Soldier Vitaliy Ruban, call sign VETAL

I am 45 years old, and I am from the Poltava region. Before the war, I worked as an engineer at a sugar factory. My life was peaceful and steady until the time came to defend my country. In December 2022, I was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine and became a machine gunner in the 77th Separate Airmobile Brigade of the Air Assault Forces.

We carried out combat missions near Soledar and Bakhmut, but the hardest battles I endured were near Chasiv Yar. On March 5, 2023, during the defense of this settlement, our positions were hit by mortar fire. From the first strike, I lost feeling in the lower part of my body. My comrades tried to evacuate me, but during the attempt, we were hit by shelling again... I don’t remember what happened next.

I woke up in Dnipro, in Mechnikov Hospital, with terrible injuries: my left arm was torn, my right leg was fractured, my right shoulder blade and collarbone were shattered, my lungs were punctured, and my spine was broken at the T2-T3 level. Since then, my life has completely changed.

I am now bedridden. I cannot move my legs, and I am transferred to a wheelchair with the help of a special lift. In other words, if they seat me, I sit; if they feed me, I eat; if they lay me down, I lie down. For now, I cannot manage without assistance. But I do not give up, and I dream of returning to an active, independent life, as much as possible.

To achieve this, I need a special wheelchair - Aviva RX 20, that will help me become more self-reliant and ease the burden on my family. The funds provided by the state (UAH 90 628) are insufficient. I am compelled to ask for help: your support could change my life. Every contribution brings me closer to my dream of standing on my own again, even if in a different way.

Thank you to everyone who supports me in this struggle.

 

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Thanks to the persistent efforts of our foundation and successful negotiations between the supplier and the Social Protection Fund for Persons with Disabilities, we achieved the agreement that the wheelchair will be fully funded by the state.

Moreover, at VETAL’s request, a wheelchair with an extended configuration that meets his needs and preferences has been ordered.