John Cena visits Ukrainian teen with down syndrome who fled from war

Published

3 years ago

June 9, 2022

John Cena visits Ukrainian teen with down syndrome who fled from war — Photo Credit: WWE

John Cena visited 19-year-old Misha Rohozhyn, a Ukrainian fan with Down syndrome who fled the war.
The teen was upset that Cena, his hero, was not there when their journey ended in the Netherlands like her mom told him as motivation.
Cena gifted Misha several memorabilia, presented a WWE belt, and did his signature “You can’t see me” gesture with him.

WWE superstar John Cena made a Ukrainian teen’s day when he visited 19-year-old Misha Rohozhyn, a fan with Down syndrome who drew inspiration from his favorite wrestler while he and his family fled from the war.

Misha and his family fled from Mariupol in March. His mother, Liana, said she tried to give her son the courage to make the journey by telling him that his hero would greet them when they complete their journey.

Misha, who had posters of Cena in their apartment in Mariupol, was upset that Cena was not there when they finally arrived in the Netherlands in May.

Cena was touched by Misha’s story, which was featured in a Wall Street Journal article that discussed the impact of the war on people with disabilities.

The wrestling star turned Hollywood action hero decided to make the visit. He said that he luckily had three days off from work and was just an hour away by air. And so, he traveled to Huizen, Netherlands, where Misha and his relatives have sought refuge.

Cena wanted to spend “an afternoon building blocks, eating cake — that’s a special afternoon when it comes to new friends I was able to meet.”

Cena told Misha, “Very nice to meet you, I’ve come a long way to see you,” as he gave him and his mother a hug.

He presented Misha with a WWE belt and gifted him several memorabilia, such as a shirt, a cap, and an action figure.

“Misha’s ability to embrace persistence is extraordinary, those words, never give up … they’re very powerful. I think Misha’s a great example and Misha’s mom, there’s two great examples about how persistence can lead to joy, even through the toughest of times,” Cena later said.