The tragedy of Dmitry Kim: Anita Tsoi’s favorite dancer lost his leg during a selfie. Russian pop stars raise money for a Kazakh dancer who lost his leg About life in Los Angeles and strength of spirit

Starts a new column “ Simple stories amazing people" Every week we will talk about people who play sports and do what they love no matter what. Even against all odds. Our first hero was dancer Dmitry Kim. A simple guy from Almaty left for " American dream", but one day the unexpected happened...

Today, Instagram is one of the most popular social networks in the world, with almost everyone having an account. The photo platform of the popular application has different functions for everyone, but distinctive feature is fame in the number of subscribers. Bright, high-quality photographs attract attention, and if they are also signed with good text, then this is definitely the key to success. But in all this huge kaleidoscope of daily updates of photographs and texts, somewhere between the lines, you can see the touching story of a unique person...

Signs of fate, or a dented sneaker

He was transferring sneakers from the washing machine to the dryer when he noticed them appearance. The mold was severely deformed and bent only on the left one, while the right one was fine. He didn't attach much importance to it. After drying, he put on his shoes and went with his friends to the store. The day was drawing to a close, and the sunset gradually began to color the sky. On the way back, the guys decided to take a photo against the background of a white wall, which so successfully reflected the bright rays of the setting sun. The friend walked away to get a nice angle, and he leaned against the wall. A second later it collapsed and he, not having time to jump far, fell. The weight of the wall crushed his left leg. With that same wrinkled sneaker. Perhaps it was a sign, but which of us gives them meaning...

From Ainabulak to Moscow

His name is Dmitry Kim. But already for a long time he is known to everyone as Kima Dima. A pseudonym that personifies a beautiful, dynamic and slightly shocking personality, widely known in in social networks. But before all these bright colors captured in photographs, his life was rather bland and monochromatic. He grew up as an ordinary boy in ordinary family. An Almaty resident who spent his childhood in the Ainabulak region. In an area as remote as possible from the cultural streets of the southern capital and separated by a huge market of various goods, popularly nicknamed “Flea Market”.

Starting with early age dance, he periodically listened to ridicule from his peers. After all, where he grew up, young people went to boxing or other sections where they could teach them to stand up for themselves. And he learned to dance. And despite the sidelong glances, Dima was not particularly hurt by the “insults”. He simply decided to prove that dancing can be serious work, and you can achieve something without waving your fists:

“At the age of 17 I moved to Moscow. Having first entered college, I immediately got a job dancing in the most fashionable club for those years. Then, when I entered university, I thought that I wanted to develop more and dance with the stars. I went through a huge series of castings, and in the end, after a tough selection, I was accepted into ballet show Anita Tsoi. Then there was work with the group “ Vintage», Egor Creed and other artists.

And the life of a club partygoer began. This was a period radically different from the time at home, when I was nobody and no one knew me. I was finally doing something that gave me pleasure and brought me prosperity. Together with the team, we staged amazing theatrical performances with unique costumes. My life was a continuous holiday..."

And then the period came when he wanted something more. The current success and popularity were no longer so admirable, routine appeared and I wanted change. The choice was obvious. Where if not in Los Angeles, you could find inspiration, move to a new dance level, and find interesting projects. Without thinking twice and quickly gathering himself, he flew overseas. A new life has begun on the other hemisphere of the Earth. New workouts and work on yourself. Now, as the sun set in his homeland, his day, full of new hopes, was just beginning. And so it was until that fateful evening...

Lose the “bread” that feeds you

He did not remember well how he was brought to the hospital. The bustle of the doctors could not be discerned through the veil that shrouded the eyes. Somewhere in between the words of friends were heard: “Dima, hold on! You must hold on!” Clearly, he only felt a sharp pain in his leg, which was felt even through heavy doses of painkillers. And now, after three painful operations, the doctor’s verdict puts before terrifying fact. The leg cannot be saved and must be amputated. You can’t hesitate to make a decision, otherwise the infection will go higher up the leg, and you’ll have to amputate at the hip... And this is the solution!?

