was normal, equal, healthy and that I should fight for my place under the sun. I was just asking about that birth story of what and how it happened. It was more important to me how to proceed, to straighten up, to become a big girl, to chase boyfriends - the future, not the past.

The first days of school, how do your peers see you? Then, even during your teenage days, were there any "weird" views and comments?

- For my first school days to look normal, to be happy and fulfilled, my dear teacher Ljupka Pajkovska was responsible, I experienced her as a second mother. Before I came to class, she explained to my friends what my condition was, that we should hang out, rejoice together, help and that I was simply no different from them and that they should accept me as I am. And so it was, we had a lot of nice friendships, going on excursions. My fondest memories are of school. My attitude has always been proactive towards people. In case they did not know how to treat me or how to help me, I was the one who encouraged them, who openly talked about my condition, explained to them everything that was not clear to them. I did not allow those strange looks to pass. On the contrary, I have been greatly appreciated, helped, and recognized by other people as an inspiration. The teenage years were different. Korchagin, at that time was a school that required a lot of commitment, so we spent a lot of time studying and had less time for socializing than we would like. Everyone helped, including the children, friends, classmates, but it took time to mature in terms of love and other different ways of communicating. But on prom night I made up for everything. For the first time I dressed so solemnly, I danced with everyone, and dances, and tango, and disco, to the last strength.

Given her health, it is logical to assume that Iskra had some limitations in terms of social life. Here is how Iskra tells about that period of her life:

- Usually, I did not allow disability to count in my normal life. In general, I always behaved like an older, more responsible child. I was prematurely mature in some way. And of course I enjoyed those teenage outings, they were my first in the city mall, in the cafes that were then IN, in the night clubs, in the cinema, pizzeria maybe some. Everything in moderation, with good taste and in the name of fun. Drunkenness has not happened to me in the true sense of the word, because I have always known the measure and it was a glass or two, for mood or toast. It happened two or three times that I had small accidents, for example at the age of ten, after we left the celebration, the cold air cut me off, so when I got home everything was funny to me. Or, a few years ago, celebrating my birthday, they made me a stronger drink in the cafe and so after that I had to sober up from it three times. During my student days, all the cultural events that took place in the city were relevant to me. I did not miss anything, be it an exhibition, cinema, theater, poetry, music performances, concerts. I simply visited everything that was beautiful and interesting in the city, and most often I attended those events that were organized by the French Cultural Center. I am satisfied, established in the social life of Skopje and Macedonia, and beyond, recognized as a poet. About ten years ago, I enjoyed a phase of Casanova, with different qualities. So, my motto is that I do all the things, and maybe even better than my peers, and more often and more fulfilled, just maybe in a different way or with some help that I have always received.

The self-confidence that Iskra radiates is obvious, and which she says is her foundation for all life successes. She says that it is due to the way she was raised by her parents, namely that she is a normal and healthy person who has to fight for everything she wants to achieve, and continues:

- I start from the fact that I have nothing to lose, I can only gain. I always have in mind the goal, which gives me all the necessary strength and energy to overcome all obstacles and get what I want. With each success, she grows bigger and bigger. They can take everything away from me, but self-confidence is the one with which I can rebuild everything. I have a habit of saying: I am like a seed, throw me anywhere, I will sprout.

We are all witnesses, that in the workplace some of us constantly complain that something hurts, that today he does not feel well, daily "groans" and "whining". Hence, I consider Iskra's decision to look for a job at all a heroic step, because she has real and huge pains every day. Here is the story of her employment:

- I got a job in the spring of 2008, with a lot of enthusiasm. The first options I wanted were the National University Library "St. Kliment Ohridski ”and the Institute of Literature, but they were not architecturally accessible for my needs. Then I had the opportunity to call a public announcement of the City of Skopje where I tried to convince the recruiters that they need a person like me to have a perspective for beautiful projects for the city. I use my writing talent and experience as a person with a disability, as a user, and later as an NGO manager in my workplace to create projects that will make life easier for people with disabilities in the city. From the beginning I had great support from the then mayor, Mr. Trifun Kostovski, and also from my superiors, and continues in relation to communication with colleagues:

- With colleagues and others from the environment we had periods of acquaintance, adjustment, which is common for other people. Our relations are based, above all, on deep, mutual respect, understanding, we function as an exceptionally good team that I am proud of. However, I think I still have a lot to show and give in order to develop my career, to use all my potential and to be more valued my ideas, efforts and work.

Two things are part of your daily routine: the excruciating pain and the irresistible smile. Which of these do you personally identify with the most?  

- In fact, I have always seen the challenges in my life, only as a rate to success, to a happy life, to smiles .. Lately there have been a number of accidents, losses, but I am trying to find a nice creative way to make a catharsis of them, to write songs, to paint, to deepen some friendships. Every bad thing is good. A smile makes everything better, it is always my trademark, but it does not always mean that if a person is smiling, everything is honey and milk, and in order.

You stated on one of the portals that you are waiting for true love to happen to you. How long will you wait for her and, given that you want to realize yourself as a mother, would you decide to get pregnant from an unknown donor? Which is more important to you, to become a mother or to find the "prince"?

My prince escaped in 2015, I do not wait for him anymore. I am waiting for the one who will happen, will stay, will endure, will support me, will endure and will understand. The one who will give me wings and with whom we can grow, develop, and enjoy life together. For now, I enjoy my single status, I learn a lot of new things about myself, I grow and I prepare to become the partner I would like to be. For parenting, I sincerely hope it will be a complete package, meaning mother, father and child. However, the future is unpredictable, so I let it happen as it will. My priority is to be a mother and I will do everything to achieve that. I'm not sure how much the laws, doctors, and society in Macedonia are ready for a mother with a disability to have a child with an unknown donor, but simply all options are open, so as it turns out, it turns out, I hope for the best.