After winning the New Venture Competition, moving forward and meeting with my advisors there was one common question that continued to arise and wasn’t answered. This question was, “How much of a need are prosthetic knees from current/recent wars?”
The answer to this question is not public knowledge for American troops and military. So I had to think outside the box of where to gather this information. Speaking directly to Ukrainian military, Veterans and amputees would be perfect but I knew this was a large ask for an opportunity like that. My initial thought was to venture into Krakow, where many refugees are finding safety. I went with the intent to speak with refugees to gain their insight and experiences of their life in Ukraine. Would they speak of civilian land mines? Would they speak of injured friends/family? What would their recent experiences include?
But, it wasn’t even 1 hour after landing in Poland that a good friend called me and informed me he had contacts who would allow me to speak directly with Ukrainian amputee Veterans. Which I of course was ready to do whatever I needed to have this type of opportunity. He then proceeded to ask me two questions: 1) Would I be willing to travel into Ukraine? 2) Am I mentally prepared?
No plans were made. I was to wait to see if I receive any messages in the following days to indicate if it’s a go. And so I hung up the phone, proceeded onto the train with the back of my brain racing. All I could think of was, “I’m really doing something I have longed to do. This is what I have always wanted to do.”
I spent the first full day in Krakow familiarizing myself with the city, the people, the customs and I was stoked that my month of ‘Babbel’ paid off. No one bat an eye when I would walk into a store and order. The next few days I spent traveling to the station where Ukrainian refugees are told to go when they arrive, an underground Ukrainian café and theatre, and a synagogue which helps refugees start a life in Poland. Then one afternoon I received the message. Tomorrow morning I was to leave to cross the border and meet my contact.
All I was told was to walk across. Sounded far too easy.. Was I even going to have cell service? Is my contact actually going to be waiting for me or will I find myself alone in a country which is under war? Would I actually be able to leave on the day I requested to get back into Poland? I wasn’t sure about any of those answers but everything just seemed ‘right’. I felt I was meant to do this, and so I trusted my intuition and my friend’s word.
And just like that passport was stamped by a lady who had sadness in her eyes but a smile on her face, asking me first in Polish, “Your first time in Ukraine? Let me be the first one to welcome you.” Walking to the end of the barbed wire path I see Diana, my translator. This is the point of the story where after handshakes between her and her father, I was directed into the car and briefed on where I was going, where I would be staying and the state of the war on that particular day. Within 10 minutes of getting out of the car in Lviv, air raid sirens went off. No one, including myself react to them. Diana explained to me how these sirens are daily but are nothing to worry about…
The following morning comes, I am to meet with the Director of a hospital. In the car I am briefed on who this individual is and how during this meeting I am representing much more than myself, “so I better act like a CEO.” The Director told me he sees 100 to 200 military patients a week with 60% needing at least 1 above the knee prosthetic. The meeting had us all leaving hopeful for the future and had led me to meet the Director of the prosthetic department and Veteran amputees. Speaking directly to the people I started this whole company for, military personnel and Veterans. The next day I met with another Director of a different hospital, the Director of that prosthetic department and amputee Veterans both with a prosthetic and those still in the hospital. This hospital Director gave me the same statistics and both directors had spoken to me about ways they could help me with the development of my prosthetic in their facility. When speaking with the second Director, I will never forget how tears welled up in his eyes and he said softly, “Thank you for not forgetting about us.” I had to keep myself in business mode to not cry seeing all these strong men in the hospital, all at different stages of acceptance. Some more sad others mad but all had love of their country and all wanted to share their story with me. That’s why I was there, to listen to them. To hear how every single one of them wanted to get back to their regular activities and sports, all of which included something outdoors like running or hiking in the mountains. I was warned by my translator and directors that they were not sure how any of these men would react to speaking with me. I was shown nothing but compassion and saw a smile on every one of their faces when they spoke to me about the things they loved to do.
That is why I am here. That is why I started this company. That is what my prosthetic will allow men and women to continue to do, the activities they love.
The evenings I had to myself. I explored the city and shops. The love for their country was felt all around the city, the countryside, in every little coffee shop. There were teens playing music in the city center. Restaurants with beautiful outdoor seating. And… a city wide curfew after dark… More air raid sirens in the middle of the night… Everyone was trying to live their life amongst the chaos and sadness of war.
I will not forget the never ending cups of coffee I had including the day I crossed back into Poland. Entering the car I was greeted with, “We will get coffee in a border town.” Everyone greeted me with open arms, all who were wanting to share their insight and offer me help in any way they could. The genuine hugs, tears and smiles are seared into my brain. I will be back..