Blind Veterans Find Purpose in Pottery

Ivan Shostak, a 37-year-old veteran, discovered pottery as a means of recovery after losing his sight in March 2023 during the intense battle of Bakhmut. The blast from a rocket-propelled grenade not only cost him his vision but also resulted in a concussion and traumatic brain injury, profoundly altering his life and leading to the dissolution of his family.

Initially bedridden and struggling with despair, Shostak found solace and practical skills at a rehabilitation center. A pivotal moment came during a pottery workshop visit, igniting a passion that led him to become an instructor. He now leads the "Pottery in the Dark" project in Vinnytsia, Ukraine, a program supported by Sweden and the UN Development Program, which assists veterans who have lost their sight, many due to the ongoing conflict.

Shostak's business, bolstered by his Instagram presence, employs three others to help sell his creations. He emphasizes that the craft requires a positive mindset, with successful pieces only emerging when he feels good. The process involves him shaping the clay and later collaborating with others for firing and glazing, with each piece bearing his military insignia.

Roman Shtohryn, director of the Podillia rehabilitation center, noted that six out of eleven participants in the pottery training are now earning income from their craft, predominantly veterans. He highlighted the dual benefits of pottery: psychological relief through focused activity and the immediate satisfaction of creating tangible results. Shostak currently mentors Viacheslav Sadovskyi, another veteran injured in 2024, underscoring the program's core value of veterans supporting fellow veterans.