It will soon be 9 years since my country holds a defensive fight for independence against brutal invasion. A year of which this is real hell. We have yet to realize the extent of the destruction caused by the occupiers. And if the destruction of critical infrastructure, housing, schools, and hospitals can be measured in terms of money, then how can we evaluate the crippled destinies of people? However, we must rise from the ashes and learn to live after the war. That is how we named the direction of the fund’s activities for the rehabilitation of veterans who received serious injuries while defending Ukraine – “Life after the war”. I myself have gone through this path and am convinced that life does not end after the war.

The first project of this direction will be the rehabilitation of war veterans who lost their sight while defending Ukraine, aimed primarily at their return to a full-fledged, independent, active life.

Currently, the number of people who have completely lost their sight and with whom we communicate already reaches more than 40 people. Unfortunately, the war continues and this number is not final.

The first level of the program is an 18-day, intensive course of primary rehabilitation with a large number of individual classes, for 8 veterans who have lost their sight and 8 family members who constantly accompany them. 15 experienced trainers, the vast majority of whom have partial or complete sight loss on a peer-to-peer basis, during the first 12 days, will conduct classes on social and everyday orientation, spatial orientation, physical culture and sports rehabilitation, social adaptation and professional orientation. The purpose of the second 6-day stage, which will be held in the city of Rivne, is to practice practical classes on orientation and mobility close to real life. A combination of cane and smartphone practice with various mobile navigation applications. Study of the city’s infrastructure, pedestrian crossings, regulated and non-regulated intersections, traffic lights with and without sound output, public transport, its independent use and with an accompanying person. Formation of skills and abilities to use public places, shops, pharmacies, shopping and entertainment centers, coffee shops, etc. Acquaintance with the possibilities of the modern regional library, a computer class with screen access programs for the blind, voiced books in various formats, films with audio description and their viewing, familiarization with writing aids, relief drawings, maps, three-dimensional paintings, models of castles , board games, etc. Cultural and creative development of individuals using walking, bus and audio tours.

The partners of the project are the All-Ukrainian League of Blind and Visually Impaired Organizations “Contemporary view”