By Olga Dubanyevich
Twenty-two year old Sergey already understands that true love can indeed be bestowed in life. It might be stronger than war and the trials of a turbulent fate, and it can fulfill life with a brand-new purpose even in the darkest times. Since the age of 14, Sergey dreamed of becoming a soldier, so upon reaching adulthood, he joined the Ukrainian army. The full-scale invasion caught the experienced fighter in the Kyiv region.
Then he was dislocated in the hottest battlefields of the Donetsk region. In the toughest moments, his heart was warmed by the desire to celebrate the anniversary of his relationship with Yulia and finally propose to her. The experience of being on the frontlines taught him to value relationships more and to look with a greater confidence into the future. So, on May 29th, on their anniversary, he planned a surprise for Yulia and unexpectedly visited her during his time-off for a few days. Nevertheless, fate decided otherwise, and on that long-awaited day, Sergey was deployed on an important mission. Then came the explosion. Sergey was blown up by a mine and suffered severe injuries: his right arm was torn off, his left arm was damaged, his leg was injured, and his lung was pierced, so he could not even call for help. By a miracle, other Ukrainian soldiers found him, which saved his life.
When Sergey came to his senses, he already was in the hospital. Processing what had happened, he wondered: will I become a burden for Yulia? She is still such a young girl. Will she be able to continue a relationship with a disabled person? It was still unknown how the rehabilitation will go on and to what extent he would be able to recover. Probably, the best decision would be to stop communicating with her and end the relationship.
At the same time, Sergey’s friends told Yulia everything that had happened, and she rushed across the country to search for her beloved in hospitals. The girl herself proposed to him, so the young couple got married in the hospital room. Then the difficult days of battle for Sergey’s rehabilitation followed. The girl did not leave her beloved, together with him she humbly overcame the difficult path of rehabilitation, instilling hope in the hardest moments. Sergey said that he never dared to dream of such dedication.
This inspired him to recover and do everything possible so that the girl could have a break from taking care of him. And, despite the hardships endured by the couple, there are more dreams and plans for the future than ever before. A difficult path of rehabilitation is still ahead. But Sergey and Yulia know that together they can overcome everything.
Mother and Daughter Separated by War
On a sweltering July day in Ukraine, four-year-old Liza and her mother were en route to a speech therapy session. Liza, a vivacious little girl, cheerfully pushed a stroller with her beloved doll, her face lit up with a sincere smile. It was a perfect moment for a story, one to be shared with an audience. But all this tranquility was shattered in an instant as a rocket struck the city center.
When Liza’s mother came to her, her heart sank at the sight of the toy stroller, now smeared with blood. She fought through the chaos to answer a call from her own mother, who had heard of the attack. With a heavy heart, she delivered the devastating news: Liza was gone. Gravely injured herself and suffering from severe blood loss, she lost all consciousness and her life. The only question she could muster was a desperate “Where is my Liza?”
Unable to bear the weight of this grief, the decision was made to withhold the tragic news until her condition stabilized. As she lay in her hospital bed, she found solace in reviewing countless photos and videos of her daughter. Liza, born with the Down syndrome and having undergone a complex heart surgery at just six months old, had faced life’s trials with remarkable courage.
Liza’s mother had dedicated herself to understanding her daughter’s unique needs, sharing her experiences and the child’s milestones online. She had documented Liza’s achievements, like learning letters and numbers, and her brave efforts in speech therapy, which required intense perseverance and commitment.
In one of the many videos, Liza demonstrated progress, showcasing her ability to memorize letters and numbers. Her radiant personality and cheerful demeanour made her a natural in front of the camera. Her mother, ever enthusiastic, often dressed Liza in charming outfits and dreamed aloud, “You will be my happiest girl! We’ll travel, and I’ll show you the world!”
Every effort her mother made was driven by a fierce determination to secure the best future for her daughter. Now, in the wake of loss, Liza’s mother channels her strength into supporting other mothers, sharing her hard-earned wisdom and experiences. Liza’s legacy endures in the cherished memories captured on film—a festive video of her decorating a Christmas tree with friends and a tender photo session in a lavender field, where mother and daughter wore matching purple dresses.
These images and recordings are all that remain today of Liza since the war, but they serve as a testament to Liza’s vibrant spirit and her mother’s unwavering love.
Olga Dubanyevich hails from Denepropetrovsk, in Ukraine, holds a Master’s Degree in Law, and currently lives and works in Toronto, Canada. She published a book of poems in her hometown in her college years. She is a frequent contributor and her past articles can be read here here and here. Read her past work here.