“When I understood everything and imagined myself without a leg up to my thigh, I began to cry from pain and regret. Is this a choice?! What can I do next?! My feet feed me!! At that moment, how long my leg would be cut off depended on my decision, but I simply became hysterical. I screamed. How so?! I'm a dancer!! This is my bread!! I can’t do anything else! How can I live without a leg?! Tears flowed down my cheeks, the whole world collapsed for me... I cried for a long time, and did not know how I would live further... I had thoughts that it would be better if I was crushed... And now I am a cripple and a freak... At that moment, from this pain I wanted die…"

Despite the hellish pain, Dima made a decision, and that same evening he underwent surgery to amputate his left leg at the knee. Coming to his senses in the morning, he heavily opened his eyes. There were friends nearby who smiled at his awakening. He smiled back at them: “Okay... Now we need to do something about it...”

New life on one leg

After this tragedy, a huge series of changes and changes occurred in his life. The news of what happened spread on the Internet like a virus. Many people responded to numerous reposts of support on social networks. Funds began to be collected for new prosthesis, which would allow Dima to walk without crutches. There were also calls from morning until late at night, encouraging messages.

“My phone was just ringing off the hook. Every day someone came to me, sat with me or walked with me, taking me out in a wheelchair.

“I didn’t even have time to be alone, because there was always someone in my room until late,” Dima recalls with a smile.

It would seem that the career of a professional dancer could be given up. But when you are surrounded by supportive loved ones, you simply do not have time to think dark thoughts alone. All this changed Dima’s friends, who, experiencing these difficult moments with him, began to appreciate the present more deeply.

The rehabilitation period took long time, but everything went well. The difficult decision he had to make partially saved his leg. Now the prosthesis allows you not only to walk, but also to dance. He again began to do his favorite thing, but now with a special attitude.

After learning the doctors’ decision, I cried for 16 hours, even thought about suicide...” admits Dima Kim. The tragedy happened in early January 2017. Then the guy who worked with many show business artists - Anita Tsoi, the Vintage group - set off to conquer America. One evening, the dancer and his friends went for a walk around Los Angeles. The sun was setting beautifully on the horizon, and he decided to take a couple of pictures against the background of the wall. It took me a long time to choose a good angle, when suddenly a large piece of masonry fell on my leg. His comrades called an ambulance, the guy was quickly taken to one of the best hospitals. Doctors performed an operation, followed by three more, but a few days later gangrene set in and they had to amputate the foot and half of the lower leg.

Unbroken

“I didn’t even want to think about disability,” recalls 31-year-old Dmitry Kim. – Due to nervous shock, the temperature went through the roof, the doctors covered me with ice packs to somehow cool me down. I was helped to get out by my friends, who were on duty in the ward day and night, talking, hoping for the best before and after the procedures... On January 19, three days after the amputation, they celebrated my birthday right in the hospital. I am incredibly grateful to them."

Most of all, Dima was afraid for his mother.

“I didn’t tell her for almost a month,” the hero continues. – The information did not reach the media immediately. When we talked on the phone or Skype, I did my best to hold my voice and face, smile, laugh, although the pain was terrible. Having gathered his strength, he finally decided to make a revelation. I asked my brother to go to Tolyatti, where my relatives now live, and be with my mother. She cried, regretted, but coped. Largely thanks to this, I survived and learned to accept my path in a new way.”

At the age of 17, Dima moved from Almaty to Ivanovo to study at college. During the day he diligently sat in classes, and at night he had a blast on the dance floors of clubs. “Moscow producers noticed me there and offered to move to the capital,” says Dmitry. – Having graduated educational institution in 2000, he did just that. Everything moved at breakneck speed – castings, filming, tours.”

The guy danced in Anita Tsoi’s show for more than a year, then worked in the ballet group “Vintage”, and at the same time starred in advertising. And at the end of 2016, I decided to try my hand at America and went exploring during the winter holidays.

