Following a call by Ukranian President Volodymyr Zelensky for international recruits to help fight in the war, Bryson Woolsey from Powell River is making plans to go to Ukraine.
Woolsey was working as a cook at the Powell River Hospital and was watching what was happening.
“I’ve been keeping an eye on the conflict as it’s been going on and I’m wanting to do something I really wasn’t sure how or what to do, I’m not really in a place to donate financially or anything,” Woolsey said. “When the president called for international volunteers, I felt like that’s the chance.”
He says he has been spending time on online forums talking with other people who plan to go over, and they’re helping each other figure out ways to make it to Ukraine.
“When I saw this it really really felt like something right to do, a purpose. Just get over there, and do what I can,” Woolsey said. “It’s the right thing to do. I don’t think these people should stand alone in the fight.”
He says his family is scared for him, but understands that this is the choice he has made.
While Woolsey has already quit his job, there are a few other things he has to figure out before he heads out.
“I’m trying to figure out my school situation, I was supposed to school at the end of March and I have student loans for that,” he said. “So I want to see if I can postpone those or if I’d have to reapply and cancel and whatnot. Just get that stuff figured out.”
His plans were to go to Rhodes Wellness College to study to become an addictions counsellor, to help people like himself.
“I’m a recovering addict myself. I’ve been sober now for four years,” he said. “And so since that time is I’ve really kind of leaned more into doing what I can do for others rather than looking for what I can do for myself.”
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Mary Griffin
