Soldier Vitalii Naryzhnyi, callsign NIZH

My name is Vitalii Naryzhnyi, callsign NIZH. My story is like that of many who joined the Defense Forces at the end of February 2022. I went to the Territorial Recruitment Center, handed over my old Soviet-style military ID, and said, “Assign me to any unit.” During my conscript service, I was in a construction battalion — I hadn’t even fired an assault rifle once. That’s how I ended up in the 101st Territorial Defense Brigade.

During my service, we were in many hot spots across the country. But for me, it all ended in Bakhmut.

On April 27, 2023, we were in the basement of a half-destroyed building. A shell hit — most likely from a tank. The explosion and I was already lying on the ground. I tried to get up — I couldn’t even sit. I grabbed at my leg — and it was a hot mess. I immediately realized I was bleeding out. Thank God, I didn’t lose consciousness and somehow avoided a concussion. Otherwise, I wouldn’t be writing this now. I applied a tourniquet on myself, called my comrade, and asked him to tighten it even more… The pain was indescribable.

Two of our guys were killed that day, and another five were seriously wounded.

Then came the evacuation — Druzhkivka, Izium, Kharkiv. In the hospital in Kharkiv, they tried to save my leg. But after three weeks, it became clear that saving it was impossible. First, they amputated below the knee, and later — above the knee.

That began a long and exhausting rehabilitation. There were several more surgeries. I was fitted with a prosthesis in Lviv, started recovering, doing some exercises, walking. But misfortune didn’t end. I slipped on an icy street and broke the neck of the femur of the same amputated leg. Another surgery, screws in the bone, and a ban on movement for several months.

Now things are more or less stable. I’m walking again with the prosthesis, using crutches for support. But I have a strong fear of falling. That’s why I applied for an electronic prosthesis through the state program, which helps maintain balance and has many functions for active living.

My immediate goal is to master the new prosthesis and learn to walk without crutches.

For this, I need to undergo a rehabilitation course at the best place I’ve been — the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the NCSIU. This is a unique center with specialists who truly help people return to active life.

And my dream is to get on a surfboard. Yes, that’s right — despite everything, to learn to surf.
I’m turning to the foundation asking for help to undergo this rehabilitation. This is another important step on the path to an independent, active life. I’m ready to work, to learn, to overcome fear and pain.

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The fundraising campaign for Vitalii Narizhnyi, callsign Nizh, has been successfully closed.

Vitalii’s need has been fully covered! He has already started his rehabilitation course at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the NSIU. This is an important step on his path to recovery and returning to a full life.

We sincerely thank our partners from Canada, as well as everyone who supported this fundraiser — every contribution, repost, and kind word made a difference. Thanks to you, Vitalii has received the chance to stand confidently on his feet again.

We believe that his rehabilitation journey will be successful. Thank you for being there. Thank you for helping our defenders never give up.

Vitalii’s rehabilitation course was funded under the program “Rehabilitation of Cyborgs 2.0,” supported by the Canada-Ukraine Foundation and UCC National – Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000