First step

Who knows how everything would have turned out if not for that ill-fated day. However, now, having spent two years in Los Angeles, Dima is truly happy. “When I first stood on my feet two months after the tragedy, there were tears in my eyes,” the dancer recalls. – For the sake of this moment it was worth going through torture, pain, endless bandages... The prosthesis was made at the expense of medical insurance, the simplest, a little uncomfortable. The steps were difficult, but I could not give up. The second, more functional one, was assembled by the whole world. Anita, Lesha Romanov from Vintage, family, friends, fans helped. And six months later he was already moving confidently, even trying to dance. Sometimes I felt very constrained, I did not take off my prosthesis in public, and tried my best to disguise it. But then I accepted the situation, loved myself for who I am, and continue my rehabilitation.”

At first, Dima lived on money donated by caring people. Today he is completely self-sufficient. “After hearing my story, I received commercial offers from several clothing brands. I even became the face of a brand that produces things for people with disabilities“Kim continues. – Of course, I agree to advertising shoots. With friends and constantly coming up with new videos, I don’t refuse to participate in concerts of local dance professionals, I stage numbers, I periodically come to Russia, I was recently a member of the jury of the Cardo Award in Stavropol.” Dima didn’t give up sports either: he starts every morning in the gym.

“Yes, I can’t work out like before, but I try to stay in good shape,” says the dancer. “I gave up alcohol, of course, sometimes I eat junk food, but the main thing is that I don’t neglect my body, I improve it.”

A year after the amputation, Dima tried hiking - this is walking on mountainous area which is not given to everyone healthy people. “I climbed one of the mountains with a magnificent view of Los Angeles,” Kim smiles. – It was incredibly difficult! And recently I also realized a dream - I made a trip across America, which I had dreamed about since childhood.”

Only close friends and family know that behind the smile that never leaves Kim's face lies a difficult struggle. “Of course, there are days when it’s overwhelming and you don’t want anything,” the guy admits. – I am still haunted by phantom pains... The prosthesis often rubs against calluses. But I try to wake up and mentally embrace the world, become the best version myself. Many people ask: “Where does the strength of spirit come from?” Of course, you can choose the position of a victim of circumstances - feeling sorry for yourself, withdrawing. But I preferred a different path. I’m glad that I manage to motivate others – subscribers often ask for advice. So, people, no matter what difficulties you face, never give up!”

Many people in the world have heard about the story of Dima Kim, a dancer originally from Kazakhstan. His leg was amputated in January. And his life changed dramatically. Dima realized that it is easy to be a victim. He could continue to complain about the injustice in life. But is this a way out?! How does Dima live in Los Angeles now with a prosthetic leg? When did my mother find out about his tragedy and how can we help him?

About the tragedy

Until the ninth grade, Dima lived and studied in Almaty, after which he moved to Russia, where he graduated from college in Ivanovo, and then went to work in Moscow. Hoping to get into a good dance group, Dima looked for work in various projects and after a while he was invited to the ballet troupe of singer Anita Tsoi. Then there was work in the Vintage group and tours in America. And at the beginning of 2017, Dima had an accident. He decided to take a photo near a white stone wall in Los Angeles, but suddenly the wall collapsed on his leg.

Dima was urgently taken to the hospital, he underwent four operations. The doctors' verdict was harsh: it was necessary to amputate the left leg.

He cried for 16 hours after this news. His whole life was connected with movement and dancing, how to live now? Six months have passed since then. He didn't break down mentally. At the age of 30, Dima was “reborn” again. I began to openly share my emotions on social networks, write a video blog, walk again with the help of a prosthesis, and even... dance!

Dima was happy to share his news with the site.

About recovery

In mid-April, Dima received an initial prosthesis at the expense of health insurance in the United States. In turn, Dima continues to raise money for a more functional prosthesis that will allow him to be closer to dancing. This can happen no earlier than 4-6 months after he gets used to the first prosthesis.

