Limb Lab replacement bring Ukrainians together in Minnesota

A Ukrainian man is in Minnesota visiting Limb Lab, a prosthetic company that will fit him for a new limb.

And by coincidence, the person who fitted him is also from Ukraine.

Bogdan Konovalov returns home to Ukraine Tuesday, just as Ukraine is being threatened by Russia.

As unlikely as it seems, it is in a second-floor office of the Limb Lab in Minneapolis where a patient from halfway around the world makes a special connection.

“My mother was holding me like this, and the driver of the train started moving with open doors,” he describes.
His current prosthetic is more than 6 years old and in need of replacement as prosthetic parts generally only last 3-5 years.

“Ukrainian prosthetic leg is not so good as in the United States,” he said.

With the help of donations, Yakov Gradinar is fitting Bogdan with a new prosthetic, which will help him immensely.
“I can walk much easier now with my prosthetic leg than before,” Bogdan explains.

Bogdan is a youth pastor living with his family in southeast Ukraine, Gradinar also from Ukraine, where tensions continue to rise.

“I still have parents and two brothers and two sister back in Ukraine on the western side, definitely I have concerns about them. but connecting with Bodgan he is very close to the Russian border which I almost want to keep him here to keep him safe,” Gradinar said.

While the new limb will improve Bogdan’s way of life, both men can’t help but wonder what that life will be like if Russia invades.

“I am worrying and praying because that is my country, and my nation, and nobody can know what can happen tomorrow,” Bogdan said.

Bogdan will head back to Ukraine on Tuesday and the hope is his new limb will last 3-5 years, but he would love a running knee and foot to pursue his dream of running a half marathon. If you’d like to help, he has a fundraising page set up.