Yehor, 20, had to have his left foot amputated below the knee after stepping on a mine during matches in Ukraine last September.
– At first, it was hard to accept that I had lost a leg, but after I got a prosthesis and learned to walk again, it felt like my leg was back.
Adaptation: Since the beginning of June, two leg amputated Ukrainian soldiers have been adapted and learned to use new prostheses at Unicare Landaasen rehabilitation in Søndre Land.
Photo: Stein S Eide/NRK
From early June, Yehor (20 years old) and Dmytro (39 years old) are undergoing rehabilitation at the Unicare Landasin In Sondre Land. There, the two amputee soldiers were fitted with new prostheses and assisted in using them.
– It’s all good here. Food, procedures, room, physiotherapy, healthcare staff. Everything is fine, the young Ukrainian smiles.
That would help
Senior physician Irina Solberg at Unicare Landaasen is herself from Ukraine. It was she who brought war-wounded Ukrainian soldiers for rehabilitation. Cooperation went directly with the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense.
– We do this because we have a chance to help the soldiers. In Ukraine, she says, they cannot get such good rehabilitation as here.
From Ukraine: Irina Solberg, originally from Ukraine, is a primary physician and physiotherapist at Unicare Landaasen in Søndre Land.
Photo: Stein S Eide/NRK
The physiotherapist says the two Ukrainian soldiers have had great success with the prostheses, which are made by an orthopedic company in Lillehammer.
He will return to fight
20-year-old Yehor is determined to return to the front to fight with prosthetics.
– I want to go back to fight for family, friends and my country against those who attacked us, he says.
Since the Ukrainian soldier is back at the front, he has to train more intensively with a prosthesis than other patients, says physiotherapist Oyvind Reimann.
– Here is someone who is back forward and then needs more movement and strength.
Among other things, the physiotherapist prepared an obstacle course for the soldiers.
There, the soldiers practice, among other things, quick changes and quickly throw themselves to the ground on their stomachs and backs.
He’s young and very motivated to get back with his team mates. He has been very willing to exercise and is able to move very well with the prosthesis. Within five weeks, he had achieved a lot compared to other amputees, says Rahmman.
It was followed by German television
German journalist Max Zander of Deutsche Welle interviewed the young soldier after he was hit by a mine. Now he and a television team from German Broadcasting are in Søndre Land to continue. He admires enthusiasm.
What distinguishes Yehor’s story is that he is very positive. You see that determination and drive and that he’s actually going to come back and take the risk again. He is determined to create a future for his generation in Ukraine and it is an important story to tell.
On German TV: A TV team from the German broadcaster Deutsche Welle has been following Ukrainian soldiers since they were wounded during the war.
Photo: Stein S Eide/NRK
I admire optimism
General Manager Austin J.
– First of all, optimism and a smile. Some think they are poor, but they smile. It gives us perspectives.
It highlights a passage from the hymn “Alltid freidig”:
– “Fight for everything you hold dear, die if it matters.” We from safe Norway can’t understand that. But there is good logic to it.
Joy and courage: General Manager Øystein G. Torp at Unicare Landaasen admired the courage of Ukrainians.
Photo: Stein S Eide/NRK
This week, the young soldier returns home to Ukraine on a scheduled trip back to his military unit.
Landaasen Senior Physician Elena Solberg is very proud of her compatriot.
– I am very impressed and believe it will continue to be a success.
The 20-year-old laughs a lot and finds joy in life despite suffering a terrible loss in his foot. He is optimistic about going back to war with prosthetics.
– Over time you get used to it, and everything will be fine, says Yehor Oleinik, a Ukrainian soldier in a Norwegian suit.
Want to go back: Ukrainian front-line soldier Yehor Oleynik, 20, is satisfied with the help he has received and is determined to return to the military department when he leaves this week from his stay at Landåsbygda in Søndre Land.
Photo: Stein S Eide/NRK
“Explorer. Unapologetic entrepreneur. Alcohol fanatic. Certified writer. Wannabe tv evangelist. Twitter fanatic. Student. Web scholar. Travel buff.”
