Rebecca Manzi From the tragedy of her leg amputation to her rebirth in gymnastics thanks to a prosthesis: the story of little Sasha Pascal tells us all about the horrors of this war
@paskals2016/Instagram
Sasha Pascal’s life was forever altered in May 2022. She is a young Odesa girl whose life was forever altered when the town of Zatoka, where she and her family were residing, was attacked by a Russian missile strike, which destroyed her home and left her severely injured.
Sasha, only five years old, was buried under the debris. She suffered serious injuries that led to the amputation of her left leg. Sasha was a gymnastics fan throughout her life. She practiced daily from an early age, showing great talent and determination.
But the May 16, 2022, bombing disrupted her life. Her mother, Mariia, was blown unconscious by the blast and woke up to find that her daughter was hurt and trapped under the debris. Sasha suffered an open arm fracture, broken ribs, and severe head trauma. The most severe injury, however, was to her leg, which the surgeons could not save.
Sasha was placed in a medically induced coma for 15 days prior to the amputation. When she woke up, she had to come to terms with a new reality: learning to live with a prosthetic and fighting physical and emotional losses brought about by war.
A dream that never faded
Despite the incredible physical and emotional pain, Sasha never lost interest in gymnastics. Seven months of rehabilitation and two prosthetics later, she was training again. Under the guidance of the Tellus Medical Center, she received a bionic prosthetic that allowed her to move more freely and continue practicing her favorite sport.
Her dedication led her back to competition. In Chornomorsk, in the Odesa oblast, she participated in and won a gymnastics competition, demonstrating that determination was stronger than any obstacle.
“I never doubted I would make it”
“I never doubted I would make it,” declared Sasha firmly. Her mother, who has been there to support her every step of the way, refers to her as “a star that shines brightly.”
As reward for her immense courage and endurance, Sasha was rewarded by the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine as one of the “war child heroes.” This initiative rewards people who remain steadfast in their pursuit of ideals in the face of adversity and suffering.
Sasha’s story is an inspiration. Although war tried to take away her childhood, she proved that willpower and determination can overcome any obstacle. Now, she aspires to be an ambassador of Ukraine at international competitions. We can only hope for her good fortune.