“I’m very glad that I feel much better now. I started walking and standing on two legs again. I started walking again and feeling like a full-fledged person, albeit with a prosthesis.

When I stood on two legs for the first time after amputation, I could barely hold back my tears. This is an indescribable feeling. God forbid others to go through such a test! Many thanks to everyone who supports me! You are my motivation!"

About the benefit performance and duet with Sophie Manasyan

Even after the operation, Dima did not give up fitness and sports. I trained in the gym, pushing myself as hard as I could.

"I always try to keep myself in shape. No matter what and any circumstances. I love my body, I love myself. And that’s right. Sometimes I have an imbalance with my body. I allow it to get better, lose weight, or sometimes I allow myself spoil your health, but why not?! Especially on weekends. I am human, I can afford weaknesses, but at the same time I work on myself. Working on myself is the most difficult thing, and I love difficulties."

Recently in Los Angeles, Dima's friends organized a charity evening - his benefit performance, where he had a soulful time with friends and even danced.

“And even though we didn’t raise the planned amount of money for the prosthesis, the very atmosphere of the evening really inspired me and gave me more more strength. I danced with other dancers. It was quite a difficult game for me, but I managed it. Better watch my video report!"

Dima's subscribers noticed that he also began posting funny dance videos with a young talented artist and dancer from Kazakhstan. She lives and studies in the USA and, like Dima, is a fan of dancing.

“I met Sophie and her mother on the third day after the amputation of my leg. They wrote me simple and sincere words: “Hi, Dima! We would like to make friends and support you.” We became friends and immediately got along. Sophie is a great girl, “with a spark,” a big hard worker. We decided to record short videos. We are very glad that people like them and lift someone's spirits."

About dreams

"I love dreams very much. This is our second life, where we can do whatever we want. It is important to concentrate in right time understand that this is a dream. In dreams we are creators. Yes, the night before the operation I had four dreams. I don’t remember everything exactly anymore. But in the first dream I felt hot and cold at the same time, as if lava was burning me and I was in an ice bath.

Opening my eyes, I realized that I was covered in ice. The fact is that after I found out about the required amputation of my leg, I was under terrible stress, I cried for 16 hours straight and my body temperature went off scale above normal, the doctors tried to cool me down with ice.

The second and third dreams were very personal, I won’t talk about them. And in the fourth dream I had a clear message: wake up and smile. That's exactly what I did. I pulled myself together from that moment."

About mom

“Like any child, I was afraid of hurting my mother. It would be better for me to suffer than for her. I didn’t tell my mother about what happened. When I was in the hospital and celebrated my birthday without my left leg, I talked to my mother on the phone in this in the spirit: “Mom, I’m celebrating, I’m doing great!” And tears were streaming down my face...

Yes, I was afraid to tell my mother about everything. Only after about a month, when my emotions had calmed down a little, I decided to do it. My brother went to her in Togliatti to be there when I told her about this. I called them on Skype and calmly told them everything. At the same time, I sincerely smiled and said that everything was fine, nothing hurt me. Yes, my leg was cut off and that I am waiting for a prosthesis. Although at that moment I was in terrible pain.

Of course, mom cried. But she is strong for me. And I'm apparently into it. Now she's already making fun of me. "Don't you need skates?" - my mother asks me ironically. If it fell apart, it would have a bad effect on me too. And I decided to live positively. Under no circumstances will you hear a disabled person’s oath from me!”

About life in Los Angeles and strength of spirit

“I’m lucky. I have a lot of friends. Now I live in Los Angeles, in one of the most expensive cities in the world. I live on funds that caring people, friends, relatives, subscribers transfer to me. I won’t hide the fact that I’m saving on something , because in addition to daily expenses, I’m saving for a new prosthesis.

Yes, there are a lot of me. If I was reserved as a teenager, now I am very sociable.

Where does my strength of spirit come from? I think I chose the right message. It's easy enough to be a victim. I could cry every day, complain to everyone, they would console me. But I said to myself: “Dima, let’s try. I have to become a hero, at least for myself.” This was my rebirth. People reached out to me. Many people write asking for advice and support. Especially those who have been injured. They thank me for giving them a new meaning to life.

