Soldier Illia Demyan, call sign SOKIL (FALCON)

From the first days of the full-scale invasion, I returned to Ukraine from abroad to be close to my people and defend the land I grew up on. I voluntarily joined the 128th Separate Mountain Assault Brigade. As part of the unit, we were deployed to the Zaporizhzhia direction — near the village of Huliaipilske.

It happened on June 1, 2022. While carrying out a combat mission, we came under fire. I was severely wounded — a blast injury, a penetrating shrapnel wound to the head. Fortunately, my comrades saved me and quickly evacuated me to the nearest hospital. I was in a coma for ten days. Then — another ten days in a hospital in Dnipro. After that — evacuation to the Volyn Regional Clinical Hospital, where I had to start everything from scratch.

I learned to walk. Again. Learned to speak. Again. Sometimes it felt like even my bones were protesting every movement. But I’m alive. And that obliges me.

When I was discharged, my home became a gym. My father trains with me every day — we work out however we can. But I can feel that my resources aren’t enough. To return to a full life, I critically need professional rehabilitation.

I dream of speaking freely again, without having to concentrate on every word. I dream of running, not just moving. I want to live — not just survive.

The best option for me now is rehabilitation at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the National Sports Committee for the Disabled of Ukraine. They work with severe neurotrauma cases like mine. They have equipment that isn’t available at home. But financially, our family can’t manage it alone, so I am forced to ask for help.

I have no right to give up — because I’m alive. And that means I can still fight!
 

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The fundraiser for the rehabilitation of severely wounded defender Illia has been successfully closed — the course has already been completed and paid for. Ahead lies the path to a full life. And we truly believe it will be a bright one.

The team of specialists at the *Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center* confirms that the rehabilitation goals have been achieved:

  • Gait improved through increased strength, endurance, and functionality
  • Activation of the upper limb's function.

The test results speak for themselves:

  • “Get Up and Go” test: from 9 sec to 7.82 sec
  • 6-minute walk: from 390 m to 441.5 m
  • Berg Balance Scale: from 52 to 54
  • Overall gait assessment — consistently high.

Illia has been advised to maintain an active lifestyle and seek continued support locally for further adaptation.

We thank each and every one of you who contributed with donations, shares, encouragement, and belief. A special thank-you to the team at the *Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center*. You are doing incredible work.

Together we help bring our defenders back to life. Together — we are stronger. And ahead lies even more good.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000