A group of Ukrainian war veterans have found solace and healing through adaptive skiing lessons in central Oregon with Oregon Adaptive Sports. One of the veterans, Oleksandr Shvachka, lost his left leg to Russian tank fire outside Kyiv three years ago. Now, he is skiing down slopes with two hand-held “outriggers,” enjoying the freedom and exhilaration the sport brings.
The veterans, some of whom have been recovering in a rehabilitation hospital in Ukraine, are participating in the program to improve their physical and mental health. They are also being taught how to use adaptive ski equipment so they can share their knowledge with other amputees in Ukraine.
The ski program, hosted by the sister city association of Corvallis with Uzhhorod, aims to remind the veterans that they can fully participate in life and experience a sense of well-being. The founder of the association, Carol Paulson, drew inspiration from teaching adaptive skiing to Vietnam War veterans and saw the positive impact it had on their mood.
For Shvachka, adaptive sports have played a crucial role in his recovery, enabling him to participate in races and competitions alongside other Ukrainian veteran amputees. The ski lessons serve as a testament to the transformative power of sports and the hope for a new era of rehabilitation programs for war veterans in Ukraine, potentially leading to the development of a national Paralympics ski team.
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