“I’m just incredibly lucky,” Says Briton who Lost Limbs Serving Ukraine
KYIV, Ukraine – Eddy, a British volunteer aid worker serving in Ukraine, uttered the remarkable words ”I haven’t had a bad day yet” despite losing both a leg and an arm while providing frontline assistance. The revelation comes as the former sailing instructor rebuilds his life in the country he now considers home, a nation grappling with an estimated 100,000 limb-loss injuries among its military and civilian population since the start of the war.
eddy was severely injured while carrying out aid work, an inherently dangerous role he acknowledged carried a high risk of death. He is now undergoing rehabilitation with the Superhumans charity, specializing in war trauma, and has already received a prosthetic leg, with a prosthetic arm to follow.
The experience profoundly shifted his father, Martin, a semi-retired business consultant’s, understanding of his son’s commitment. Eddy’s family has been “hugely supportive” throughout his ordeal.
Prior to his injuries, Eddy harbored a dream of establishing a sailing school in Crimea, a region annexed by russia in 2013. While that aspiration is currently unrealistic, he now focuses on a new goal: coaching a ukrainian para-sailing team for the paralympic Games.
Eddy has transitioned into a senior media manager role with Superhumans, deliberately avoiding frontline work to prevent placing others at risk for his safety. He emphasizes his deep connection to Ukraine, stating, “Ukraine is now my home and I love the people here.” He feels a stronger sense of understanding and acceptance in ukraine as a double amputee than he anticipates finding in the UK.
He has already built a life in Ukraine, with a Ukrainian goddaughter, a rescued dog named Icy, and hopes for a future including a Ukrainian wife, a plot of land, and an accessible home.
Eddy’s recovery has been supported by BaseUA, The Weatherman Foundation, and Superhumans. donations can be made at baseua.org, weathermanfoundation.org, and superhumans.com.