Over two thousand graduates of the post-war trauma clinic, their relatives, friends, and medical team specialists gathered in Odessa for the Superhumans Reunion. This festival has become a key space for military personnel and civilians who have undergone prosthetics and are returning to active social life. Additionally, a new rehabilitation center – Superhumans – was created in Odessa. It was established with the support of the Expertise France agency and the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, whose experts helped prepare a multidisciplinary team. The center will work to provide free services for prosthetics, physical rehabilitation, and psychological support to eight hundred patients annually.
Sports Initiatives and Solidarity of the Ukrainian Scene
Organizers set up a number of locations where veteran sports were widely represented. A friendly match of amputee football was a special sporting event. The players showed that it is possible to play football even with an amputation.
Many Ukrainian artists attended the event to support veterans with amputations and pay tribute to them. The performers included Otoy, “Druga Rika”, Alekseev, Misha Pravilny, Kola, and other musicians. Their participation organically complemented the atmosphere of the event, emphasizing the unconditional solidarity of society with the defenders.
The Gap in Worldview with the Enemy and Return to Civilian Life
Veteran Denys Demidko shared the circumstances of his injury and his vision for the future. He dedicated sixteen years of his life to the Armed Forces, twelve of which were directly involved in the war. During the performance of another combat task, the soldier covered his fellow soldiers from the blow of an enemy drone, as evacuation from that position seemed almost impossible. After physical recovery, the veteran is preparing to return to professional dancing with his wife, who was his partner on the dance floor in the past, and has already started his own blog where he talks about his life after the amputation of both legs.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, in his address, emphasized the difference in worldview between Ukrainian defenders and the occupying forces. The head of state drew a parallel with the words of a famous song about people who, like ships, overcome the highest waves. Describing the difference in the Ukrainian approach, the President of Ukraine said, addressing veterans and people in general:
“I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but you said you’ve been taught to defend almost all your life. And I don’t know if you’ve noticed, you said defend, not kill. A very interesting moment, a real and living example of the difference between us and our enemy. They always say that we know how to kill. You didn’t say kill, you were taught to defend. Because life defeats death.”
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Economic Adaptation as a Stage of the Rehabilitation Process
The restoration of economic activity remains an integral part of integration. Veteran Oleksandr Fedorov, who before his military service was the director of a school, after being wounded, restored his apiary in the Lviv region. Joint work with his son on over fifty beehives has become an effective therapy for him. The entrepreneur produces cream honey with sublimated fruits, collects pollen to boost immunity, and forms gift boxes. During the event, the First Lady Olena Zelenska bought forest honey from him, and Prime Minister Yuliya Svyrydenko chose a herb box with rapeseed.
“The event is, first of all, an event of communication. Communication with friends, family, comrades. We are all one family, where Superhuman has united and created such an occasion, as we call it. Where you can meet, talk, gain positive energy, share your thoughts, experiences, and successes. And just see familiar faces.”
Strategic Partnerships to Support Servicemen
This year’s Superhumans Reunion festival was organized with the support of many organizations. The Ukrainian Red Cross became the general partner of the event. Director of the Superhumans Center Olga Rudneva shared:
“The Superhumans Center has long dreamed of a partnership with the Ukrainian Red Cross, and finally, it happened. We hoped that our joint event today would be our first, but we already have a signed memorandum. We hope that this is the beginning of great joint projects. In fact, I’ve known about the Red Cross since childhood, even before I was first taken to the hospital. And now I’ve grown up to cooperate with the Red Cross, and it’s just very cool.”
Deputy General Director of the Ukrainian Red Cross Ilya Kletskovsky explained the long-term nature of the challenges related to the socialization of servicemen. He emphasized:
“The most important thing is that we understand that the problem, the veteran problem, is with us constantly, and we are looking for solutions. Our work is multisectoral.”
Ilya Kletskovsky also explained how a Ukrainian veteran can get help:
“The most important thing is to visit the website of the Ukrainian Red Cross or the Ministry of Veterans, call the hotline, and we will provide more detailed answers to all requests. We will tell you who to contact and what redirects are available for veterans.”
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