The Path to a Life Without Phantom Pain

‘I was the first to take the hit and saved my group,’ says 45-year-old Valentyn Ptushkin, who was the first to step onto the minefield, was blown up, lost his leg and saved the lives of his comrades. Today he is undergoing rehabilitation at the UNBROKEN National Rehabilitation Centre.

Valentyn, from the city of Pryluky in Chernihiv Oblast, worked in the repair industry all his life. When the war broke out, he was working in the Netherlands, but without hesitation, he returned to Ukraine to volunteer. In 2023, he joined the 119th Separate Brigade of the Territorial Defense Forces as a machine gunner.

On October 15, 2024, while on a mission in Donetsk Oblast, Valentyn stepped on a mine.

“We were moving in a group of 3 people. I stepped on the ground, and there was a sudden explosion. The area I stepped on was littered with mines. Honestly, I don’t know how I managed to avoid triggering other mines, but I grouped myself just in time, or I wouldn’t be telling this story today,” Valentyn recounts.

He was quickly evacuated and received initial treatment in military hospitals in Donetsk. His recovery continued in Dnipro before he was transferred to the UNBROKEN Center in Lviv for rehabilitation and prosthetic fitting.

After the amputation, Valentyn faced a significant challenge — phantom pain.

“The hardest part isn’t even the pain itself but the realization that a part of your body that no longer exists can hurt. It’s exhausting. It feels like someone is hammering on a foot that’s no longer there. This phantom pain could appear at any time, day or night,” he shares.

Currently, Valentyn works with physical therapists to improve his coordination and strengthen his muscles to prepare his body for prosthetic fitting. His dream is to stand on a prosthetic leg, learn to walk, and return to his family in his hometown as soon as possible.

For heroes like Valentyn, phantom pain is a major obstacle to recovery. VRNOW, a Ukrainian virtual reality training device, offers an innovative solution to overcome phantom pain and make rehabilitation more effective.

How VRNOW Works:

•     Overcoming Phantom Pain: The device “reprograms” the brain, reducing the pain felt in nonexistent limbs.
•     Enhancing Motor Functions: Virtual reality helps patients learn new movements and improve their physical condition.
•     Psychological Support: Interaction with a virtual environment boosts motivation, reduces anxiety, and builds confidence.
•     Accelerating Recovery: The device shortens recovery time and promotes a faster return to active life.

VRNOW is already helping patients in leading medical facilities across Ukraine, including Recovery Hospital in Kyiv, “Path to Health” in Dnipro, and the National Children’s Hospital “Ohmatdyt.”

Oleh Bilyanskyi, Head of the UNBROKEN Center:

“Phantom pain is an invisible enemy that can significantly delay a patient’s recovery. VRNOW not only helps alleviate this pain but also restores motor functions. It’s a revolutionary approach to comprehensive rehabilitation.”

Let’s Give Heroes a Life Without Pain

We are raising funds to purchase a VRNOW training device for the UNBROKEN Center in Lviv to help heroes like Valentyn overcome phantom pain and return to a fulfilling life.

🔹 Fundraising Goal: 1,800,000 UAH

🔹 Every donation is a step towards a life without pain for our defenders.

Join us in this mission to help Heroes live without pain. Together, we are UNBROKEN!