Healing Love: The Story of Andrii and Lesia — Unbreakable in Their Support
This conversation is more than just an interview. It’s an honest and profound look into the lives of Andrii Sodarenko and his wife Lesia after a devastating injury Andrii sustained in the war. A 47-year-old former soldier of the 24th Brigade, Andrii suffered a severe trauma in Donetsk region, which led to both vision loss and amputation. Yet despite these unimaginable hardships, their story stands as a powerful testament to the strength of love, mutual support, and the resilience of the human spirit.
From Childhood Friends to a Lifetime of Love
Andrii and Lesia have known each other since they were teenagers. They first met at the age of 16. What started as a youthful friendship and connection through family eventually blossomed into a deep and lasting relationship. Lesia remembers how, during their youth, both of them explored different paths and had other interests, but there was always something that brought them back to one another.
Today, they have been together as a couple for more than 25 years. Their story shows how enduring bonds can grow from early beginnings.
War, Injury, and a Promise to Stay Together
Andrii’s account of military service is filled with sorrow and courage. He recalls how suddenly he was drafted and, after brief training, sent to the front lines in Donetsk. There, he sustained a grave injury that he speaks about reluctantly with a voice heavy with grief. Evacuated first to hospitals in Dnipro and Kyiv, and eventually to Lviv, where Andrii was told about the irreversible loss of his sight and the necessity of an amputation.
Throughout this ordeal, Lesia remained his steadfast guardian angel. She remembers the days of panic when she couldn’t reach Andrii, gripped by the fear that something terrible had happened. Despite Andrii asking her not to cry, the anxiety overwhelmed her. With unwavering determination, she started searching for information - calling hotlines, reaching out to volunteers. When she finally learned he was in Dnipro, she left immediately without a moment’s hesitation.
"I felt he was alone there, with no one by his side," she shares. Her greatest support came from their children - a son and daughter - who traveled with her to Kyiv, where Andrii was later transferred. "Mom, you’re not alone," they told her, offering words that became her greatest comfort.
Rehabilitation, Prosthetics, and a Future Full of Hope
The Lviv-based "Unbroken" rehabilitation center became a place of renewal for Andrii. It was a space where he could begin healing both physically and emotionally. There, he received top-level medical care and essential psychological support. Lesia was constantly by his side, helping him adjust to a new reality. She admits that accepting his vision loss was hard at first, but she quickly realized that her strength had to become his strength.
"I understood I had to be strong. I started preparing myself mentally, holding back my emotions," Lesia recalls. Her care and devotion knew no bounds. She did everything in her power to make sure Andrii never felt abandoned or alone.
As part of their journey toward a new beginning, Andrii and Lesia took part in the "From Idea to Veteran Business" training at the Unbroken Rehabilitation Center. This initiative is part of the UNIDO program "Emergency Assistance for 3D-printed Prosthetics and Job Creation in Ukraine," supported by the Government of Japan. The training not only provided practical tools and knowledge, but also strengthened their confidence in building a future together.
New Horizons: Massage Therapy, Learning, and Helping Others
Today, Andrii and Lesia look to the future with hope and a growing list of plans. Lesia has long dreamed of opening her own massage studio - an idea Andrii now passionately supports. Once skeptical of massage therapy, his personal experience during treatment changed his mind.
"I always dreamed of doing massage," says Lesia. "But Andrii used to be skeptical about it." He laughs: "Then I ended up in the hospital, got massages myself, and realized how much they actually help."
Inspired by the story of a visually impaired massage therapist from Kamianka, Andrii and Lesia decided to no longer delay their dream.
"There are people with vision loss who do massage," Andrii notes. "So I told Lesia, why not give it a try?" They believe their shared efforts and mutual encouragement will lead them to success - and inspire other veterans who are searching for purpose after the war.
Andrii is also considering pursuing an education in psychology, motivated by advice from Oleg Bereziuk, the head of the Unbroken Center for Mental Health and a practicing psychotherapist. He believes his lived experience will allow him to truly understand and support others who’ve gone through trauma.
"People would listen to you more because of your lived experience," Andrii recalls the doctor telling him.
Technology as a Gateway: Discovering the World by Touch
A separate chapter of their journey involves learning to adapt to technology that supports people with vision loss. Lesia remembers how they initially hesitated to use a smartphone, but eventually realized its immense value in staying connected and independent.
"We met someone here during rehab who had a visual impairment. An occupational therapist was teaching them how to use the phone, how to stay in touch, how to navigate life. Living with vision loss in this world isn’t easy, but the phone opens up so many possibilities. It felt like a miracle — both of us had to learn from scratch," Lesia shares.
Thanks to support from their therapist and the wider community of visually impaired people, Andrii learned to use special apps and accessibility tools. Now, he can read, communicate, and access information - all with the help of technology. He speaks warmly about the volunteers who help visually impaired individuals across the globe.
Together Forever: A Love That Defeats Darkness
The story of Andrii and Lesia is not only one of pain, loss, and adversity, but also of love, loyalty, and hope. They’ve learned to overcome challenges as a team, to lift one another in moments of despair, and to find new meaning in life. Their unbreakable bond has been the foundation of their recovery and adaptation. They’ve proven that even after the darkest moments, happiness is still possible - especially when you have someone by your side to share both joy and sorrow.'
"He’s my mind, and I’ll be his neck. Together we’ll manage," Lesia says with confidence - a powerful reminder of their unity and determination to face whatever lies ahead.
Their story shines as a beacon of hope - a vivid example of how love, support, and faith can work miracles, even in the toughest of times.