Soldier Bohdan Yarotskyi, call sign SILVER

I, Bohdan Yarotskyi, have a SILVER call sign.

Prior to the full-scale invasion, I worked as a forester at the Izium Forestry State Enterprise. From the first day of the full-scale invasion, namely on 24 February 2022, I joined the territorial defense forces. 

On 9 March, during the enemy's massive shelling of the city of Izium by aircraft, artillery systems, tanks and mortars, I was wounded in the right leg. At the time, we were trying to change positions near Mount Kremianets. I was pulled out of the battlefield by Cossacks from the 81st Brigade; and got evacuated to Kramatorsk.

At that time, I didn't think about myself at all, all my thoughts were about my hometown, because there were fierce battles going on there, and I had relatives, friends and people dear to me who later found themselves under the occupation of the nazi russians. All my thoughts were about the frontline, so it was inappropriate to feel sorry for myself.

From Kramatorsk, I was evacuated to Vinnytsia, without documents, without a penny, without a leg. It was there, in a strange, unfamiliar city, that I saw and felt the hard and important work of volunteers with my own eyes. They brought me everything I needed, offered and provided all kinds of help.

As soon as I recovered in the hospital, I immediately started fitting prosthetics. The process was not easy, having received a training prosthesis, I tried to throw away my crutches as soon as possible and walk on my own because I had to return.

I was discharged just the day before the liberation of my native Izium, I knew what I had to do... 

In mid-September '22, I returned and immediately went to my military unit. There I was told that I would be useful and could continue my service if I wanted to, because someone had to do the paperwork.

That's how I got back into the ranks.

In the spring of '23, the commander called me and confirmed that I had the opportunity to take part in the selection for the national team of Ukraine in the Invictus Games*.

I passed.

I participated in several types of competitions: "sitting volleyball", "wheelchair basketball" and "rowing on a simulator". I am currently preparing for the competition in Dusseldorf.

Now I have a fairly simple prosthesis, which is not suitable neither for competitions nor for a long trip abroad. In addition, due to the strain of training, my physical parameters of the body, weight, stump size have changed. 

Therefore, I urgently need a modular prosthetic leg with a silicone liner. It will help me represent Ukraine with dignity at this year's Invictus Games 2023 international competitions, which will be held on 9-16 September in Dusseldorf, Germany. It will also make my active everyday life easier.
 

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* The Invictus Games support servicemen and women on their way to physical recovery, psychological rehabilitation and social integration, shaping a positive outlook and motivating them to engage in sports and personal growth. 

The Invictus Games aims to promote the development and popularisation of sport as an effective means of rehabilitation among wounded soldiers, as well as to encourage society and the state to create the necessary conditions for this.
 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 223,932.58

 

After the Invictus Games, I returned to military service and defence of my homeland.

Due to excessive loads, my liners (covers for the stump) wore out, which makes using the prosthesis painful and uncomfortable. 

This year, I have exhausted the right to receive liners under the state programme, so I am turning to charity for help.

The Citizen Foundation purchased two liners (Enkor V) for Silver.
 

TRANSFERRED: UAH 12,208

 

TOTAL COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 236,140.58