"Here I was able to remove armor not from my body, but from my soul": the story of Paralympian Yevhen Korinets from Zhytomyr

Yevhen Korinets is a veteran, paramedic, and athlete. A fighter and participant in the Paralympics in Paris. After a severe injury at the front and the amputation of his leg, he did not stop: he underwent rehabilitation, returned to an active life and sports. But the real recovery, as he admits himself, began precisely at the Resilience Center.

A space where you can speak honestly

Yevhen came to the Resilience Center in Zhytomyr on his own. Without a prior appointment, without a clear request – simply with a need to talk. He was struck by the atmosphere: calm, warm, friendly. The specialists work without pressure, with respect for each person's experience.

"I saw on Facebook that there was such a Center and decided to drop by. I liked the specialists' approach – you can see they understand what they're talking about, they have up-to-date knowledge specifically about working with military personnel. And these consultations also help better understand my brothers-in-arms. Because even if we have similar experiences, everyone processes them differently. And you need to feel how to approach a person to truly support them," Yevhen shares.

For him, these consultations are not just about his own recovery. They are also an opportunity to better understand other servicemen whom he supports in daily conversations, training sessions, and meetings.

When experience turns into supporting others

Yevhen comes to the Center not only as a veteran but also as a leader for others. He holds motivational meetings, shares his own experience of recovery – both physical and emotional. His story is not about pain but about the strength to change oneself and help others find a foothold. His brothers-in-arms who come with him stay. They become part of the community. And this, as the Center's team says, is the best indicator of trust.

Yevhen's story of resilience is inspiring: after his injury, he not only returned to an active life but also made it to the national sitting volleyball Paralympic team, won an international tournament in China, and represented Ukraine in Paris. Despite his loud sporting achievements, the real challenge remained the daily "internal recovery." The Resilience Center helped with this.

True resilience is born in community

Yevhen knows for sure that recovery is a process. It is difficult, sometimes painful, but possible when there are specialists, a space, and people nearby who are not afraid to talk about difficult things. The Resilience Center became a place for him where he could "remove the armor from his soul." And not be left alone with this experience.

His story is an example of how a person who has gone through war, pain, loss, and a new reality can find the strength not only to endure but also to become a support for others. To regain a sense of life. And pass it on.

For reference

Resilience Centers are barrier-free spaces in communities where everyone can receive professional psychosocial support, participate in trainings, self-help groups, or simply find a place for recovery.

The project is an initiative of the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine within the framework of the nationwide mental health program "How Are You?" initiated by First Lady Olena Zelenska.

Resilience Centers make psychosocial support accessible, humane, and understandable for everyone.

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