Ukraine: Two brothers from Kherson learn to manage on their own again

With support from the Danish Refugee Council (DRC), funded by the European Union and the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), the family has been able to address some of these challenges, from securing accommodation during rehabilitation to adapting their home to meet the boys’ needs.

The family was leaving their yard by car in Kherson when shelling began. Both brothers were injured. The younger, Danylo, lost a leg, while his older brother, Maksym, sustained a severe leg injury. Doctors managed to save Maksym’s leg, but both boys faced a lengthy recovery. 

For Danylo, this meant travelling to Vynnyky, in Lviv Oblast, to receive specialised rehabilitation at the Superhumans Centre, which provides prosthetics, physical rehabilitation and other medical and psychological support to people affected by the war. 

The family needed somewhere affordable to stay nearby, ideally with facilities suitable for a wheelchair user. Finding such accommodation proved difficult, particularly with many other people also travelling to the area for treatment. 

“Thanks to DRC’s support, my son can continue his rehabilitation at the Superhumans Centre,” says Olena, the boys’ mother. 

DRC’s support allowed the family to stay near the centre while Danylo continued his treatment. However, the accommodation itself was not fully accessible. Without a lift or ramp, even leaving the building required considerable effort and help from his father. 

After their time in Vynnyky, the family moved to Mykolaiv. Tetiana remained in contact with them. 

“I also helped the family find a swimming pool in Mykolaiv where the boys could train with a coach. It was important to identify opportunities that could support their ongoing recovery and help them stay active,” says Tetiana. 

Swimming has become part of the brothers’ rehabilitation. Danylo has received a prosthesis that allows him to swim, and both boys now train at the pool. Today, both brothers can move around independently. 

In Mykolaiv, the family faced another practical challenge: their bathroom was not adapted to the boys’ needs. To address this, DRC is supporting modifications to the family’s bathroom with funding from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida). 

The necessary equipment has been purchased, and adaptation work is underway. The aim is to create a safer, more accessible space where both brothers can manage their daily routines with greater independence