Ukrainian soldier relearns life in a wheelchair after severe injury

Ukrainian soldier Dmytro Ribachenko is undergoing rehabilitation in Latvia after suffering a severe spinal cord injury near Bakhmut, LSM reported. He says using a wheelchair is like learning to use new legs.

Ribachenko was injured in March 2022, during the first year of the war. He was repairing equipment near Bakhmut when he was hit in the back. He immediately lost sensation in his legs and half of his body and could no longer move his legs.

“The injury was severe and involved the spinal cord,” Ribachenko said.

He has arrived at Latvia’s Vaivari National Rehabilitation Centre for the second time. The centre has assisted about 900 Ukrainian residents since 2014, including around 600 military personnel.

Doctors stabilised Ribachenko’s condition for about a month after surgeries and other procedures. He now approaches rehabilitation with optimism, saying he has become skilled at using a wheelchair and can teach others how to adapt to life with one.

“It is as if you are a child and start life again. You have to learn absolutely everything. We even consider the wheelchair your legs, so you have to learn to use these legs,” he said.

Medical specialists say war injuries are complex and require teamwork in treatment. As the war in Ukraine continues, assistance will be needed by an increasing number of wounded people.

LSM and Ziedot.lv are organising the support campaign “With Ukraine in Thoughts and Deeds” to help those affected.