It was a dramatic first for both the patient and his care team.

Just 27 days after arriving at UHN’s West Park Healthcare Centre, Yevhen Shlemkyvych, 21, a below-knee double amputee patient who had never walked, took his first steps.

And, for the rehabilitation care team – including a physiatrist, physiotherapists, rehabilitation assistants and prosthetists – it marked the first time they treated a patient who had never experienced walking and had to be taught the mechanics such as using his knees and exploring a new range of motion.

“It’s really remarkable to see his progress,” says Dr. Steven Dilkas, physiatrist for Amputee & Musculoskeletal Services at West Park. “This is all new to him – being upright, putting on shoes for the first time and learning to tie his shoelaces.”

Growing up in Western Ukrainian, Yevhen was born with a condition that rendered his legs unusable. At home and when he was out in public but thought no one was looking, he moved on his knees with pads for protection, dragging his feet behind. 

With limited infrastructure in his village to accommodate wheelchairs, he was largely housebound. 

Yevhen was advised to wait until he turned 18 to undergo a double amputation and be fitted with prostheses. But by the time that day came, the Russo-Ukrainian War prevented him from having the procedure. 

After immigrating to Canada a year ago, Yevhen was referred to a surgeon, underwent bilateral amputations and arrived at West Park in May. Over the course of his stay, which ended earlier in July, he worked with West Park’s Amputee Rehabilitation and Prosthetics & Orthotics Services.

As Yevhen had never walked before, the rehabilitation care team had to explain the mechanics. They guided him through strengthening muscles he had never fully used, taught him how to utilize his knees and their range of motion, and helped him find his new centre of gravity after his prostheses – which were fitted at West Park –
significantly increased his height. 

“It was hard. The prostheses were very heavy at first, but they seem lighter now,” says Yevhen, describing his first steps through a Ukrainian translator, Stefania Lehkyj, who was also one of his physiotherapists. “I knew over time, I would be able to walk.”

Wearing blue Saucony runners, his first pair of shoes, Yevhen is now able to walk and go up and down the stairs with two canes. With continued training, he looks forward to the day he can walk without aides.

Since his first step, Yevhen’s perspective on life has changed literally and figuratively. With his new legs, he is taller, which he says offers a much better view. Life opportunities are also beginning to open. 

“With my legs, I feel normal,” Yevhen says. “I can be amongst people now. I can find a job.” 

The West Park team has been in awe of his progress over the weeks and is optimistic for this future.

“It’s an inspiring story,” says Dr. Dilkas. “I’m thankful for what we do here, the team and all of their efforts.”

By Lijeanne Lee
 Lijeanne Lee works in communications at Unity Health Network.