Solutions to win: war veterans compete in Portugal to promote rehabilitation of injured Ukrainian soldiers

On October 5, 2024, in Madeira, Portugal, two Ukrainian veterans and adaptive athletes with prostheses, Valeriy Kovalchuk and Yaroslav Sharky, participated for the first time in the Ultra Madeira international trail running race.

The press service of the "Laço Ucrânia Portugal" association reported that.

What is the problem?

The physical and psychological toll of war has left many Ukrainian veterans struggling to reintegrate into society. The injured soldiers require extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and disability support. Many have lost limbs, suffer from traumatic brain injuries, and have chronic illnesses. These veterans need access to specialized medical treatment, including prosthetics, rehabilitation services, and mental health support, to cope with the trauma they have experienced during the war.

Unfortunately, the Ukrainian government's efforts to rehabilitate its veterans have not been sufficient. The government's limited resources and delays in providing necessary support have forced many veterans to seek help from non-governmental organizations and rely on donations for their basic needs.

Moreover, the rising number of Ukrainian veterans also presents a challenge for the country's already struggling economy. Most of these veterans are in their prime years of productivity and were forced to leave their jobs to serve their country. With their return, they face difficulty in finding stable employment due to their disabilities and the economic downturn caused by the ongoing war. This puts them at risk of poverty and further deteriorates their mental and physical well-being.

The Ukrainian government's responsibility to address the needs of its veterans is not just local; it is global. The international community must understand the gravity of the situation and step in to provide much-needed support. Countries should come together to provide financial aid, medical assistance, and vocational training to help Ukrainian veterans rebuild their lives.

What is the solution?

On October 5, 2024, two Ukrainian veterans and adaptive athletes, Valeriy Kovalchuk and Yaroslav Sharky, debuted at the Ultra Madeira international trail running race in Madeira, Portugal. Their mission was to raise awareness for the rehabilitation of Ukrainian veterans, and they also organized a fundraiser to enable wounded soldiers to receive jaw implants.

The veterans trekked 15 km on one of the most challenging off-road trails at an elevation of over 600 meters above sea level, completing it in 5 hours, 51 minutes, and 28 seconds.

"This was our veterans' first time participating in such competitions in Portugal, and it had an important motivational purpose—to demonstrate by their own example that a serious injury, like an amputation, is not a life sentence. It is crucial to keep living and have faith in one's own strength. It is heartwarming that Portuguese athletes, the local government, and the Ukrainian community in Madeira were actively involved in the project's implementation," Tetiana Franchuk, project organizer and co-founder of the "Laço Ucrânia Portugal" association, said.

Furthermore, the goal of having Ukrainian veterans participate in the Ultra Madeira competition was to raise awareness among the global community about the needs of Ukrainian soldiers who have been seriously injured and lost limbs while defending their country against Russian aggression.

That is why, during the race, Ukrainian veterans also collected funds for maxillofacial implants for Ukrainian veterans. You can support the collection by following the link.

"These projects aim to return veterans to the playing field for systematic training and camaraderie. It's also important to break them out of isolation. And most importantly – "Brothers for brothers." This time, the charitable focus was collecting funds for Doctors for Heroes to purchase jaw implants for our heroes," Volodymyr Nechyporuk, producer of the IRON EGGS festival and co-founder of the YANKO Charitable Foundation, said.

For reference:

It's worth mentioning that on September 29, Kyiv hosted a bike race for all and a leisurely ride on Trukhaniv Island. This charitable gathering aimed to collect funds to support the Air Defense Forces in the Kyiv region.

Also, a charity run was recently held in Kyiv, and the American historian Timothy Snyder supported Ukrainian prisoners of war.

In addition, a charity race, the "Cup of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine," was held in the capital. At the event, funds were collected for inclusive equipment for war veterans.