People saw me as a motivator. And I want to share emotions and information with people, I respond to my subscribers, I want to give lectures and get to know people even more. Thanks to people's support, I am getting stronger every day. No amount of money can buy a state of mind!”

Editorial Comode . kz I sincerely wish Dima a speedy recovery! For those who want to help our compatriot financially, we are publishing details for raising funds for a new (more functional) leg prosthesis for Dmitry Kim:

For the Russian Federation:

Sberbank card: 4817 7600 4461 2715

(Sadykova Natalya Vasilievna - mother)

Card account: 408.178.102.5440.2222876

BIC: 043601607

INN: 7707083893

For the Republic of Kazakhstan:

Sberbank card: 5355 4100 0033 5597 (Kim Vitaly Anatolyevich - brother)

Card account: KZ37914CP39825497412

BIC: 930740000137

Dmitry Kim lost his left leg at the knee in Los Angeles three days before his 30th birthday.

The accident cut short the career of the talented dancer Dmitry Kim, who, in particular, danced in the ballet of singer Anita Tsoi and the Vintage group. His fatal attempt was to take a selfie in Los Angeles, which ultimately ended in the amputation of his left leg.

An accident occurred with a native of Almaty during the New Year holidays in the Californian metropolis. He decided to take a couple of shots near the white stone wall in the rays of the setting sun. While Dmitry was choosing the best angle, part of the fence collapsed on his leg.

The victim was urgently taken to one of the best clinics in the city, where his broken leg was set. However, this did not help: doctors were unable to save the soft tissue, as a result of which blood poisoning began. In total, Kim underwent four operations, as a result of which his leg was amputated at the knee.

And this happened three days before his 30th birthday. Now the dancer’s friends are raising money for rehabilitation and a prosthesis, thanks to which he will be able to move and perhaps even dance, Life reports.

Dmitry remembers with pain the day when doctors told him about the need for amputation.

“I had thoughts of suicide,” he admitted. - I felt very scared. I cried for 16 hours straight and didn't want to come to real life disabled. I went through terrible torment. Only close friends from America knew about this, I didn’t even tell my mother right away. But now I have pulled myself together and appreciate every moment, every day given to me.

According to Kim, “you have to fight even when it seems that everything is over!”

You can bury yourself now, or you can be reborn again, the dancer believes. - With small but confident steps I am walking towards new life! So in a couple of months we'll dance!

Dmitry's whole life was connected with the stage: the young man always made money by dancing. As a child, his grandmother could not tear him away from watching dance programs: the boy, as if enchanted, repeated the movements he saw on the screen for hours. It was then that the dream appeared - to become a famous dancer.

At the age of 17, Kim moved from his hometown to Ivanovo. One day, in one of the trendy nightclubs, he was noticed on the dance floor and was immediately offered a job. Then he moved to Moscow, where he first joined the dance team of Coca-Cola, the sponsor of the Olympic torch relay in 2014.

30-year-old Dima Kim is a famous Russian dancer who now lives in Los Angeles. He flew to California in search of freedom of expression, full of plans and hopes, he believed that in new country will start a new life and will definitely achieve success. But a terrible tragedy almost put an end to all his dreams...

Dima began building his career at the age of 17, moving from his native Almaty to Ivanovo. Then the guy moved to Moscow. There he had the chance to take a place in Anita Tsoi's ballet. Out of 120 applicants, only three were chosen, one of which was Dmitry Kim. He was called the singer's favorite dancer. After working with Anita for a year, the young man decided to change the situation and got a job in the ballet group “Vintage”, and then planned new goal- career in America.

An accident happened to Dmitry on New Year's holidays in Los Angeles, when he wanted to take a selfie. Dima went for a walk with a friend, stopped to take a photo near a nice wall, put his hand on it and... The wall collapsed, crushing the dancer’s leg. He underwent four operations: first it was about the amputation of his fingers, then about the amputation of his foot and even his leg up to the thigh. On January 16, Dima’s leg was cut off just below the knee. In his monologue, the dancer talks about how not to give up and go towards your goal at all costs. Next - from the first person.

