Limb Loss Does Not Mean Losing Purpose

Head of the Department of Physiology and Bioethics, Professor Stepan Vadziuk, and the program coordinator of Prosthetics and Orthotics, Professor Tetiana Bakaliuk, organized a unique meeting for master’s students of the Prosthetics and Orthotics program and students of the Faculty of Medicine with Ukrainian-Russian war veteran Volodymyr Symanyshyn — a courageous defender who volunteered to protect Ukraine from the first days of the full-scale invasion. During combat, he sustained severe injuries and lost both arms.

However, this meeting was not about loss — it was a story of strength, resilience, and rediscovery of life.

After receiving prosthetic care, the hero found a new way to communicate with the world — painting, which became his language of emotion and inspiration. His artworks are filled with energy, color, and deep meaning; for him, art has become not only a form of self-expression but also an essential part of rehabilitation.

The prosthetics and orthotics students had a special opportunity to talk with the veteran professionally — to learn about the specifics of his amputation, the principles of prosthetic function, the features programmed into the devices, and how modern technologies help him manage everyday tasks. This experience was invaluable for the students, bridging theory with real life and demonstrating the true importance of their future profession.

Our hero is a living example of unwavering adaptation and willpower: despite losing his arms, he drives a car, studies in two educational programs simultaneously, coordinates the charitable foundation “With God in the Heart,” creates art, and supports others. His activity, determination, and outlook on life inspire everyone who meets him.

This meeting reaffirmed: losing limbs does not mean losing purpose. It is a new beginning — one filled with dignity, courage, and faith in oneself.