Assistance to a veteran with amputation of 3 limbs

"My name is Roman Maksymets, originally from Lviv region. After my mandatory military service, I went abroad to work, but eventually returned home, and in 2015, I took up arms to defend my homeland. How could I not? When an enemy invades your home, you can't just stand by and do nothing.

I joined the "Donbas Ukraine" battalion through mobilization. I was a sapper responsible for engineering preparation during combat missions. I was immediately given the call sign SPANIARD because before my service, I had worked in construction in Italy and Spain. My service took me to some of the hottest spots in Donbas, and on July 6, 2016, I was severely wounded during battles in Maryinka.

I don’t remember much about that day. I suffered multiple gunshot wounds, then a shell exploded nearby, and as I crawled away, I hit a tripwire. I know for certain that my life was saved by my bulletproof vest, but my right arm and leg were torn off, and the foot on my left leg was shattered by shrapnel. My left eye was filled with tiny fragments, leaving it burned, and my right eye also damaged. My eardrums were also ruptured.

I didn’t die from blood loss only because the high heat sealed the blood vessels in my limbs.

My comrades couldn’t immediately evacuate me to Kurakhove because of intense enemy fire. From there, medics in Dnipro fought for my life, and two weeks later, I was flown to a hospital in Odesa, where I regained consciousness.

In total, I underwent 12 surgeries. I know they used a lot of blood transfusions on me. They operated on my leg (it was torn off below the knee, but doctors had to re-amputate above the knee), amputated my foot, operated on my arm (which was torn off just below the elbow), then removed my eye (and later fitted an implant), replaced the lens in my right eye (due to vision loss down to 20%), and performed several surgeries on my nose (due to bone displacement) and ears.

I’m now raising four children and actively engaged in public service. Volunteers, doctors, and rehabilitation specialists often ask me to provide moral support to severely wounded soldiers. I visit them in hospitals and rehab centers, showing them by example that amputations are not the end! Soldiers often ask how long it took me to recover, if I experienced phantom pain, and where and what types of prosthetics I ordered.

After my treatment, I went through a challenging adjustment process to my new life and now share my experience with others. I received mechanical prosthetics funded by the state. In 2017, I traveled abroad through a government program to receive my first bionic arm and an electronic knee prosthesis. This prosthesis has served me for over seven years.

My rehabilitation journey wasn’t easy, but I always believed in my strength. Thanks to modern prosthetics, I returned to an active life. However, time has passed, and now my Ossur electronic knee joint has exhausted its service life. The wear and tear have significantly affected its functionality. I am eligible for a new prosthesis through the government program, but unfortunately, the knee joint I truly need—the Genium X3—is not covered by the state due to its cost exceeding the funding limit.

Why Genium X3? I have tested all available knee joints in Ukraine, and I can confidently say that Genium X3 suits me best. Its features on inclines and declines make movement significantly easier; it is more comfortable for walking, and the battery lasts much longer. Even more importantly, it provides better stability during stumbles and in unconventional situations—crucial for me, as I have a triple amputation and vision issues (I have a prosthetic left eye, and my right eye has only 20-25% vision, depending on pressure).

Prosthetics in Ukraine are advancing, and our specialists are among the best, but state funding doesn’t always cover the necessary modern technology. That’s why I am reaching out for help from everyone who cares. I seek to regain my mobility and a fulfilling life through a functional prosthetic with the Genium X3 electronic knee joint".