‘The feeling of helplessness is very unpleasant, especially for men.’ Oleh Symoroz on the problems of veterans with disabilities
The problems of war veterans in Ukraine remain one of the most pressing social issues, as returning from the frontline is often accompanied by serious challenges: physical injuries, psychological consequences, and numerous difficulties in social adaptation. Many soldiers who have gone through the horrors of war face indifference or insufficient support from the state and society. The situation of veterans with disabilities is of particular concern, as they often have to overcome all the bureaucratic, physical and emotional obstacles on their own. This is what Oleh Symoroz, a veteran of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, focuses on in his interview, sharing his thoughts on how Ukraine could improve support for its veterans, taking a cue from the US experience.
Analysing the American approach to people with disabilities, Oleh Symoroz noted that in many ways the United States has become an example of successful integration of veterans into society.
‘In general, I don’t like a lot of things about America, but when it comes to inclusion, attitude towards veterans, veterans’ welfare, social policy, it’s just great. All doors open automatically, all buildings have ramps, all toilets are adapted to allow a person in a wheelchair to enter. Such issues have been resolved once and for all – without special meetings, the creation of working groups, etc.,’ the military said.
Simoroz also said that in American society, people with disabilities are a common part of everyday life. They can be seen at stadiums, churches, restaurants, and this does not surprise anyone and does not cause condemnation.
“People with disabilities, people in wheelchairs are absolutely everywhere – at stadiums, in churches, in restaurants – everywhere. And no one points a finger at them or is surprised to see them. And this applies to the elderly, people with illness, and, of course, veterans. This is an American talisman, a symbol of the state, just like the coat of arms or the flag. In every airport – and I’ve been to Seattle, Chicago, New York – there are photos of fallen soldiers who came from this state. There is a lot of respect for them,” the veteran said.
He also mentioned the difficulties faced by American veterans in the past. In the 1980s, attitudes towards the military were very different and they were treated with a certain amount of contempt, especially Vietnam War veterans, who were often accused of participating in obscure or unpopular conflicts.
‘Americans did not understand, firstly, what they fought for, and secondly, they did not understand the government’s policy of forcing citizens to support veterans at taxpayers’ expense. America is a tough country where everyone prefers to pay for themselves. Especially when it comes to healthy young people who are far from having any disabilities,” explained Symoroz.
However, according to him, the situation improved significantly after George W. Bush, who was a veteran himself, initiated programmes to support the military. Today, American society has a deep respect for veterans and people with disabilities.
Oleh Symoroz stressed that Ukraine also needs to create a system of ongoing support for veterans and people with disabilities. He noted that relatives often cannot bear the burden of caring for people with special needs, as it requires significant physical and emotional effort.
“Such people themselves often choose to stay at home because our streets are not adapted for them. And they are not cowards at all – they have been in a hell that no American Rambo could ever dream of. But in order not to fall on the street or get into another unpleasant situation, they simply lock themselves in their apartments. Because the feeling of helplessness is very unpleasant, especially for men. Not everyone can overcome it,” said the veteran.
Symoroz also spoke about his own experience with the difficulties of the bureaucratic system: he had to go through several medical commissions to get permission to receive prosthetics and leave the service. He encountered numerous bureaucratic obstacles that made the process exhausting and psychologically difficult.
The veteran’s words clearly reflect the challenges faced by the Ukrainian military after returning from war. He calls on the Ukrainian authorities to reconsider the approach to social support for veterans and people with disabilities, and to create a system that will allow them to feel like full members of society.
