Open Wheelchair Basketball Training for Veterans Held in Odesa

On May 12, 2024, an open wheelchair basketball training session was held in Odesa, bringing together veterans from the Odesa, Mykolaiv, and Kyiv regions. The event, organized as part of ongoing rehabilitation efforts, aimed to help wounded soldiers reintegrate into society and regain a sense of normalcy through sports.

Vasyl Rybak, the head of the Reconstructive Surgery Rehabilitation Center at the City Clinical Hospital, emphasized the importance of adaptive sports in the rehabilitation process. "Our priority in developing rehabilitation services is to promote adaptive sports. Our goal is to help individuals return to a quality life and reintegrate into society. To achieve this, we have enlisted the support of experts from the basketball, boxing, and athletics federations, and we conduct regular training sessions. We also organize training at a seaside base. Sports are the most effective form of rehabilitation," Rybak explained.

One of the participants, Serhiy Kotsiuba, a paratrooper from the 81st Slobozhanska Brigade, sustained injuries in 2022 in the Luhansk region and has undergone two prosthetic surgeries. Reflecting on the experience, Serhiy shared, "The game helps a lot on a psychological level. It’s both physical and mental relief. I’ve only been in a wheelchair once - when I was in the clinic. I went outside but couldn’t get back in, so I never used a wheelchair again. But during the game, it was an incredible experience."

The training session not only provided physical exercise but also served as a powerful tool for emotional and psychological support, helping veterans like Serhiy reconnect with the community and regain confidence as they continue their journey to recovery.