Soldier Maksym Bereziuk, callsign MASYANYA

Maksym Bereziuk, callsign MASYANYA, is my son — my pride. But now, he is not fighting on the front lines. Now he is fighting for life, for every new movement, for every word. And I am asking for help, because we cannot manage this on our own…

On the first day of the full-scale invasion, Maksym didn’t say a word to me. He just sent a photo of himself standing in line at the military enlistment office. I understood everything without words. That was the beginning of his path through war. He joined the Territorial Defense Forces, and later was mobilized into the Armed Forces of Ukraine. A sapper. A tough job, on the hottest fronts. Avdiivka, where he received a commendation from the President. No rotations for two years. He had injuries, cardiac arrest, two leg surgeries — but each time he returned to the front lines. Because his place was beside his brothers-in-arms.

But everything changed on February 7, 2024. During a combat mission near Oleksandropil in Donetsk region, a Russian drone hit the vehicle my son was in.

The fact that he survived such a wound is a miracle. Blast injury, severe traumatic brain injury, shrapnel wounds to the head, face, chest, and limbs. Stroke. Paralysis of the right side of the body. Loss of speech. Epilepsy.

Maksym has already undergone five complex surgeries. His body and brain fight through pain and exhaustion every day just to take one more step, to say one more word. Today he can already count, name the days of the week. He is learning to walk again. Learning to live again.

We have already come a long way and know the road ahead will be even harder. But he does not give up. Every day in his physical, speech, and occupational therapy sessions, he gives it his all. Under supervision, he is slowly starting to move on his own, cook meals, get dressed. He is learning to be independent.

But to continue this progress, Maksym needs long-term, specialized rehabilitation. His next hope is the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the NSCDU. This place gives a real chance at a full life, but the cost of recovery is unbearable for our family.

So we are forced to ask for help from donors. Every donation is one more day my son continues to fight. One more chance that he will speak freely again. One more step toward a life without pain and dependence.

Maksym is not just my son. He is a man who defended each of us for two years without pause. Now he needs our protection.


 

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The fundraiser for specialized long-term rehabilitation for Maksym Bereziuk has been successfully closed!

The necessary amount has been raised, the rehabilitation has been paid for, and Maksym has already begun his course at the “Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center” of the National Committee for Sports of the Disabled of Ukraine (NKSIU).

This became possible thanks to each of you. Every donation, every repost, every kind word — it’s not just support. It is a real chance at a new life for our Defender.

Special thanks to:

  • dobro.ua — for the powerful support of the fundraiser;
  • “Vikna-Novyny” — for the sincere informational coverage that helped share MASIANIA’s story with the whole country;
  • the team of specialists at the center — for their professionalism, care, and belief in recovery.

A comment from the center’s head physical therapist:

“Maksym is already moving independently from his room to the gym — 170 meters. He navigates the space well and remembers the routes. We are working on improving his walking skills, daily independence, and stimulating the recovery of his upper limb. The rehab plan is intensive and will last several months. But progress is already visible, and it brings hope.”

And we hold on to that hope — together with you.

Thank you for your trust, your support, and for standing with our defenders. There is still a long road ahead, but with you, it became possible.

We believe in Maksym. We believe in Ukraine. We believe in life after the war.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 360,000

 

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Maksym has completed three full rehabilitation courses at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the NCSIU. His progress is both noticeable and measurable. The test results (initial, intermediate, and final—where the initial and intermediate assessments were conducted with an AFO-type orthosis, and the final one without assistive devices) show clear improvement:

  • Berg Balance Scale: initial 48 points, intermediate 48 points, final 50 out of 56
  • Dynamic Gait Index: initial 12 points, intermediate 17 points, final 21 out of 24
  • Four Square Step Test (FSST): initial 18.8 sec, intermediate 19.2 sec, final 13.3 sec
  • 10-Meter Walk Test (10MWT): initial 9.4 sec, intermediate 9.37 sec, final 8.82 sec
  • Timed Up and Go Test (TUG): initial 16.4 sec, intermediate 11.45 sec, final 8.72 sec
  • Six-Minute Walk Test (6MWT): initial 280 meters, intermediate 355 meters, final 450 meters

And most importantly—Maksym now walks without an orthosis, moves independently, navigates space confidently, and is actively involved in daily routines. His recovery journey continues, but now he has both confidence and stability.

Thank you to everyone who supported this fundraiser through donations, shares, and kind words.