Our meetings with veterans with amputations are always held in an informal and friendly atmosphere. This was also the case at Khutorivka in Lviv. While the administration of the rehabilitation center was hosting a foreign delegation, our veteran trainers with amputations were helping newcomers with recent injuries prepare for prosthetics.

The meeting began in the sports hall, where exercise machines were moved to the sides, and our mobile “cinema” was quickly set up to screen the video tips “I Did It – and So Can You.” The hall was packed, so after introductions and a short presentation of the project “Peer-to-Peer: Supporting Veterans with Amputations,” participants moved to another location — the occupational therapists’ office.

There, Oleksandr Shvetsov and Yevhen Tyurin worked with veterans who had lower-limb amputations, explaining the different features of leg prosthetics and showing their own. Meanwhile, Oleksandr Tereshchenko unpacked his backpack full of useful items and shared life hacks for living without arms. After the veterans asked their questions and filled out questionnaires, the occupational therapists continued professional discussions with Oleksandr, and physiotherapist Dmytro kept him engaged for another hour.

With each new meeting, we are increasingly convinced of the urgent need for direct, practical communication between veterans with amputations who already have experience living with prosthetics and those who are only preparing for this stage. After all, no one understands better than a peer who has already walked this path — peer-to-peer, about what truly matters.

The project is implemented with the support of
The International Renaissance Foundation

Project partners

• The Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities
• Docua-platform
• New Donbas
• Public Union “Modern View”
• The National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine
• The Coalition of Veteran Spaces

On October 17, 2025, a meeting was held at the Halychyna Comprehensive Rehabilitation Center in Velykyi Liubin, Lviv region, as part of the project “Peer-to-Peer: Supporting Veterans with Amputations.” This event was the third in a series of meetings organized to support veterans undergoing rehabilitation after amputations.

The project’s mentors, veterans Oleksandr Tereshchenko (bilateral arm amputation) and Yevhen Tyurin (high leg amputation), shared their personal experiences of overcoming life’s challenges. Oleksandr, who has professional experience at the Police Academy and the Ministry of Veterans Affairs, and Yevhen, a participant in the international Invictus Games, demonstrated that an active and fulfilling life after amputation is possible.

The meeting began with a screening of the video “I Did It – and So Can You,” which offered practical advice for everyday life without limbs. Participants saw how to perform household tasks such as brushing teeth or making a bed, even in the absence of limbs.

Afterward, the veterans split into two groups. Yevhen Tyurin led a workshop for those preparing for leg prosthetics, demonstrating proper walking techniques and emphasizing the importance of training. Oleksandr Tereshchenko worked with veterans with arm amputations, teaching them how to perform daily tasks without prosthetics.

The event format included live communication, practical exercises, and experience sharing. Participants actively asked questions, shared their stories, and received useful recommendations. To support further analysis and the development of methodological materials, a participant survey was conducted, and the meeting was recorded on video.

Project manager Natalka Kratyuk presented a collection of original practical tips “I Did It – and So Can You” along with a handbook on obtaining rehabilitation aids through the state program. These materials were handed over to the Rehabilitation Center for further use.

The meeting concluded in a warm atmosphere, thanks to Oleksandr Tereshchenko’s characteristic sense of humor. As a symbol of brotherhood and recognition, he presented Yevhen Tyurin with the Foundation’s signature coin.

The project is implemented with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation and partner organizations: the Fund for Social Protection of Persons with Disabilities, Docua-platform, New Donbas, the Public Union “Modern View,” the National Assembly of People with Disabilities of Ukraine, and the Coalition of Veteran Spaces.