Ukrainian war veterans with amputations learn adaptive skiing in Oregon

Photo : AP

Ukrainian soldier Oleksandr Shvachka lost his left leg when a Russian tank attacked near Kyiv. His life changed in that moment. Now, three years later, he is far from home, on a snowy mountain in Oregon, USA. He is learning to ski, something he never thought he would do.

Shvachka, 38, is one of five Ukrainian soldiers who traveled to Oregon. They came to learn a special type of skiing for people who have lost a leg. A group called Oregon Adaptive Sports is teaching them. This group helps people with disabilities enjoy outdoor sports.

Stay informed with the latest news. Follow DXB News Network on WhatsApp Channel  

At the Hoodoo Ski Area, Shvachka listened carefully to his ski teacher. Then, he pushed himself down the snowy hill. He used two special crutches with small skis on the ends. These helped him turn and stay balanced as he moved faster.

Shvachka was hurt in March 2022 in a village near Kyiv. Since then, he has worked hard to get better. Learning to ski is helping him heal, both in his body and his mind. He said it was a new feeling and made him very happy.

His trip to Oregon happened because of a friendship between two cities—Corvallis in Oregon and Uzhhorod in Ukraine. These cities have helped each other for more than 30 years. A group in Corvallis invited the veterans and two Ukrainian ski teachers to join this program.

The goal is not just to help the veterans feel better. The Ukrainian ski teachers are also learning how to train other war survivors back home. In Ukraine, many soldiers have lost their arms or legs in the war. Teaching them how to ski could help them heal, just like it is helping Shvachka.

For two weeks, the group had ski lessons for four days. One of the program leaders, Carol Paulson, believes skiing gives the veterans hope. She said skiing makes them feel strong and free again.

Paulson has helped people with disabilities ski for a long time. Many years ago, she taught Vietnam War soldiers who had lost their legs or arms. She saw how much skiing helped them feel normal again. Now, she wants to do the same for Ukrainian soldiers.

She also said skiing is a very peaceful sport. The cold air, the soft snow, and the quiet make it special. It is not like other sports that are loud and busy.

Shvachka believes sports have helped him get stronger. He is not alone. Other war veterans have also worked hard to push their limits.

In 2023, he ran a 10-kilometer race in Washington, D.C., even with his artificial leg. He also joined a big fitness event in Europe, created by Arnold Schwarzenegger. There, he and seven other Ukrainian soldiers pulled four huge truck cabs, which weighed 35 tons. They pulled them for 65 feet in just 30 seconds. The event called it a world record.

The leader of Oregon Adaptive Sports, Pat Addabbo, said sports can change lives. He said it was great to see people from across the world come to their small ski area in Oregon. He hopes the veterans will take what they learned and help others in Ukraine.

When the veterans go home, they will take special ski crutches with them. They will start teaching other war survivors how to ski on one full-size ski and two crutches. Ukrainian ski coach Kristian Minai thinks this is just the beginning.

He already trains Ukraine’s national ski team for deaf athletes. Now, he is working to create a new ski team for athletes with disabilities. He hopes that one day, some of the veterans he is training will win medals in the Paralympic Games.

#trending #latest #ukrainewar #woundedwarriors #adaptiveathletes #skiingforhope #veteranstories #resilience #healingthroughsports #ukrainiansoldiers #neverstop #sportsrehabilitation #headlines #topstories #globalUpdate #dxbnewsnetwork #dxbnews #dxbdnn #dxbnewsnetworkdnn #bestnewschanneldubai #bestnewschannelUAE #bestnewschannelabudhabi #bestnewschannelajman #bestnewschannelofdubai #popularnewschanneldubai

Explore Unique Things To Do in Dubai Beyond the Popular Attractions...Read More.

During the meeting, His Highness learned about key university programs focused on advanced technology and AI, which support scientific research, innovation, and...Read More.