Soldier Artem Ivkin, call sign JAFAR
My name is Artem Ivkin, call sign JAFAR, born in 1991. I come from a picturesque village in the Khmelnytskyi region, where I live with my wife and two small children.
On the 29th of January 2023, I was called up for service. After completing the course of a young fighter, I joined the ranks of the 10th separate mountain assault brigade "Edelweis" and was immediately sent to one of the most dangerous areas at that time - Donetsk (Bakhmut district), where I performed all the duties assigned to me.
On the 28th of June, 2023, after a heavy assault, during the evacuation of wounded comrades, I received a severe head injury. In critical condition, I was evacuated to Dnipro, where I was immediately operated on at Mechnikov Hospital (open penetrating ricocheted head injury to the occipital region, 3rd degree brain contusion).
From there, I was transferred to the Oleksandrivska Clinical Hospital in Kyiv.
However, the prescribed treatment did not give desired results. The motor functions of the body and some reflexes were lost. After consultation, the doctors transferred me to the Lviv Military Hospital. However, my condition continued to deteriorate rapidly, so I was referred to the neurosurgical department of Uzhhorod City Hospital.
On the 11th of November 2023, I was discharged from the Armed Forces for health reasons.
During this difficult period for the whole family, I saw my own sons for a few days in total. The serious state of health and constant rehabilitation take up all the time and a lot of money. My wife Victoria is forced to simultaneously raise our young sons and look for funds for each subsequent rehabilitation. During the most recent one, I also suffered a stroke.
At this stage, despair borders on hope for our young family. The children dream of seeing their dad by their side, my wife dreams of seeing her husband, and my grieving mother dreams of seeing her son.
We need the support of people who care!
Because hope is all we have left now.
Currently, I need to continue my rehabilitation at the Zakhidnyi Rehabilitation and Sports Centre of the National Committee for Sports for the Disabled People of Ukraine. The centre specialises in the rehabilitation of injuries like mine. However, the state does not compensate for my rehabilitation at this centre.
With financial support from the Citizen Сharity Foundation, Artem completed a 30-day rehabilitation course at the Zakhidnyi Rehabilitation and Sports Centre of the National Committee for Sports for the Disabled People of Ukraine.
During his course at the center, JAFFAR made significant improvements in walking, particularly in terms of independence and safety. The main rehabilitation goals with Artem were aimed at reducing the risk of falling and improving endurance and strength. After a month of work, he was able to achieve independent walking without assistive devices over short distances. For medium and long distances, he still requires an assistive device in the form of a single-point cane.
Thank you to the rehabilitation specialists for their professional work! Sincere thanks to everyone who supports severely wounded defenders!
COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000
Artem Ivkin continues to struggle with the consequences of a severe brain injury after being wounded. His condition requires long-term care and specialized rehabilitation for recovery.
For further progress, Artem must undergo another intensive individual course of physical therapy at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center.
This stage of rehabilitation is extremely important to stimulate the recovery of damaged and lost cognitive functions. A neuropsychologist, an occupational therapist and a recreational therapist will be involved in the process. Together, the specialists will draw up a comprehensive treatment plan aimed at improving walking, reducing the risk of falling, improving Artem's general condition and quality of life.
Each session will bring him closer to regaining his lost abilities and independence.
COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000
TOTAL COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 180,000