Recovery after severe injuries does not end when a person leaves a hospital or rehabilitation center. For many veterans who have lost limbs as a result of Russia’s war against Ukraine, recovery is not only about regaining physical abilities. It is also about finding new motivation, building confidence, and becoming part of a supportive community.

This is the mission of the Second Wind community — an initiative that helps veterans recover through adaptive mountain sports, shared expeditions, and new challenges.

Mountains as a Path to Recovery

Adaptive mountain sports provide participants with more than a physical challenge. They offer an opportunity to regain self-confidence and rediscover what is possible after life-changing injuries.

Every climb becomes proof that even after severe trauma, people can continue living active lives, traveling, participating in sports, and pursuing ambitious goals.

One of the community’s most remarkable achievements was the 2025 expedition to Mount Kilimanjaro. Ukrainian veterans with limb amputations successfully reached the highest peak in Africa, demonstrating once again that determination and resilience can overcome extraordinary obstacles.

During this expedition, the documentary film Second Wind was filmed, sharing with international audiences the stories of people who, after experiencing war, discover new meaning, new goals, and new summits to conquer.

Fram-Equipment’s Role

At Fram-Equipment, we have always supported initiatives that encourage people to embrace the outdoors, adventure, and an active lifestyle. Supporting the Second Wind community was therefore a natural extension of our values.

For the Kilimanjaro expedition, our team provided veterans and the film crew with technical outdoor apparel specifically designed for demanding high-altitude conditions. The equipment had to meet three key requirements:

  • provide maximum comfort and protection in rapidly changing weather conditions;

  • remain lightweight and highly functional for long mountain ascents;

  • create a unified visual identity for the team throughout the international project.

Thanks to our in-house production capabilities and flexible customization process, we were able to develop and deliver gear tailored to the specific needs of every participant.

Long-Term Commitment

Our involvement did not end with the summit or the documentary’s release. Fram-Equipment continues to support the Second Wind community because we believe adaptive sports and mountain environments can play a vital role in both physical and psychological recovery.

We are proud to contribute to an initiative that helps veterans embrace new challenges, build meaningful connections, and return to active and fulfilling lives.

Second Wind is far more than a single expedition or a documentary film. It is a growing community of people who prove that even after the most difficult experiences, it is possible to move forward, discover new opportunities, and reach new heights.