Ukrainian Soldier
Leonid Ovdiiuk, 36, steps on stairs as Alyssa Findlay, a physical therapist and neurological clinical specialist, helps strengthen and stretch muscles during a physical therapy session Thursday, March 17, 2022 at Brooks Rehabilitation in Jacksonville. A Ukrainian soldier, he is at the rehab facility working to strengthen himself from injuries sustained after stepping on an IED, while on patrol with his commander, in May of 2020. His commander died. Ovdiiuk was in a coma for 14 days with a severe spinal cord injury. He now suffers from Brown-Sequard syndrome. BSS is a neurological condition where damage to the spinal cord results in weakness or paralysis on one side of the body and a loss of sensation other. Ovdiiuk experiences issues with his left side and will undergo surgery where parts of his right hamstring will be grafted into his left hand to help him gain strength and improved motor function. (Corey Perrine/Florida Times-Union)