Soldier Ihor Malyi, call sign MALYI

My name is Ihor Malyi, and on the front lines, I am known as MALYI. I joined the fight to defend Ukraine on the first day of the full-scale invasion. As an assistant grenadier in the 64th Separate Rifle Battalion, I have witnessed many horrors of war, but the most devastating moment occurred on March 24, 2023.

That day, near the village of Pavlivka in Donetsk region, we were carrying out a combat mission. It all happened in an instant: a powerful explosion, an impact, and then darkness. I was saved by the quick actions and selflessness of my comrades — under heavy fire and risking their own lives, they pulled me from the battlefield. According to the records, I was taken first to Pokrovsk, then to Dnipro, where doctors removed a large fragment lodged in my head. Unfortunately, many small fragments remain. Blood loss, a coma… and the long road to survival began for me in Vinnytsia.

The injury took my left eye (where the largest fragment entered) and left my right side paralyzed. Doctors said the chances of returning to a normal life were minimal. But I didn’t give up. After a year of intensive treatment and rehabilitation, I learned to walk again. Every step was a struggle, but each one became a small victory on the way to my ultimate goal.

I dream of returning home and becoming a strong support for my family. I want to work the land on my own, plant a garden, and grow crops to bring joy to my loved ones. But to achieve this, I still have a long way to go. Right now, I desperately need specialized rehabilitation at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of the Ukrainian National Committee for Sport of the Disabled. This program would give me a chance to regain mobility and rebuild confidence in myself.

I appeal to everyone who cares to support me on this difficult journey. Any help is not just financial—it’s your contribution to my dream of becoming useful again to my country, my family, and myself.

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Thanks to the support of caring individuals, our defender Ihor successfully completed a 30-day rehabilitation course at the "Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center" of NKSIU.

This journey was challenging but incredibly important. The main rehabilitation goals—improving walking performance, endurance, speed, and reducing fall risk—have been achieved! Through Ihor’s perseverance and the specialists' support, his overall strength and stamina have significantly increased.

Rehabilitation Achievements in Numbers:
‒    6-minute walk test: +79 meters (from 396 m to 475 m)
‒    10-meter walk test: +0.49 m/s (from 0.93 m/s to 1.42 m/s)
‒    "Get up and go" test: -5.5 seconds (from 13.8 s to 8.3 s)
‒    Four-square step test: -2.5 seconds (from 14.1 s to 11.6 s)
‒    Dynamic gait index: +3 points (from 16 to 19)
‒    Berg balance scale: +2 points (from 51 to 53)
‒    Barthel index: +5 points (from 90 to 95)
‒    Fugl-Meyer assessment: Significant improvement in motor function.

Notably, the strength of his hip extensor muscles, previously weak, has greatly improved—an important step toward independent walking.

What’s next?

Rehabilitation specialists recommend that Ihor continue active exercises at home. This will help him further refine his walking skills and adapt to everyday life.

Thank you to everyone who contributed!

This result is our shared victory! Immense gratitude to everyone who supported Ihor—whether financially, informationally, or morally. A special thanks to the rehabilitation specialists—your work is priceless!

Together—toward new achievements!

 

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000