On May 25, Ukraine launched National Barrier-Free Week. The goal of this initiative is to build a culture of equal opportunities in society, where everyone, regardless of their health condition or developmental features, can work, study, and live.
For thousands of veterans returning from war with severe injuries, this is not an abstract value but a necessary condition for a full life in society. Such everyday things as climbing stairs, driving, doing sports, visiting cinemas, shopping malls, and supermarkets become daily challenges for a person with a prosthetic limb or in a wheelchair.
But barrier-free living is not only about ramps and designated parking spaces near entrances. It is also about respect for a person and their experience, and equal treatment, all of which help veterans adapt to civilian life more quickly.
That is exactly what the charity run Go to the Future-2026 is about — an event our Future for Ukraine foundation is holding for the third time in support of veterans who have lost limbs.
On June 7 at Expocenter of Ukraine (VDNG), alongside professional runners and amateurs, opinion leaders, and representatives of businesses and government institutions, veterans with prosthetics will take part in the run — people for whom every step is a decision to move forward.
As part of National Barrier-Free Week in Ukraine, we share the stories of our beneficiaries who, thanks to prosthetics, were able to return to active lives and their professions, and will participate in the Go to the Future-2026 charity run.
Oleksandr Chaika, veteran of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade
In civilian life, Oleksandr Chaika was a children's choreographer. He went to defend his country as part of the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine at the beginning of the full-scale war.
In the Donetsk region near Popasna, a tank shell hit the soldier; he survived by a miracle. However, due to gangrene, Oleksandr had to have his entire right leg amputated. Doctors gave him only a 20% chance of survival.
Yet Sasha not only survived — he managed to return to his profession and now teaches children acrobatics again at his own school in Kyiv. This became possible thanks to his excellent physical condition and high-functional prosthetics he received in the United States. Future for Ukraine Foundation implements the program with the support of donors, grantors, and patron Vadym Stolar.
"I remember how hard it was to accept the new leg — the prosthetic. I never even dreamed that I would one day be able to return to an active life. That is why I consider it my duty to support other soldiers by my own example, because we went through the same hell for a common goal — to liberate our native lands from the occupiers," says the veteran.
Hlib Kravchenko, veteran of the Third Army Corps
Before the war, Hlib was building a career in IT, but when the full-scale invasion began, he could not stand aside: he first volunteered in his hometown of Dnipro and in 2024 joined the ranks of the 3rd Assault Brigade.
Serving with the 3rd Assault Brigade, the 27-year-old known by the call sign "Holden" carried out combat missions in the east of the country. During the evacuation of the wounded in September 2024, he came under an FPV drone strike and lost his left leg as a result of shrapnel wounds.
After surviving a high-level amputation, he had to rebuild his life from scratch. Determination and functional prosthetics through the Future for Ukraine foundation program helped the defender return to an active civilian life. "A prosthetic is a tool, but moving forward is a decision you make yourself every day," believes Hlib.
Today, he has returned to his profession — he heads the recruitment department at a Ukrainian MilTech company. Step by step, he is reclaiming the life the war destroyed.
Support Oleksandr, Hlib, and other veterans who are returning to life after limb loss — join the "Go to the Future 2026" run at VDNG or online, wherever you choose!
Learn about other participation formats on the event's website.
In our next piece, the stories of Vladyslav, who became a manager at the medical center where he was fitted with his prosthetic, and Ivan, a champion at international para-swimming competitions.
