Soldier Volodymyr, call sign VOVCHONOK

My name is Volodymyr, call sign VOVCHONOK

On 27 May 2022, I was mobilised by the Odesa Territorial Recruitment Centre and sent to the 28th Motorised Brigade to perform combat missions.

I started defending my homeland from the borders of Mykolaiv, and later our unit was transferred to the Kherson direction, where we fought for the liberation of Kherson. Then we were redeployed to Kostiantynivka, Donetsk region.
 

 

On 22 December 2022, during the next russian offensive near the village of Kurdiumivka, Bakhmut district, Donetsk region, while performing a combat mission, as a result of artillery shelling, I sustained gunshot shrapnel wounds to the lower third of the right forearm with traumatic amputation of the hand. In addition to the arm, my lungs were also damaged.

My comrades provided first aid on the spot, despite the ongoing shelling, quickly evacuated me from the battlefield and transported me to Kostiantynivka. There, doctors pumped out fluid from my lungs, stabilised me and transported me to the intensive care unit in Dnipro.

Four days later I was already in a Kyiv hospital, where I received further treatment. It was in Kyiv that my upper limb was amputated. The doctors had fought hard to save my arm, but unfortunately, three times there was severe bleeding that threatened my life. The doctors had no choice but to make a radical decision - complete amputation of the upper limb.

Now I need a bionic prosthesis (a prosthesis after shoulder arthroplasty with an external energy source) with a Vincent wrist. (https://www.vincentsystems.de/en) This wrist is one of the best in the field of prosthetics and will provide me with sufficient functionality and comfort.

Just like before the full-scale invasion, I dream of raising my daughter, driving a car, and living an active life. But not having a prosthesis prevents me from fulfilling this dream. Pain, difficulties in performing certain actions with one hand, and limitations in physical activity have significantly reduced the intensity of life. 

Modern prosthetics can solve this problem.

Changes have been made to the legislation regulating prosthetics funded by the state budget. Wounded defenders with high amputations of the upper limbs can now receive high-functional prostheses immediately upon initial prosthetics. Additionally, the maximum prices for state-funded prosthetics have been increased.

Therefore, the prosthesis for VOVCHONOK will be fully paid for by the state, and there is currently no need for charitable assistance.

All funds collected for VOVCHONOK's bionic prosthesis will go towards the prosthetics for Serhii Pandrak, call sign SYVYI.

 

COLLECTED AND TRANSFERRED: UAH 94,064