Soldier Vadym Ivasyshyn, call sign ANGEL

In 2021, I joined the military on conscription, during which I signed a contract and entered the ranks of the State Border Guard Service. Before the start of the full-scale war, I served on the border with Romania.

When Russia launched its invasion, I did not hesitate for a minute about the possible consequences of the war and within a couple of weeks signed a new contract. The next day, I went to the border with Belarus to hold back sabotage groups. Later, I was deployed to the Vuhledar and Avdiivka directions in Donetsk region, where I served as an assistant machine gunner.

On November 1, 2022, after heavy shelling in Volodymyrivka, I began experiencing severe shock, numbness, headaches, and ringing in my ears. I was evacuated from my position to a mobile hospital, where I was diagnosed with blast trauma and acute stress reaction. Despite my weakened condition, I returned to my comrades, but psychologically it became increasingly harder. After a rotation home and the losses I endured, my condition sharply worsened, and I was hospitalized in a psychiatric clinic. There I was diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder.

After discharge, I continued serving on the border with Romania, but because of nightmares, voices of fallen comrades, screams, tears, and fear, I was hospitalized again. On January 5, 2024, after undergoing the military medical commission, my condition was officially recognized as combat-related, and I was demobilized due to health reasons.

But things didn’t get easier at home. On November 23, 2024, my condition suddenly deteriorated. War memories came alive in my head again: explosions, screams, blood… I tried to calm myself down, stepped out onto the balcony to get fresh air, but lost consciousness and fell from the third floor.

An ambulance rushed me to the emergency department. I received initial care and then underwent surgery in the neurosurgery unit. The result of the fall was severe spinal cord and vertebral injuries. Since then, my legs no longer respond, and I suffer from internal organ issues.

I have already completed 8 rehabilitation courses in state hospitals, but it is not enough. Rehabilitation specialists give mixed forecasts, but I refuse to give up and will fight until my last breath.

Now, to restore lost functions and have a chance to stand up again, I need long-term professional rehabilitation at the Western Rehabilitation and Sports Center of the NSIU, where they work with cases as severe as mine.

I fight every day and have no intention of surrendering. My goal is to get back on my feet and set an example for my comrades: you must not give up, even when you are told straight to your face that you will never walk again. I believe that this will be my victory over the injury.

But financially I cannot handle this on my own. That is why I must ask for help from the charitable foundation and from all caring people. Every contribution is my chance to take one more step forward.

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The fundraising campaign for Vadym Ivasyshyn has been successfully closed.

Friends, we sincerely thank everyone who contributed to the fundraiser. Thanks to you and our partners from Canada, the need has been fully covered, and the rehabilitation course has been paid for.

Ahead of Vadym lies an important stage of recovery. Rehabilitation gives him the chance to regain lost functions, rebuild strength and confidence, and take another step toward a full life.

We are grateful to everyone who supported this campaign — every donation, every word, every repost brought Vadym closer to this new chapter of his journey. Thank you for your trust, compassion, and for creating real miracles together with us. We believe in Vadym’s recovery, his strength of spirit, and in the hearts of people who never leave their Heroes alone.

Vadym’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

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Vadym’s first rehabilitation course is coming to an end, and the specialists have already reached out to us with a recommendation to continue his recovery and begin a second course immediately after the current one finishes. Right now, Vadym is actively mastering all the skills needed for an active wheelchair. He has started overcoming high curbs, training to move across difficult obstacles, and gradually learning to go up and down stairs. You can see how he’s getting stronger, how attentively he listens to the specialists, and how each new movement becomes more confident.

The team also emphasized the importance of socialization. Vadym spent a long time alone with his memories. Communication with other participants, conversations with specialists, and simply being surrounded by people who understand his condition provide the kind of support he had been missing for a long time. He is opening up, beginning to trust, coming back to life.

Swimming has now been added more actively to his rehabilitation. In the water, the body works differently — there is more freedom of movement and less pain. This helps reduce tension in the back, strengthen the arms and shoulders, and learn proper propulsion and balance.

Specialists are also motivating Vadym to train for driving a car with hand controls. This will be a huge step toward independence.

It is important to strengthen his body and teach him to use the wheelchair in a way that allows him to remain independent in everyday life. It is also crucial to prevent shoulder pain so he can move freely without fearing sharp sensations. That’s why the specialists insist on a second rehabilitation course. They see progress. They see potential.

To undergo the second course, 90,000 UAH is needed — a sum Vadym cannot raise on his own. We are opening a fundraising campaign and asking everyone who cares to support him.

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The fundraiser for the second rehabilitation course for Vadym Ivasyshyn has been successfully closed. The need has been fully paid, and for us this is a very important point of support. Because this course for Vadym is not just a continuation of sessions — it is recovery. It is a path to a more independent, full life. To a sense of control over his body and confidence in his own strength.

We sincerely thank our partners from Canada and everyone who supported this fundraiser with a donation, a kind word, or sharing. Your participation has a real impact. It is felt here and now, in Vadym’s daily work with specialists, in his progress and perseverance.

We are sharing a comment from the head physical therapist of the center, to show the daily work and real changes behind the numbers and terms.

The rehabilitation goals and objectives were aimed at mastering the skills of using an active‑type wheelchair, preventing shoulder pain, and improving overall strength and endurance. The set goals have been achieved.

Assessments by the physical therapist and occupational therapist, both initial and final, showed positive dynamics. According to the WST Form 5.3 scale, the result at the beginning of the course was 83 points as of 10.12.25, and at the end — 85 points as of 07.01.26.

At the start of rehabilitation, there were difficulties with transferring to surfaces of different heights, folding and unfolding the wheelchair, climbing high curbs, movements and turns while balancing on the rear wheels, and overcoming stairs. By the end of the course, stairs and 15 cm curbs remain challenging, but overall wheelchair handling skills have improved significantly.

Indicators of physical endurance have also improved. During 30‑second Wingate aerobic capacity testing on the ski concept, the result increased from 162 WAT to 180 WAT. Maximum power increased from 223 WAT to 230 WAT.

Specialists recommend continuing rehabilitation at his place of residence for social and everyday adaptation, as well as ongoing consultations with a physical therapist and occupational therapist.

We believe in Vadym’s further recovery. His path is not easy, but he is moving forward. And we thank everyone who walks with him on this journey.

Vadym’s rehabilitation course was funded under the “CYBORGS REHABILITATION 2.0” program with the support of the Canada‑Ukraine Foundation and the National Congress of Ukrainian Canadians (UCC).

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 90,000

TOTAL COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 180,000