“He is getting used to the prosthesis and is planning to go to university”: heavily wounded 15-year-old Artur from Kharkiv underwent rehabilitation by Rinat Akhmetov Foundation

Last year, 15-year-old Kharkiv resident Artur was playing football at the stadium when an enemy missile landed nearby. In Okhmatdyt, on the tenth day after his next surgery, the boy survived another missile shelling. Now Arthur is getting used to living with a prosthesis. He has recently completed a course of physical rehabilitation and psychological recovery provided by the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation.

“There are many cool procedures here. I liked the aromatherapy, the salt room where you breathe salt, the hot thermal pool with salt water, which is good for the joints. I also swim in the regular pool,” Arthur shares his impressions.

According to his mother, Yuliia, for several months after the injury, there was hope of saving his leg. Then doctors determined that it was impossible. Artur was very worried about amputation and how his friends would perceive him, but his fears were in vain.

“Now the goal is to recover as soon as possible. Here, in the sanatorium, where we got with the support of the Rinat Akhmetov Foundation, there is everything for this. We have to move on with our lives – graduation and the admission campaign are ahead,” says Yuliia.

Snizhana Chebotarova, the medical director of the sanatorium, says that the boy is just getting used to the prosthesis, so the comprehensive treatment prescribed for Arthur is aimed primarily at reducing pain in the limbs.

“We have also selected procedures to prevent the consequences of such complex injuries. These include massage, swimming with an aqua belt to reduce the load on his back. In addition, he works with a psychologist. He also has classes in equine-assisted therapy, physiotherapy, and mud therapy – all of which have a good therapeutic effect,” the doctor emphasises.

As part of the Rehabilitation of Wounded Children project of the “Rinat Akhmetov to Children!” Foundation provides assistance to children under 18 who have suffered severe injuries as a result of the war.

The programme has provided comprehensive support to almost 6 million children from all over Ukraine. Rinat Akhmetov to Children. Help that gives tomorrow.

If your children or someone you know needs help, please write to the Foundation’s messenger http://m.me/AkhmetovFDU or call the toll-free hotline 0 800 509 001 (the line is open from Monday to Friday).