Anar Guliyev
Chairman of the State Committee on Urban Planning and Architecture of the Republic of Azerbaijan
Samir Alizade
Landmine survivorIntro
In his interview, Samir Alizade, a landmine survivor, shares his life before the tragedy, tending to livestock. While visiting a nearby area, he stepped on a landmine, losing both legs, one eye, and two fingers. Rescued after hours, he was taken to hospital for treatment.
Despite enduring pain, he found strength in resilience, learning to adapt to prosthetics. His father’s passing left him and his mother to carry on alone, with fewer animals to tend. Though the body aches, the spirit remains unbroken, as he moves through life, ever-learning to rise again.
Summary
In Samir Alizade's opinion, despite the life-changing accident he endured, a person can adapt to any situation as long as they are alive. Samir, originally from the village of Tartar Seydimli, was a Kalbajar refugee involved in animal agriculture before the accident. He recalls how, after the liberation of his lands from occupation, he ventured to visit them and accidentally stepped on a landmine. The blast resulted in the loss of both of his legs, one eye, and two fingers. He lay injured for several hours before being found and transported to Baku for medical treatment.
Regarding his recovery, Samir notes that it was extremely challenging at first, with his pain lasting for months. However, he emphasizes that with time, a person can adjust to any situation. Over time, he adapted to using prosthetic limbs, though he still experiences pain and discomfort, especially when first putting them on in the morning. Despite these challenges, he feels that daily life becomes easier once the body gets used to the prosthetics.
The accident has significantly impacted his work life. While he used to manage a larger livestock farm, he now only keeps a small number of animals for personal use. His father has passed away, and he is left with his mother to manage the farm. The loss of his limbs also means that certain tasks are no longer possible. Despite these setbacks, Samir maintains a positive outlook on life and is determined to adapt.
Samir’s experience reflects resilience and the strength to move forward, even in the face of tremendous hardship. He remains hopeful, finding strength in adapting to his new circumstances, and expresses gratitude for the support he has received. He also acknowledges the importance of staying mentally strong, as it helps to cope with pain and challenges, and he encourages others in similar situations to never lose hope.
