Veterans who have suffered severe injuries continue to live fulfilling lives. Sometimes even more fulfilling than before. These are strong individuals with complex experiences. They dream, work, raise children, achieve new goals, and live.
Expressing gratitude to a veteran when you meet them is always a great idea.
It’s very simple to share the warmth and add confidence to a veteran. The successful adaptation of disabled military personnel depends on us, so can we really stay aside?
Strong individuals are at the center of the social video “Respect” by the Ukrainian Veterans Foundation:
- Olga Benda is an ATO veteran. She joined the service in Avdiivka as part of the 72nd Separate Mechanized Brigade in October 2016. Olga lost her leg in May 2017 due to shelling of Ukrainian positions. As early as 2019, the veteran completed the Marine Corps Marathon. She is raising two sons.
- Oleksandr Filippov is a serviceman of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. He participated in the liberation of Chernihiv Oblast, battles in the Zaporizhzhia and in Donetsk Region. In July 2022, he suffered multiple shrapnel wounds near Siversk, resulting in the loss of his arm. Later, he adapted to a bionic prosthesis. In March 2023, he returned to service. Oleksandr is raising a son.
The video was created with the support of the Independent Anti-Corruption Commission (NAKO) – an organization that works to reduce corruption in areas crucial to Ukraine’s national security, and with the support of the Office of the United Kingdom’s Special Defence Advisory Team
