We are thrilled to announce a new partnership and introduce our partners, the Nesemos Fund Charity Foundation.

 

On January 23, Kyiv hosted an open meeting organized by the Nesemos Fund, where a practical manual for male and female veterans who have undergone amputations or prosthetics was presented. At the beginning of the meeting, our colleagues shared their journey—from the very first car to the establishment of a large-scale Veteran Auto-Hub. They spoke about the first vehicle adapted for veteran Maksym and the new opportunities they are creating for veterans with amputations.

The main goal of the manual is to ensure that defenders do not have to face technical and bureaucratic hurdles alone after an injury. As the developers noted, for veterans, a car is often more than just a matter of comfort; it is a critical tool for regaining independence, the ability to work, and full participation in community life.

The guide serves as a “working notebook” covering all stages of returning to the driver’s seat:

• Technical Solutions: A description of adaptation options for various types of amputations—ranging from pedal extensions and manual controls (“gas-brake”) to complex electronic “drive-by-wire” systems for individuals with upper limb loss.

• The Legal Path: A step-by-step guide on how to notify the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) Service Center regarding changes in health status, undergo a medical examination, and exchange a driver’s license.

• Legalization and Insurance: An algorithm for obtaining a conversion permit, passing certification, and the specifics of insuring an adapted vehicle.

• Training: Information on “Barrier-Free Driving Schools,” where veterans with disabilities can receive training free of charge.

 

Special attention in the manual is given to compensation programs. Specifically, it details state aid of up to UAH 70,000, as well as municipal initiatives. For instance, in Kyiv, veterans with Group I or II disabilities can receive up to UAH 100,000 in compensation for vehicle adaptation, while in Vinnytsia, a payment program of up to UAH 35,000 is available. The guide also outlines opportunities for obtaining grants to start transport-related businesses through the Ukrainian Veteran Foundation and the “eRobota” program.

How to get the manual?

As participants in the presentation, Nataliia Kratiuk (Project Manager of “Peer-to-Peer: Support for Veterans with Amputations”) and Larysa Pokalchuk (Communications Manager for the same project) received printed copies and discussed the real-world experience of vehicle adaptation “without filters.”

For those unable to attend the event, the digital version of the manual is already available via this link: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WnVbYpfmSUynPfMi9eSwPXLnFWDiOECg/view?usp=sharing 

The foundation’s team also emphasized that their specialists are ready to provide free consultations to veterans to help them navigate the entire journey—from the initial idea to hitting the road.

The “Mobility Without Limits” project was implemented with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation, through which we first connected—thank you!

We are launching a series of publications detailing the results of our work within the “Peer-to-Peer: Supporting Veterans with Amputations” project. It has been a year of challenges, sincere conversations, and tangible assistance.

Part One: Official Launch and Donor Support

The pinnacle of our activities was a large-scale press conference held at the Ukrinform media center, titled “Life After Amputation: From Motivational Slogans to Practical Solutions.”

The event was opened by Ms. Olha Halchenko, Manager of the “Civil Resilience” program at our strategic partner — the International Renaissance Foundation.

“Our primary focus is to strengthen the network of veteran initiatives and to create a robust support environment for our heroes and their families,” Ms. Olha noted during her opening remarks.

Key Announcement for Veteran Organizations: The demand for high-quality engagement with veterans is increasing daily. Consequently, Ms. Olha shared some vital news: a new stage of the “Trymaiemo Strii” (Hold the Line) competition will launch in the spring of 2026.

This will be an opportunity for veteran-led projects to receive institutional support, bolster their organizations, and develop new initiatives. Stay tuned for updates on the International Renaissance Foundation website!

We sincerely thank our partners for their trust and the opportunity to collectively build a system where every veteran feels the support of a peer.

To be continued…

In upcoming posts, we will discuss the project’s unique workshops and the pivotal role of Oleksandr Tereshchenko in helping fellow brothers-in-arms return to an active life.

 

On November 28, 2025, a large-scale conference titled “The Importance of Peer Support in Promoting the Independence of People with Physical Impairments and Injuries” was held in Kyiv. Organized by the WHO Country Office in Ukraine with financial support from the European Union, the event focused on the integration of veteran experience and grassroots initiatives into the state healthcare system. Our team participated in the conference proceedings.

The necessity of involving veteran organizations in the rehabilitation process is driven by critical statistics: as of early 2025, the number of injuries among service members is estimated at 390,000, with the number of amputation surgeries reaching the 100,000 mark. Given the acute shortage of specialized medical personnel, the “peer-to-peer” support model becomes critically important for the adaptation of individuals with severe injuries. As the organizers emphasized, the involvement of experienced veterans in the recovery process of their fellow service members aligns with Article 26 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, which mandates the state to promote maximum independence for its citizens.

 

Oleksandr Tereshchenko was a participant in the specialized panel “Peer Support for Health Equity: Best Practices and Lessons Learned in Ukraine.” He presented the Foundation’s practical developments, focusing on two strategic areas:

1. Development of Patient Communities: Discussing the role of mutual support as a tool for building internal recovery resources and overcoming psychological barriers following amputations.

2. Overcoming Rehabilitation Challenges: Analyzing existing obstacles within the healthcare system and proposing solutions through the involvement of individuals with “lived experience” of trauma as experts.

The discussion featured leading sector partners — Vitaliy Pcholkin (Active Rehabilitation Group), Liubov Galan (NGO “Pryncyp”), and Marla Quinn, WHO Rehabilitation Lead. The collaborative work of these organizations highlighted a transition from fragmented volunteer initiatives toward the formation of a professional peer-to-peer support community in Ukraine.

 

Following the discussions, Foundation representatives, along with international experts (including Sue Eitel and ENIL specialists), contributed to the development of recommendations for the standardization of such services.

The primary outcomes for the sector included agreements on:

• The inclusion of the mutual support model into national healthcare policy;

• Strengthening intersectoral cooperation between veteran foundations, the state, and the WHO;

• Creating a platform to disseminate successful rehabilitation cases across all regions of Ukraine.

This event demonstrated that the expertise of the Oleksandr Tereshchenko Foundation and similar organizations serves as the foundation for a person-centered rehabilitation system, where the experience of overcoming trauma becomes a tool for the recovery of others.

We are opening the doors to the classroom of future occupational therapists at the Ivano-Frankivsk National Medical University. A special meeting took place at the Department of Physical Therapy and Occupational Therapy, one that forces a person to rethink their own “impossibles.”

Our lead trainer, veteran, and man of steel will, Oleksandr Tereshchenko, conducted a practical master class within the project “Peer-to-Peer: Support for Veterans with Amputations.”

Oleksandr shared his own story of adaptation after severe injuries with sincerity and his characteristic humor. He spoke candidly to the students about his journey: from the initial fears regarding the reactions of others to a “hook” instead of a hand — to the confident use of the modern, high-tech Michelangelo prosthesis.

We are convinced: the quality education of future rehabilitation specialists is the foundation for the dignified return of our defenders to an active life. That is why our Foundation shares practical experience where new personnel are currently being forged.

Such master classes provide students with what cannot be found in textbooks: an understanding of the psychology of a patient with an amputation, and the practical aspects of using modern prosthetics. Most importantly — an understanding of the role of the occupational therapist as a guide to independence.

The initiative is implemented with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation.

We remember this warm meeting with inspiration and continue to work for the sake of change!