“Corvallis Sister Cities Association” is an organization that works to make sports more accessible to people with disabilities.
Now they have collected a group of Ukrainian war veterans – all of which have lost a leg – to learn to ski in Oregon, USA.
– It’s a new experience, and I’m so happy, says war veteran Oleksandr Shvachka.
The organization’s goal is to help improve the physical and mental health of the war veterans. They also teach the Ukrainian ski coaches how to use adaptive ski equipment, to be able to pass that knowledge further and make winter sports more inclusive.
– All adaptive sports are very helpful for people with disabilities. It reminds them that they can participate fully in life, says Carol Paulson, co -founder of the “Corvallis Sister Cities Association”.
Oleksandr Shvachka, who lost his left leg after being shot by a Russian tank in the village of Makariv outside Kiev in March 2022, describes skiing with other veterans as a “fantastic feeling”.
– It’s a new experience, and I’m so happy, he says.
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