Overland Park mom supports Marine son through massive recovery, says she needs help to the pay bills

OVERLAND PARK, Kan. - Larisa Shenker has documented almost every moment of her son's recovery through pictures. Corporal Yevgeniy Shenker was serving in Afghanistan one year ago when he was injured by an IED.

Shenker explained, “It was the hardest part in my life."

Yevgeniy, or Yev, lost his left leg and has undergone more than twenty surgeries. Through it all, his mother has been by his side.

Shenker said, “The last time I was in Kansas was September."

She travels back to Overland Park every month or so to check in on her 80 year old mother. However, she can only count about 30 days in the last year that she’s been in Kansas.

Because of her deep-seeded need to be by her son’s side, Shenker took a leave of absence from her assistant managerial job at Taco Bueno in Olathe.

That leave started almost twelve months ago.

Now, Shenker's savings are running out and she worries Saturday’s trip to see her wounded Marine may be the last.

She said, “I just want to make sure I see the last surgery. I started this job and I have to finish it."

Sometime this month or next, Yev should have his last surgery.

NBC Action News Reporter Beth Vaughn spoke with Yev over the phone Friday.

With gratitude in his voice, he said, “Yea, it's nice to have her around. She helps out a lot."

Yev went on to describe his every day activities in San Diego. He explained, ‘I get my liner on. Get my leg on. Get in the car, put the wheel chair in there.”

Once he gets to the hospital, recovery is a full time job. Every day, he spends time in physical and occupational therapies as well as time learning to walk with a prosthetic leg.

Yev is optimistic about his recovery. Plus, he's a newlywed, planning a big wedding for next December.

Through injury, recover and marriage, Yev still has Kansas on the brain.

He said, “I want to go home. I haven't been home since went [was deployed]."

That's why Shenker can't bare the thought of defaulting on her mortgage

She explained, “I want him walking at home, at the home where he grew up, where he knew this was home."

She has reached out to a number of organizations in Kansas, plus local and state politicians but still has not found any financial relief.