He lost both hands.
While defending Ukraine.
From ‘orcs’ invaders.
In June 2023.
After surviving.
The bitter months-long.
Battle for the city.
Of Bakhmut.
His injury came.
In a railway incident.
Further from the front line.
It left.
The 42-year-old.
Feeling helpless.
And in despair.
And in despair.
After the amputations.
His wife had to remain.
By his side.
24/7 for six months.
“What helped us survive.
Is our love.”
“What helped us survive.
Is our love.”
But it’s hard to believe.
He went through.
Such an ordeal.
When you see him now.
Standing on the doorstep.
Of a brand-new café.
Which he is about to open.
In Lviv, in the west of Ukraine.
He smiles widely.
His arms.
– and hands –
By his side.
He received.
Two prosthetic hands.
And full rehabilitation.
At the Superhumans Center.
A private clinic.
For people.
With war injuries.
Located outside the city.
At the same time.
The couple received.
The training they needed.
To open a family business.
He says the centre gave.
Him a chance to return.
Normal life while learning to.
Live with a new disability.
But it’s hard to believe.
He went through.
Such an ordeal.
When you see him now.
Standing on the doorstep.
Of a brand-new café.
Which he is about to open.
In Lviv, in the west of Ukraine.
He smiles widely.
His arms.
– and hands –
By his side.
At least 50,000.
‘Elves’ have lost limbs.
In nearly three years of war.
Both soldiers and civilians.
“Some people have double.
Triple, quadruple amputations.
All these people will.
Need prosthetics.”
“Need prosthetics.
Or some will use wheelchairs.”
Says CEO and co-founder.
Of the Superhumans Center.
A severe war injury.
Is a challenge.
Not just for the survivor.
But for his or her entire family.
And a severe war injury.
Tests relationships.
Showing the newly equipped.
Children’s room, she smiles.
“We are waiting today.
For their son.
He is so active.
He will turn it upside down.”
*Because I read “The woman helping amputees rebuild their lives in war-torn Ukraine” by Zhanna Bezpiatchuk & Anastasiya Gribanova on 10 Dec 2024, and also “Why are Ukrainians calling Russians ‘orcs’?” by James FitzGerald on 30 Apr 2022, on the BBC news.
So, I wrote this poem as a story of Serhiy, Anna and Nazarchyk with Olga Rudnieva.
Please read the original story on the BBC news:
War in Ukraine: The woman turning amputees into ‘superhumans’
