Anatoliy Uzlov: “A mechanical prosthesis helps to cope with easy tasks, and a bionic one makes life much easier”
The war found Anatoliy Uzlov, a steelmaker at Zaporizhstal, and his family at a ski resort in western Ukraine. On his return to Zaporizhzhia, Anatoly immediately joined the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
After missile attacks on the Yavorivsky training ground, where the man was trained, he was sent to the Donetsk direction. Subsequently, as part of the anti-diversionary unit, Anatoliy went on a combat mission to Pisky near Donetsk – there were fierce battles going at that moment. During another shelling by an enemy tank, the military man received a shrapnel wound to his hand and underwent surgery to amputate his left hand.
Anatoliy got into the joint charitable prosthetics programme from Metinvest's Saving Lives humanitarian project and the Prosthetics Support Project in Ukraine thanks to his sister, who also works at Zaporizhstal.
Two months later, the military man received a Norwegian bionic prosthesis, and subsequently an additional mechanical prosthesis.
“I got used to use a mechanical prosthesis for some easy household chores, because it is not afraid of water. At the same time, a bionic arm makes life much easier: you can hold objects with it, helping your right hand,” says Anatoliy.
The man considers the prosthetics programme a very important initiative for all the defenders of Ukraine who underwent amputation, because it is an opportunity to live a full life without limitations.