The Girl Who Chose Art

It was January of 2023, and 6-year-old Anna and her father were walking through the cold, foggy morning in Brovary, Ukraine, just steps away from her kindergarten building.

What was supposed to be a normal school day turned tragic in an instant. A helicopter carrying Ukraine’s Ministry of Internal Affairs crashed directly into the building, sending debris flying across the playground. Several children were killed and many more injured, including Anna.

“It all happened very fast,” Anna’s father said.

Anna sustained severe burns from the helicopter’s fiery fuel. She was first treated in Kyiv, then spent two months in Austria, five of those weeks in intensive care. Meanwhile, her father was in another town receiving treatment for his own burn injuries. After returning home to Ukraine, Anna’s family struggled to find adequate medical care for her. Although there were plastic surgeons in the country, none specialized in treating children.

“I didn’t realize that her burns could leave such scars,” Anna’s mother, Kateryna, said. “After half a year, Anna’s scars started to become larger and larger.” She had received 10 reconstructive surgeries while in Austria, and later learned that her scars were not healing properly because of bacteria that was building up inside her skin.

The family heard of U.S. doctors offering help in a town near Poland. They registered online, sent photos, and made the seven-hour drive. The doctors were ready to help, and plans to transfer Anna to Shriners Children’s were soon underway. It took 10 months to organize the trip due to paperwork, visas and medical documentation, but in early 2025, Anna and her parents arrived in Galveston, Texas.

Since then, Anna has undergone surgery with Ludwik Branski, M.D., MMS, who informed the family that her scars are healing well. Dr. Branski has expertise in reconstructive surgery for injuries caused by severe burns.". For Anna, he recommended ongoing laser treatments and physical therapy in the months ahead. Anna and her family will return for another operation later in the year.

“We are so grateful for the work he has done,” said Kateryna. “These doctors are working from their heart. They do their work and don’t expect anything in return. For me, it’s very unbelievable that there are people like this.”

Though Anna is homesick and misses her 16-year-old brother and her beloved cat, she is staying strong. She keeps herself busy painting and drawing. Her favorite things to draw are cats, butterflies, unicorns and her family members. Some of her artwork even hangs on the walls of her home in Ukraine.

Anna’s love for art has always fueled her excitement at school. “She loved to go to kindergarten,” Kateryna said. “A lot of kids cry when their parents drop them off, but Anna loved it.” On the morning of the accident, Kateryna, who is a teacher and happened to be on vacation, suggested Anna stay home with her. But Anna insisted on going. “I have to go today,” she said. “There’s going to be an art lesson.”

Anna’s other interests include dancing and playing games on her phone. When she grows up, Anna dreams of becoming a doctor to help children. She’s inspired by the physicians who are helping her now. Despite the pain, trauma and homesickness, Anna and her family said they’ve felt love and kindness from those around them.

“It’s challenging, interesting and exciting being here,” Kateryna said. “But I also have a lot of pain inside that I can’t treat. I have scared feelings, worried feelings. But on the other hand, I have a lot of love and feel a lot of love from these people. Despite everything, I know there are lots of people who are praying and helping us.”

Anna and her parents will return to Ukraine soon but plan to travel back to Texas for follow-up care. Until then, they remain thankful for the staff at Shriners Children’s Texas who are helping Anna heal, both inside and out.

“We appreciate all the doctors, nurses and staff here,” said Kateryna. “The people here change lives.”