Lessons of UNBROKENness: Video Message to Ukrainian Children

 

The first lesson of UNBROKENness is that it’s important to talk to children about how to interact with veterans and take care of mental health, and that trauma is not always obvious. This is the second time the UNBROKEN Foundation, together with the Lviv City Department of Education, has prepared an open lesson in each city's schools. Every Ukrainian boy and girl should know and remember this.

 

Veterans fascinated and inspired to talk to young Ukrainians about various topics – at the UNRBOKEN National Rehabilitation Center, in student environments, schools, and even kindergartens. Children are open, direct, and understand everything.

 

So, traditionally, UNBROKEN start the new school year with a conversation – not only about how children should communicate with veterans (because we are sure you remember: the best way is respect and empathy) but also about mental health that affects everyone. Our UNBROKEN Heroes: Oleksiy with a prosthesis, Artem in a wheelchair, Oleh with a visual impairment, and Ruslan, who has no visible injury but survived torture and captivity.

 

"I want to explain: I don't perceive loud and sudden sounds well; I work with my mental state. We can be proud of how we are coping with the war in the country. But if you feel sad, talk to your parents! Take care of your condition and cultivate joy in yourself. Take care of your family! And do not hesitate to ask for help."

 

He is an Azov soldier who has been serving since 2015. He took part in the most challenging battles for Mariupol and held Azovstal. He was held in Russian captivity in Olenivka. He was the first to be exchanged. Now, Ruslan is practicing archery and diving in our UNBROKEN foundation project. It helps the man adapt to civilian life. He wants to support other veterans on their way back.

 

Another hero in this video is Oleh Tokarchuk. He is a non-military man who lost his eyesight at the age of 13 due to an illness.

 

He is undergoing treatment and maintaining his health at the UNBROKEN National Rehab Center. The man is always cheerful and communicates with everyone who opens their hearts to him. He has a unique cane that helps him to see and navigate in space in his own way.

 

Artem Komisarchuk is waiting for a prosthesis and is still using a wheelchair. But he reminds us that his new mode of transportation is not a wheelchair or a wheelchair, but a wheelchair.

 

"If suddenly I or my fellow soldier gets stuck on a Lviv pavement or a staircase somewhere, pay attention and ask if you need help."

 

The man stood up to defend Ukraine back in 2014. He was held captive for more than a year, sentenced in absentia to 25 years in prison, and tried to be exchanged 25 times. He received a severe leg injury in the Donetsk sector. Now, the man is undergoing treatment at the UNBROKEN Centre and is preparing for prosthetics. His most significant support is his wife and daughter.

 

Also, Oleksiy Chevychko is a hero in this video message; he has a prosthetic left leg. He reminds us that military personnel, veterans with and without prostheses, are pleased when you do not look away and put your hand to your heart!

 

Oleksiy was wounded in the Donetsk region in March 2024. An enemy grenade launcher hit him in the leg - for 30 hours, the man could not be evacuated because of the shelling; all the time, there was a tourniquet on his leg... So, doctors had to amputate the limb at the level of the thigh. After rehabilitation at UNBROKEN, Oleksiy plans to volunteer and teach children to love their homeland.

 

Be careful and take care of your mental health!