US Army Veteran DJ Skelton Was Severely Wounded in Iraq. He is Helping Ukrainian Amputees Find New Purpose.

Published Aug 2, 2026, 5:00 AM EDT

Paradox Sports, Razom For Ukraine are collaborating on a unique program as an estimated 100,000 soldiers in Ukraine are now disabled.

Veterans from two sides of the world are teaming up as part of a unique partnership ushering in adaptive rock climbing to the estimated 100,000 disabled service members in Ukraine. Paradox Sports, a nonprofit organization that makes rock and ice climbing accessible to people with physical disabilities, has partnered with another U.S.-based nonprofit, Razom for Ukraine, to launch a new climbing program for Ukrainian veterans. Members of both organizations begin the training sessions in Ukraine on Aug. 2, with climbing continuing until Aug. 6. The sessions will involve adaptive climbing systems and equipment strategies, disability awareness best practices, volunteer and instructor training models, and approaches for growing climbing communities that welcome people with disabilities. Climbing community leaders and nonprofits Second Wind and Petros, both located in Ukraine, are supporting the program. Leading the effort on the U.S. side are DJ Skelton, Paradox Sports co-founder and retired U.S. Army major and advisor to Ukrainian leadership on veterans’ affairs; and Alex Kosseff, executive director of Paradox Sports.