A Parrot

Taras Derhach

A soldier of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a young man of 32, who took up arms to defend his homeland at the very beginning of the full-scale Russian invasion. In late 2023, during fierce battles in eastern Ukraine, Taras suffered a devastating spinal injury. The wounds left him bedridden for months, unable to move. What followed was a long and grueling journey — a battle not only for his country, but for his own body. He had to relearn the most basic movements: how to move his hands, his legs, how to sit up. Today, Taras looks back with a quiet smile, remembering the pure joy he felt the first time he was able to feed himself again. Now he moves freely in a wheelchair and serves as a powerful example of human resilience and inner strength. In many cultures, parrots are seen as a symbol of joy, friendship, and playfulness. As a child, Taras grew up surrounded by bright blue and yellow parrots — cheerful little creatures that filled his home with color and life. That spirit of joy has never left him.