Soldier Serhii

When the full-scale invasion began, I could not stay aside. On February 26, 2022, I went to the military enlistment office to join the defense of Ukraine. There was a huge line that day — many people wanted to join the defenders. But at that moment no one was being accepted.

I did not give up. For almost a month I searched for a way to join and defend my homeland. Again and again I thought about only one thing: I had to be where the fate of our country was being decided. Eventually, almost in despair, I went back to the enlistment office once more. This time they accepted me, although I still had to persuade them.

They gave me a summons and told me to come the next day with my belongings. That is how my service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine began, where I became a flamethrower operator.

In August 2022, on the Kherson direction, our convoy was ambushed.

When I was shot, I did not feel any pain. I did not even immediately understand what had happened. I only felt as if something had suddenly left my legs, as if they had been covered with something heavy. I tried to move them, but I could not.

There were two bullets. One damaged my spinal cord. The other — an explosive round — shattered inside my internal organs.

I was losing blood and began to lose consciousness. A female medic named Yulia tried to provide me with first aid. I learned about this only later, because at that moment I was unconscious. The injury was extremely severe — pneumothorax, a lot of blood — and it was difficult for her to handle it alone. Then she called a medic from another unit who was in our convoy. He was the one who did everything necessary to save my life.

After that, a long and very difficult treatment began.

In two and a half months, my weight dropped from 68 kilograms to less than 40. Even 68 had never been much for me before.

After treatment in Ukraine, I was sent to Germany, where doctors fought for my life in two different cities. They told me their prognosis honestly — I would not walk.

But I still dream of a different life.

Right now I urgently need specialized rehabilitation at the “AGAPE” rehabilitation center. It is necessary at least to restore the functioning of my urinary system and help my body regain basic functions.

But honestly, my dream is much bigger. I dream of walking again. I dream of running. I dream of riding a skateboard, a bicycle, and skiing again. What once seemed like an ordinary life has now become my greatest dream.

I survived thanks to medics and my comrades. Now my battle is for recovery and for an active life after the injury.

Rehabilitation at the “AGAPE” center gives me a chance to take an important step toward recovery, but it requires significant funds. That is why I am forced to ask for help.

 

COLLECTING: UAH 92,400