Main points
- Volodymyr Moskalenko, a veteran of the 2nd Galician Brigade, is actively involved in adaptive sports for rehabilitation after being injured and having part of his leg amputated.
- National Guardsmen, including Oleh Semenyuk, are developing sports infrastructure for veterans in Lviv, in particular through the “Veteran Sports” program, actively involving veterans in sports initiatives.
National Guardsmen develop sports infrastructure for veterans / Collage of Channel 24
Veteran of the 2nd Galician Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine, Volodymyr Moskalenko, fought near Pokrovsk, but an enemy mine changed his life. Due to the injury, he had to amputate part of his leg. After treatment, the man put on a prosthesis and continued his rehabilitation, playing sports.
The Galician Brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine shared the story of the soldier and his rehabilitation after injury with 24 Channel 2.
How do National Guardsmen develop sports infrastructure for veterans?
A call from Oleg Semenyuk, a fellow athlete and certified trainer, played an important role in Volodymyr's rehabilitation. Oleg knew about Volodymyr's condition and in the conversation persistently convinced him to try adaptive sports.
Volodymyr himself recalls the beginning of his journey in sports as follows: “My brothers contacted me and offered to take part in adaptive sports competitions. At first it was unusual, I didn't understand how it worked. But I agreed. It's better than sitting with my pain in four walls. And here is an opportunity to reach out to people. We started training. I remember how I got to the adaptive basketball competition. There were also guys in wheelchairs on the teams. At some point I felt such excitement and strength that I was impressed for several more days.”
Today, Volodymyr is a regular participant in competitions. Shooting, swimming, and skiing became a way for the man to adapt after a serious injury at the front.
Before the war, brother Oleg Semenyuk was a certified track and field coach, and now serves in the ranks of the 2nd Galician Brigade. Currently, Oleg's mission is to help his comrades develop their physical abilities. Together with other instructors, Oleg is actively developing veteran and adaptive sports in Lviv.
Adaptive sports have a huge healing power. Its basis is an environment where “everyone is their own.” This helps boys and girls who have gone through the hell of war to feel safe. Everyone has similar experiences and challenges, everyone speaks the “same language.” Therefore, we focus on the widest possible involvement of our fellow brothers in various initiatives, and sometimes we organize such competitions ourselves,
– says Oleg Semenyuk.
Recently, a National Guardsman joined the Lviv sports system development program. Representatives from different regions of Ukraine were invited to the meeting to share their experience of openness to the needs of veterans and adaptive sports.
“I shared my experience and voiced the problematic issues that veterans face. It turned out that our experience in involving soldiers in sports is very popular in other cities. And the variety of sections with different types of sports for war veterans and wounded military personnel was surprising. Also, great interest was aroused by the discussion of the “Veteran Sports” program, which can be implemented by cooperating with businesses at the community level,
– the National Guardsman notes.
Lviv is currently an important platform where veterans are not just recovering, but becoming leaders of change. After all, sport is the language of strength that everyone who has gone through fire understands. More competitions and initiatives are planned in the future.
Oleg explains that the veteran should be the center of attention for every city. This is what the program participants constantly emphasize. To do this, they build effective cooperation with various sports grounds and government representatives. An example is the program “Residence of Solutions: Lviv Sports System”.
According to the trainer, helping with rehabilitation is also part of military service. Creating a training and nutrition regimen, conducting sports activities, advice on muscle recovery and weight-bearing exercises is where it all starts.
Hiding within four walls is not an option. I advise all veterans to join any sports initiatives. You need to join your community. Here they are ready and able to help, lend a shoulder and teach you how to overcome the challenges of fate,
– summarizes Volodymyr Moskalenko.
Together, the National Guardsmen have participated in many competitions, including well-known championships in adaptive and veteran sports: “Bestrong games”, “Strong People of Ukraine”, “Victory of the Unconquered”, “Warrior Cup” in shot put, wheelchair rugby, “League of Veterans”, “Titans of UA”, etc.
Oleg and Oleksandr have regular training and performances in their sports calendar. The servicemen are currently preparing for the next competition.
“We applied to participate in the “Unbroken Games”. This is the largest competition among wounded military personnel, organized by the Lviv City Council. It's like the Olympic Games for civilians,” says Oleg Semenyuk.
In addition, the National Guard continues to develop methodological recommendations for implementing joint sports projects with the participation of military personnel. They say they are ready to share their experiences, since the interests of veterans should be at the forefront in all corners of Ukraine.
What the guardsmen of the 2nd Galician Brigade are doing reminds us of the opportunities that sports open up for faster adaptation after injuries. And the example of cooperation proves that fighting brotherhood remains a pillar even after military service.
National Guardsmen are developing sports infrastructure for veterans: see photos
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