Soldier Yevhen, call sign VANGA
My name is Yevhen, call sign VANGA, and I am 24 years old. I began my military service in 2019. Three months before the full-scale invasion, my contract ended, but when the war began on February 24, 2022, I couldn’t stand aside. I immediately volunteered as a rifleman-sniper in the 68th Separate Jager Brigade. My goal was to protect Ukraine and my family.
Unfortunately, on April 9, 2023, during a combat mission, I sustained a severe mine-explosive injury. After the explosion, I tried to administer first aid to myself and remained conscious for another 40 minutes. My fellow medic told me I was evacuated two hours after the injury, and it was a miracle I survived. I underwent seven hours of surgery, after which I fell into a coma for ten days. When I woke up, I found that my entire left side was paralyzed.
My injury resulted from several terrible circumstances. During the shelling, I didn’t hear the enemy’s automatic grenade launcher targeting me. When I realized it, I tried to find shelter, but the enemy dropped grenades from a drone, and it’s a miracle I survived. During the surgery, doctors removed the shrapnel but damaged a nerve, which led to complications and paralysis.
I am currently undergoing a long course of rehabilitation and am encouraged by the progress. I can stand and am beginning to walk independently, but I need to continue treatment for a chance at full recovery. The doctors are optimistic, but the key is not to stop — to keep working.
I need recovery at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center.
I appeal to everyone who can to help me on this journey. My goal is to recover and return to an active life. I dream of becoming a military psychologist. I want to support people who have lost limbs or a sense of purpose, helping them find the strength to keep fighting.
Together, we can achieve victory not only on the front line but in life. Thank you to each and every one of you for your help and support. Glory to Ukraine!
COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 66,000
Yevhen completed his rehabilitation early at his own request, achieving partial results. During this time, his mother, Natalia, was by his side, not only supporting her son but also undergoing a 10-day rehabilitation course herself. Her presence was crucial, as she helped Yevhen overcome daily challenges caused by limited mobility in his limbs.
Currently, Yevhen can move short distances independently without assistive devices. However, for medium and long distances, he still requires assistance, as well as help with putting on his foot orthosis and using the shower.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed to Yevhen’s rehabilitation. Your support is not just financial aid but also an immense source of moral encouragement, enabling him to move forward and overcome challenges.
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Yevhen Kurchan, call sign VANGA, continues to fight. Not on the front line, but for the chance to regain at least part of his former life.
After a severe injury, the effects of which are still felt, the left side of his body functions only partially. For long distances, he uses a power wheelchair, and within a room — an orthosis and a four-point cane. Every step takes effort. Every movement is the result of daily, exhausting work.
Yevhen had already started recovery at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of the NSCDU. At that time, he made important steps forward. But due to difficult family circumstances, he was forced to interrupt the course. Now he has reached out to the foundation asking for help to resume rehabilitation.
For VANGA, this is more than working with specialists. It’s a chance to regain control over his body and life.
His rehabilitation goals are clear and vital: socialization, adaptation to society, communication. After a severe injury, there are many nuances that make interacting with the world more difficult. It’s important for him to learn how to be among people again — confidently, without the feeling of isolation.
A small but crucial goal is to move around his room without an orthosis. To gain better control of his body. To improve skills like dressing, using assistive devices, managing his orthosis, and special footwear. These are occupational therapy tasks that, for most of us, are routine — but for Yevhen, they are a daily challenge.
The foundation’s team has supported Yevhen’s request to undergo a 30-day rehabilitation course at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of the NSCDU. We are launching a fundraiser to cover the cost of this course.
This is a chance for VANGA not to stop halfway. It’s an opportunity to return to a more active life, to dignity, to confidence in himself.
We ask you to support Yevhen. A donation or a share of this information is real help for a person who gave his health for our safety. Let’s make sure his fight is not a lonely one.
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The fundraiser for Yevhen has been closed.
The need has been fully covered, and the rehabilitation course has been completed.
Yevhen sought help to restore his functions after a severe injury. His goals were not simple: to increase endurance, improve gait pattern, stimulate arm recovery, and work on strength, coordination, and functional mobility and this work has been carried out.
The results are not just numbers, they reflect a daily struggle:
- Four Square Step Test: 60 → 50 sec
- 6-minute walk: 180 → 143 m
- 10-meter walk: 13.3 → 12 sec
- Berg Balance Scale: 35 → 37 points
Behind every second and every meter stands the tremendous effort of Yevhen and the team of specialists.
We thank everyone who contributed: through donations, sharing, and kind words. It truly matters. Special thanks to the specialists of the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of NCSIU for their professionalism, support, and these results.
We believe this is just one important stage. And that more recovery and more steps forward lie ahead.
Yevhen’s rehabilitation course was funded within the framework of the “CYBORGS REHABILITATION 2.0” program with the support of the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC).
COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000
