Today I proudly wear my bracelet from Mariupol – a symbol of the “Men of Steel,” the heroes who defended Azovstal.
Some time ago, I had the privilege of spending a full 24 hours with Ukrainian veterans who were severely wounded in the war and now live with different disabilities. It was an incredibly meaningful experience for me to share time and conversations with these heroes.
We spoke about something very close to my heart: that life in a wheelchair does not mean the end of one’s ability to contribute. Perhaps one can no longer serve as a soldier on the battlefield, but there are countless other ways to make a difference – for me it was through entrepreneurship, through politics, and, most importantly, through being a father.
A huge thank you to HUG – Help Ukraine Gothenburg, who tirelessly work to support Ukraine in so many ways, from veteran rehabilitation and integration programs to humanitarian aid and mental health. They were the ones who organized this remarkable, fully accessible camp – and without their passion and dedication, none of this would have been possible.
Through ADfitness we were also able to provide a fully accessible gym for the veterans to train together. And thanks to the generous donation of my friend Sharam Rahi, they will now bring the entire gym with them to Ukraine. Because training is not only about rehabilitation and medical care – it is about fitness, strength, and quality of life for everyone.
Later, one of the last defenders of Mariupol gave me this bracelet as a thank-you for what I have done to support Ukraine since the war began. It was an incredibly emotional moment for me.
I have not been able to share this until now, for security reasons, and I also cannot reveal the location of the camp. But today, on Ukraine’s Independence Day, I want to honor these heroes and their fight.
They remind us that freedom is never guaranteed – but always worth defending.
Слава Україні! 🇺🇦