“No one will walk in my place” – a mother who lost both legs to a Russian air bomb is learning to walk again

Karina Ardeeva, who lives in Sumy, lost both her legs on July 3 when a Russian guided air bomb struck Shevchenko Avenue. Her husband, Denys, was also injured in the attack, while their nine-month-old son, Artem, waited for them at home.

Karina was first treated in Sumy, then in Lviv, before being transferred to the Superhumans rehabilitation center, where she now works every day to learn to walk again. For now she uses special training prostheses, and every step causes severe pain. The joy of standing up for the first time was accompanied by fear and nausea, since after a long time she had to get used to being in an upright position again.

she said. During the daily exercises there are moments when Karina stops between the walking bars and feels she cannot go on. At those times her husband's encouragement helps her continue: “Come on, you can do it!” Denys is by her side the whole time, sees her pain and worries about her, just as the therapists constantly support her recovery.

Karina says. She draws most of her strength from her little son, who is growing day by day, and from her husband, with whom she is trying to cope with the consequences of the attack. Although further surgeries and a long rehabilitation await her, Karina keeps practicing for their sake too, so that despite the pain and difficulties she can walk again.