Before the full-scale invasion, Mykola KHAULIAK lived an ordinary life in Kamianets region – he worked, helped his parents and dreamed of his own car. When russia started a full-scale war, Mykola did not hesitate to volunteer for the front.

"I couldn't stay away," says Mykola. "I wanted to defend my people, my home, my land. That's how I ended up in Donetsk direction." 

In the war, he served as a sniper. While performing combat missions on September 11, 2023, he was seriously wounded in the battles for Bakhmut. As a result of the injury, he lost his lower limb.

After evacuation and stabilization of the condition, the soldier underwent six-month rehabilitation - first in Rivne, and then in Ivano-Frankivsk region. Despite the pain and the difficult path of recovery, Mykola did not give up. "It was hard," he admits, "but I realized that life goes on and I have to move on." Then Mykola decided to come true an old dream - to learn how to drive a car. After being wounded, this desire took on a new meaning. "The car is my independence," says Mykola. "I want to decide where and when to go – for rehabilitation, on business, with friends."

Looking for where to study, Mykola learned about the barrier-free driving school of Kharkiv National University of Internal Affairs, where conditions are created for people with disabilities, and teachers have experience working with such students.