Oleksandr

Before the war, Oleksandr Tereshchenko was a cameraman, a husband, and a father living an ordinary life. When Russia first invaded Ukraine in 2014, he volunteered.

During the defense of Donetsk Airport, an enemy grenade landed among his unit. He grabbed it and covered it with his body — and didn’t release it in time. He lost both hands and eyesight partially but saved four lives. What followed was a long relearning: how to live independently, how to do ordinary things in entirely new ways.

Rather than withdraw, Oleksandr dedicated himself to others. He founded an NGO supporting veterans adjusting to life after vision loss and limb amputation. As a civic activist and later Deputy Minister for Veterans Affairs of Ukraine, he advocated for veterans’ rights at the highest levels.

His message to others living with amputation is straightforward: “I did it - so can you!” Oleksandr’s story is a reminder that even after the deepest rupture, a person can remain a source of strength for others.