Yana Stepanenko’s life was forever altered by a Russian missile strike on April 8, 2022.
A heart-wrenching tale of tragedy transformed into a remarkable display of resilience and progress all thanks to the dedicated Ukrainian and American doctors who provided care for the young girl. Stepanenko, now 13 years old, fearlessly participated in a 5K run during the 2024 Boston Marathon, showcasing the indomitable spirit and fortitude of the Ukrainian people. Not only did she aim to inspire others with her incredible feat, but she also sought to raise funds for a Ukrainian soldier in need.
The family went to San Diego with the help of Peter Harsch Prosthetics and The Right to Walk Foundation after receiving a few months of treatment in Lviv, western Ukraine.
The family remembered it as the most challenging year they had ever faced. However, with the help of American surgeons and physiotherapists, Natalia and Yana were able to quickly recover and regain their strength. In fact, Yana even resumed swimming in the pool. Despite this progress, her mother mentioned that Yana still has a long way to go as she continues to grow and constantly requires new prosthetics.
Yana had an unwavering determination to achieve a significant goal, regardless of the countless hardships and challenges she faced.
In August 2023, she returned to Lviv to continue her rehabilitation at the Unbroken Ukraine center. During her time there, she took on the role of ambassador for the clinic, working to raise funds for the treatment of children. It was during her stay at the center that she crossed paths with Oleksandr Riasnyi, a soldier who had lost a limb in combat.
In his pursuit to return to active duty and resume running, Yana took it upon herself to assist him in raising funds for a new prosthesis. As part of their campaign, she set a personal challenge for herself – signing up to participate in the 5K race in Boston.
“I never expected to be part of a race like this. I was incredibly nervous!” Yana exclaimed, reflecting on the beginning of her training three months ago.
The girl dedicatedly trained four times a week, with the unwavering support of her family and Ukrainian doctors.
She admitted that right before the marathon, fear started to kick in.
“I was filled with fear that I wouldn’t be able to complete the entire distance,” she admitted.
“I am extremely proud! She is an amazing child, and her family is remarkable too! Working with them has been an absolute pleasure,” expressed Dave Fortier from One World Strong. “Yana embraces the power of movement as a means of healing, and our organization was created to support individuals in doing just that. We aim to provide people from all corners of the world with opportunities like this, regardless of their background!”
Yana celebrated her 13th birthday on April 16th and exclaimed that she received the most incredible gift.
“I’m so thrilled to share that we were able to raise an impressive sum of half a million hryvnias for Oleksandr’s running prosthesis! This means that he will now have the opportunity to run just like me,” she joyfully exclaimed. “I couldn’t be happier with the outcome!”
