Navigating Ukraine

Hi All,

During the second half of my trip, I heard numerous air raid sirens and explosions. However, I was not hurt and now I am safely back in the US. The trip was fruitful and productive. Thank you for your support and prayers.
I visited the wounded in military hospitals, clinics, and in homes. Also, I had the opportunity to spend time at wellness centers that have been converted into temporary medical hospitals. Many have lost limbs, but are hopeful and grateful to be alive. They realize there still must be a purpose for them, many of their friends and colleagues did not make it. One minute they spoke and lived life together, the other minute they were gone.

I was grateful for the opportunity to train medical professionals, university students, and patients in the use of medical rehabilitation equipment and rehabilitation techniques. They felt empowered and more effective in the recovery process. These individuals can now share their knowledge and have a ripple effect.

Teaching group of university students in residual limb management

in preparation for prosthetics

I visited several towns where many war crimes occurred. I lost count of the number of destroyed homes, apartment buildings, burned vehicles, and shattered lives. Numerous times I have heard Ukrainian civilians share that this is like a movie or a mirage and they wish it were not the actual reality. I was very saddened when I came to visit one of my family member's homes and I realized that life will never be the same for the ones I love in Ukraine. The home that once was the center of family life was now so empty and lifeless due to the danger around the area. I witnessed families separated, people injured and livelihoods demolished.

Destroyed apartment buildings

Destroyed homes

I heard stories that were both inspiring and sad. There was a group of village boys who stumbled upon a Russian mine; some of them died and some sustained permanent injuries. A mother and her child waiting at a busy train station, a missile attack, now both mother and child have lost limbs. I met a young woman (around my age) who went to her hometown that was occupied by Russian forces; she begged the Russian soldiers on her knees to let her parents go and fortunately, in this case, they did. Lastly, my Ukrainian friends got a random call at night from a Ukrainian soldier on the front lines who was wounded in combat, and unable to walk, called a random number, thinking it may be his last moments of life, and asked them to pray for him. He called the next morning that he was able to crawl to safety to a group of Ukrainian soldiers who were able to get him medical help.

One of the many people I met with lost limbs

I witnessed the good and the bad. There is a big need for reform in many areas. A key guiding principle that I strive for is getting humanitarian aid into the right hands of trustworthy people. It is imperative to do all we can to make sure humanitarian aid and finances are not abused or taken advantage of for someone's own personal gain.

Home health visits - co treats with local therapists

The Ukrainian medical staff told some of the wounded that I was able to visit, that there was nothing more they could do to help these injured people. However, they are still suffering and in pain. Fortunately, there are US and Canadian doctors that are willing and eager to help. They are willing to do virtual consultations with the wounded and see whether they can do more for their recovery. Virtual medical consultations with victims of war in Ukraine is a realistic attainable goal.
I'm also in touch with a medic from the US that is near the front lines of combat areas who converted a pickup truck into an ambulance and is working with a team to save and medically stabilize lives via tactical medicine (stopping bleeds, performing intubations, and treating pneumothorax). Some of the wounded are transported up to four hours away via this converted vehicle to a safer medical facility to further treat the extensive injuries. I am in the process of getting him more life-saving medical equipment.

At the retreat center that is housing refugees and providing respite for people with disabilities

Lastly, there is still a need for funds to cover the operating costs of the retreat center that is housing refugees and providing respite to people with disabilities in Ukraine. I am personally involved in this camp and it is my passion to help develop it into a state of the art rehabilitation center and a mercy house that will provide assisted living to people with disabilities who have no one to care for them.

Last sunset in Ukraine

There are many people affected by this war. It is easy to get overwhelmed. I am reminded that I am limited and I am human. However, I can help with the gifts and talents God has given me. We can make a difference, one person at a time. We can live our lives to the fullest, one day at a time.

With gratitude,
Alina