Greetings from Kyiv

Greetings from Kyiv,

On Sunday, September 24th, I embarked on a new journey in my time here in Ukraine that deeply impacted my perspective. I was fortunate enough to conduct an introductory casualty care class and accompany Ukrainian volunteers to a hospital in Kyiv, where we offered our assistance to injured soldiers. These experiences pulled me out of an extremely dark phase in my life, and while I understand that this is just the beginning of a new chapter, I'm eager to share my story with you.

I have openly shared that I have been dealing with a difficult time in Ukraine for the past two months. A series of heartbreaking tragedies, unfulfilled goals, and dashed dreams had taken a toll on me. Adding to the complexity of this time, I chose to work independently while staying alone since September 11th – not exactly the ideal day to make that decision, right? What I initially thought would be a period of rest and recovery turned into a nightmarish ordeal of shattered aspirations and just bad luck.

I am deeply grateful for the kind and caring people in my life, many of whom reside here in Ukraine. They have reached out to me during my lowest moments, offering sincere compassion, empathy, understanding, and unwavering support. Their love and care have provided me with much-needed comfort and strength. However, despite this incredible support, I came to realize that I lacked a sense of purpose.

Since February 24th, 2022, I have had a strong desire to contribute my skills and talents to benefit Ukraine in any way possible. However, due to looming time constraints and financial challenges, my aspirations have been hindered, leading to increased feelings of despair. As a result, I made the difficult decision last week to end my fifth trip to Ukraine and planned to return home on September 26th.

Before my departure, I was driven to take proactive steps rather than simply counting down the hours until I left. Leisurely indulging in Kyiv's nightlife or other recreational activities holds no appeal to me at this moment. In fact, it has been well over a month since I last enjoyed a beer. What compelled me was a deep-rooted motivation kindled by an unsettling air attack on Kyiv, an incident that had affected a dear friend of mine. Her adult children live in the city, and the attacks had struck close to them. In response to this distressing situation, I extended an offer to teach them vital, life-saving trauma medical response techniques. Her children’s eagerness to learn was encouraging, and my friend was happy to give me this opportunity.

What many may not know is that I have a background in trauma-medical response training, applicable to both military and civilian applications, often referred to as Tactical Combat Casualty Care (TCCC) or Tactical Emergency Casualty Care (TECC). Over the years, I've completed numerous courses on this subject, and although it isn't my primary profession, I've acquired enough knowledge and experience to teach the basics and fundamentals. These skills can prove life-saving during what's known as the "Platinum Ten Minutes" immediately following a traumatic injury – and this is what I was determined to introduce to them before my departure.

Earlier in the week, I received an invitation to join Ukrainian volunteers in visiting a hospital for soldiers on Sunday. I made the necessary arrangements to both teach the class and volunteer at the hospital. The class went well, and I was pleasantly surprised to discover that my friend's children already had a basic understanding of the acronym M.A.R.C.H., which is used to prioritize immediate aid to victims of traumatic injury. I proceeded to demonstrate and guide them through techniques for stopping massive hemorrhages using tourniquets and gauze applications. It was their first hands-on experience with a Combat Application Tourniquet, and I used a training tourniquet for them to practice the "high and tight" application on my arms. I was incredibly proud of their quick mastery of this essential skill. At the conclusion of the class, I gave them a new spare CAT tourniquet and other components of an Individual First Aid Kit (IFAK) before making my way to the hospital via public transportation.

On a side note, I've now been without a vehicle for the longest time in my life. I joked with a friend that I've become an expert at navigating Kyiv’s public transportation. I find myself walking more than ever before, and combined with other factors, I've reached a weight that I haven’t seen in 13 years.

The visit to the hospital presented a stark contrast to my earlier experiences. Despite the satisfaction I had had from teaching, a sense of frustration and regret still lingered due to my decision to return to America earlier than I had initially planned. However, as I stepped into the hospital's confines, I found myself instantly removed from my own personal problems and the melancholy that had weighed me down.

Truly, one cannot fathom the depths of sadness until they have come face to face with individuals bearing life-altering injuries and incomprehensible loss. Those who have narrowly survived what so many of their friends did not serve as poignant reminders of the insignificance of our worries.

I had prepared myself mentally for an emotional day at the hospital, knowing it wouldn't be easy, especially given my current sadness. However, as I entered those hospital rooms, I realized that I was the only American present, maybe even in the entire area! This fact made me a curious subject to the soldiers, who were eager to learn more about me.

In those moments, I couldn't afford to remain in the grip of my own problems or melancholy. My entire focus shifted to these remarkable individuals before me. I was wholly committed to listening to their stories, learning about them, and providing them with the encouragement they deserve.

My journey in learning the Ukrainian language has been difficult. Nevertheless, I've been fortunate to have exceptional teachers who have also become dear friends. In particular, Inna, who operates Speak Ukrainian, helped me last year when my car broke down. My friend Anna patiently guided me through the intricacies of the Ukrainian Alphabet. Learning this beautiful language is not easy for me, but I am happy that I have learned a little. 

Admittedly, I have not lived up to the expectations that Inna and Anna have for me regarding my progress in language studies. However, my time at the hospital compelled me to put to use every ounce of Ukrainian I had acquired. I found myself confidently pronouncing room numbers, initiating introductions, and talking about hobbies, family, homes, and more—all in Ukrainian. While I might have pleasantly surprised a few individuals with my efforts, I'm acutely aware that my command of the language is far from polished; in fact, it's rather embarrassing.

Surprising to me, I even leveraged my language struggles to my advantage by sharing a couple of lighthearted, self-deprecating jokes about my occasional mispronunciations. These moments of humor resonated particularly well with some of the brave individuals who had endured unimaginable hardships. There's no greater satisfaction for me than bringing laughter to someone who is in the midst of such profound adversity.

It is not appropriate that I delve into the details of these stories out of respect for the soldiers' privacy and dignity. While I'm enthusiastic about sharing the incredible strength and courage displayed by these soldiers, it's paramount to recognize that their hospitalization was not a choice they made. Therefore, recounting my time there should not be trivialized and treated as if it is merely entertainment. These soldiers are currently enduring intense physical and emotional pain while confronting a myriad of challenges as they endeavor to mend their bodies and adapt to a life forever altered. I hold a profound respect for their struggle.

My experience on Sunday, September 24th, 2023, was a day that helped me while I was helping others. My determination to make a meaningful impact, regardless of my resource constraints, continues. It underscored the fact that even during our most challenging times, there remains an opportunity to offer kindness and support to those in need.

I have chosen to not rush back home just yet; however, I do understand that my stay here is not indefinite. While I can't remain here forever, I am committed to utilizing the time I have to contribute positively to the lives of others.

While I could use your help financially… these volunteers could use it more. Please support these soldiers by sending a dollar or two to these volunteers. It would mean a lot to me. 

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