Soldier Petro Sitovskyi, call sign ZHOVTEN Copied!

My name is Petro Sitovskyi, call sign ZHOVTEN. The beginning of the full-scale war caught me abroad. At the beginning of March 2022 I returned to Ukraine and joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. I served in the Separate Presidential Brigade. In 2022–2023 I fought in the Bakhmut direction, and in 2024 — in the Svatove direction.

On September 16, 2024, while carrying out a combat mission, I sustained a severe mine-blast injury. After the explosion, my fellow soldiers were nearby — HIERA, LIUTSYFER, BARMEN, and FUNT. They provided first aid and remained with me until the evacuation. The battalion commander “Sumy” also played an important role in organizing the evacuation.

I remember these people well and am grateful to them for being by my side at that moment.

I was first taken to the stabilization point in Sloviansk, then came Dnipro, Kyiv, and Lviv. Due to the wound I sustained a severe spinal cord injury at the T11 level (ASIA A). I now move in a wheelchair.

My life after September 16 has changed greatly. Right now rehabilitation takes up a great deal of strength and time. I am learning to live with the consequences of the injury and want to learn to do as much as possible on my own. For me this is not simply about physical strength. It is about the possibility of regaining the ordinary things that make up a person’s life — to work, to move freely, to make plans, and not to depend on outside help.

I have set myself specific goals. I want to find work, learn to drive a car, and lead an active life. I understand that much work lies ahead and that there is no quick path here. I am learning to live anew. What was once ordinary and simple now requires incredible effort. But I am ready to work.

The next important stage for me is specialized rehabilitation at the “AGAPE” rehabilitation center. The program includes physiotherapy, occupational therapy, gym sessions, as well as psychological and social assistance. For me this is an opportunity to continue working on the strength, activity, and skills necessary for an independent life.

Thank you to everyone who helps me to move forward.

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Thanks to the project “Support for Families of Veterans with Disabilities. Recovery and Rehabilitation,” implemented by the Citizen Charitable Foundation within the “Capable and Strong” program, carried out by the East Europe Foundation with the assistance of Switzerland, Petro Sitovskyi was able to complete a specialized rehabilitation course at the “AGAPE UKRAINE” rehabilitation complex.

During the rehabilitation, Petro worked primarily on what directly affects his independence in daily life. And the goals set were achieved. Petro learned to navigate a 5 cm curb in a wheelchair while maintaining balance without losing equilibrium, to ascend and descend stairs in a wheelchair using a handrail and with minimal assistance, and to independently transfer from the floor to the wheelchair. At the time of discharge he was independent in carrying out the home rehabilitation program.

These results may look like ordinary everyday skills, but for a person with a severe spinal cord injury each of them means greater independence from outside assistance. It is from such steps that the return to the most independent life possible is built.

We are grateful to Petro for his perseverance and daily work during rehabilitation. As well as to everyone thanks to whom veterans with disabilities and their families have the opportunity to receive the necessary support on the path of recovery.

It is important to us not simply to speak about support for defenders, but to see its result in concrete changes in a person’s life. Today Petro’s result is new skills, greater independence, and one more completed stage on his path after a severe wound.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 73,500