RE-Gait Rehabilitation Begins in Lviv
This spring, a new chapter in Ukraine’s medical recovery began as the UNBROKEN Rehabilitation Center in Lviv launched its first RE-Gait-supported rehabilitation sessions. The robotic walking assist devices, developed in Japan and delivered through the collaboration between Peace Boat Disaster Relief (PBV) and UNBROKEN, are already making a real difference in the lives of war-affected patients.
Over the past weeks, six patients began rehabilitation using RE-Gait. Four of them have already completed their course. Most are recovering from traumatic brain injuries, often accompanied by partial paralysis that makes walking difficult or impossible.
One of the first patients, Vitalii, suffered a brain injury during the war that left him with left-sided hemiparesis. Before treatment, he could only move with a cane. After completing his RE-Gait sessions, Vitalii is now walking independently — without assistance. His gait has become more stable and confident.
The reactions from the first group of patients speak volumes:
- “The device lifts my foot while walking — it’s easier and more comfortable.”
- “Walking gets easier every time.”
- “It’s nice to know it’s from Japan.”
- “Easy to put on, fun to walk with.”
- “I like how it buzzes.”
Behind these short phrases lies something bigger: the joy of movement, the return of independence, and the feeling of being seen and supported — even from across borders.
Therapists working with RE-Gait describe it as:
- Easy to operate
- Simple to fit into existing rehab programs
- Safe, with very few medical limitations
- Enjoyable for patients of different ages
This is no accident. The RE-Gait devices delivered to Ukraine were specially customized for local use, with larger shoes and Ukrainian-language tablets. Before delivery, Dr. Liubov Koloshynska traveled to Hiroshima and Fukuyama for direct training with the developers and medical professionals using the device in Japan.
Now back in Lviv, she and her team are not only using the technology — they’re transforming lives with it.
In a country where thousands are adapting to a new reality of life with disability, the ability to walk again means more than physical mobility. It brings back confidence, hope, and the feeling of being in control. This is only the beginning of what RE-Gait can offer Ukraine’s recovery. And every step forward is a step toward healing — for the body, and for the country.