I danced with early childhood, but never specifically studied this. I have no choreographic education - my teachers were videotapes and clips on the MTV channel. I grew up in Almaty and, after graduating from school, I realized that what I had suddenly wasn’t enough. Then I decided to move to Russia and somehow miraculously ended up in the city of Ivanovo, where I went to college. In Ivanovo, I started dancing at the Coliseum - it was the coolest club then. At the age of 17, I became a senior dancer in this club, recruited a team, coached and trained dancers. In Ivanovo I was a little star, and it was cool.

But even these frameworks quickly became too small for me, and I decided to leave for Moscow, which seemed incredible and incomprehensible to me. Over time, I also headed Moscow luxury clubs - I worked in the most popular club in Moscow in the coolest show, and for two years in a row I won awards at the Russian club industry competition as the best choreographer and performer. Afterwards I worked in the team of Anita Tsoi, the Vintage group, and Yegor Creed. As you already understand, this was not enough for me, and so I left for the States.

Why did I go to America? Honestly, I can’t live either in Russia or in Kazakhstan. I love these countries, but they are not for me. People here have a lot of stereotypes and stupid rules that I don’t like. As a dancer, I wanted to take it to another level. And I had a three-week vacation from Vintage, and I flew to Los Angeles to see what this city was like. Then he stayed there for another month, and after that he said that he would not return.

Here a situation happened to me that slowed down my development for some time. But this in no way prevents me from living on and striving for my goal. When the wall fell on me, it was really psychologically difficult, I needed to muster all my will and faith in myself.

Did I feel like my life was ruined when I found out about the amputation? Yes, sure. I even had thoughts of suicide. It was very difficult, very scary. A prosthesis is not just “put it on and run”, the prosthesis rubs the leg, it swells, hurts, and shoots.At night you need to jump on one leg to go to the toilet or have a tank next to you - it’s up to you to choose what.On the day of the operation, I told myself: “I can bury myself now or I can be born again,” and I chose the second option.

I underwent all my surgeries in the most expensive hospital in Los Angeles - Britney Spears and Cameron Diaz gave birth there. I was able to get there because the incident occurred near this hospital, and it was from there that the ambulance arrived. The Americans are great, they did everything cool, because I had neither money nor insurance.I was accepted and treated, and the government paid the millions in bills.

They made me a prosthesis, it is functional, excellent, and I can walk with it. Such a prosthesis costs 12 thousand euros. But I can't dance with him. A prosthesis for dancing costs from 30 thousand euros and more. I also need prosthetics for running, for swimming - they’re like sneakers, only very expensive. And I need a lot of them throughout my life, because I live an active life. Everything will happen, you just need to try and save some money.

I used to just live and not appreciate simple moments. Now I understand how important our feet are. This is a wonderful phenomenon, a gift from God or the Universe, I don’t know what to call it.And when one leg is missing, it is very difficult. So you look at your legs, and one is there, but the other is not - it’s psychologically very painful. But life doesn’t end there, you need to think more positively and be happy that you are alive and everything is basically fine with you. I will try to make myself better and better without showing my pain.

I don’t live some kind of dream, I live here and now, I don’t have any grandiose plans. I know that I will dance, the stage is a thrill for me. The fact that I have one leg and not two will in no way stop me.

Every day I fight and get stronger. I started going to the gym to get back in shape - my left leg lags behind my right, it dries out very much, and it doesn’t have enough load. But I can’t put any weight on it now, because my leg still hurts where my foot was cut off.

I am very grateful to my friends and subscribers for their support. They write to me every day, I keep in touch with everyone, I answer everyone. I have 35 thousand followers, and I talk to everyone, give recommendations to those who are very bad, who are in similar situations. I try to support them psychologically. In general, just being human.