“DETOX with the Unbreakable.” Stories of Strength. Mykhailo Drobotenko

When Mykhailo Drobotenko entered the set, the first impression was unequivocal: a person without fear, but with a big heart and a great sense of humor. Together with him came his beloved and a small dog who did not leave the athlete throughout the entire shooting — it seemed that this support was as important to him as sports.

Mykhailo — Odessan, two-time European champion and vice-champion of the world with Para-Jiu Jitsu, winner of the BJJ blue belt. From 2015 to 2022, he served in the military until he was blown up by a Russian mine while demining positions near Severodonetsk on March 24, 2022. Despite the serious injury and the loss of both legs below the knee, Mykhailo remained conscious and self-imposed a turnstile.

After being wounded, it was sports that helped him return to civilian life. At first, doctors forbade training due to the risk of sutures diverging after operations, but today Mykhailo is already lifting a bar weighing 175 kg and continues to set new goals for himself.

He is genuinely happy when people offer help, but believes: the most important thing is — to do it with respect. «Hug — is good. But you should always ask permission», — says Mykhailo.

According to him, inclusiveness in Ukraine is gradually developing, but most of the problems for people with disabilities still remain unresolved. This is especially true for access to gyms.

«There are changes in inclusiveness, but they are very small. Among the problems, more than 90% of the problems for the movement of people with disabilities remain unresolved. The first thing I would like was to make inclusive gyms. It is difficult for me to get to an ordinary hall, it is either in the basement or on the 2nd or 3rd floor. A person on a wheelchair needs outside help, and this offends and demotivates», — says the athlete.

Despite all the difficulties, Mykhailo looks forward with confidence. He says that the main thing for him is to train more, and ten years later he sees himself with Paralympic gold.

The «DETOX project, together with indomitable», is implemented jointly with the Ministry of Veterans and the NGO «Protection +» (as part of the direction of integration of veterans into brand communications «Veterans are respected here).