Among the tragedies of war, there are stories that impress not only with their pain, but also with the incredible strength of spirit of Ukrainian children. The story of Yana Stepanenko, a 13-year-old girl who lost both legs during the shelling of the Kramatorsk station, is exactly that.
Yana lived in the small town of New York, Donetsk region. Her life changed forever on April 8, 2022, when she arrived at Kramatorsk Station to evacuate with her family. The war, which seemed far away, at that moment became a merciless reality.
“The last thing I heard was a very scary noise in the sky. And when I laid on my back and raised my legs up, I didn’t see them there. There was a lot of blood.” Yana recalls.
The shelling was a tragic moment, but at the same time it was the beginning of a new stage in her life – a struggle for herself, her dreams and her future. The first months of rehabilitation were incredibly difficult. Yana had to relearn how to do things that are normal for others: get out of bed, move, walk. Thanks to rehabilitation at the Unbroken center, Yana received modern prostheses worth $6,000, which became a new chance for her. She not only learned to walk, but also started to run. Her first marathon became a symbol of victory over pain and limitations.
The girl was invited to the Boston Marathon, where she overcame 5 kilometers, training hard every day. Her example shows that even in the most difficult times you can find the strength to move forward. Each of her runs became not only a sporting achievement, but also an act of support for others. In particular, Yana helped raise money for a bioprosthesis for the Ukrainian military, continuing her calling as an ambassador for Unbroken.
“When I run, I feel alive. It’s my freedom.” – say Yana.
Her example inspires people from different countries, forcing them to reconsider their attitude to life. She proves that limitations are just challenges that can be overcome.
Yana has another passion – football. She is a supporter of Shakhtar, as can be seen from her Instagram photo. In addition, the girl travels a lot, meets new people and shares her example with everyone who loses hope. Her story is not only a testimony to the brutality of war, but also an example of how strength of spirit can overcome any difficulties.
A video of Yana, recently posted by Nicholas Karma on TikTok, quickly gained popularity, telling the world about her journey. In the video, Yana shares her emotions, tells how she overcame difficulties, and thanks everyone who helped her during this difficult time.
https://youtube.com/shorts/NgcDzt_pBBI
Yana Stepanenko became an example of great willpower for many Ukrainians, inspiring by her example. She proves that even after the most difficult trials, you can find the meaning of life, help others and stay true to your dreams.
