During the final press conference, “Life After Amputations: From Motivational Slogans to Practical Solutions,” project lead Natalia Kratiuk presented the results of an initiative implemented by the Oleksandr Tereshchenko Charity Foundation with support from the International Renaissance Foundation. Ms. Kratiuk’s presentation outlined a transition from abstract psychological support to a concrete, pragmatic strategy for the social adaptation of veterans.

Pragmatism vs. “Motivational Motivation”

A key message from Natalia Kratiuk was a conscious departure from what she termed “motivational motivation.” Instead of general slogans, the project focused on purely applied tasks that help veterans with amputations overcome daily household challenges. According to the project leader, the ability to manage one’s own daily life independently is the fundamental cornerstone of genuine social adaptation.

The project is built on the “peer-to-peer” principle, where experience is shared by veterans who have already successfully navigated the path of rehabilitation and prosthetics, most notably lead trainer Oleksandr Tereshchenko.

Scale and Geography of the Initiative

Natalia Kratiuk highlighted the high demand for this format of interaction: instead of the planned 10 practical workshops, 13 were actually conducted. The work was carried out in a highly flexible mode—a “mobile cinema” for demonstrating video tips was deployed directly in hospital corridors, canteens, gyms, and prosthetic enterprises.

The project’s geography covered key rehabilitation and medical centers across the country:

  • Kyiv and Region: “Tsybli” All-Ukrainian Center, “Titanium” Cultural Center.
  • Lviv and Region: “Halychyna” Center for Complex Rehabilitation (Lviv and Velykyi Liubin).
  • Dnipro: City Clinical Hospital №4 (Recovery Center) and the Dnipro Experimental Prosthetic and Orthopedic Enterprise.
  • Ivano-Frankivsk: “Mriya-Diya” Veteran Space at the Regional Hospital and the relocated “Donbas” Center.
  • Odesa: Veterans Hub Odesa.

 

Reach and the Scientific-Educational Component

The project demonstrated a systemic approach by working simultaneously with three target audiences:

  1. Veterans and their families: Approximately 150 individuals received direct support and practical life hacks.
  2. Practicing professionals: Around 90 occupational and physical therapists were involved in the exchange of experience.
  3. Future specialists: Over 350 students and faculty members from specialized universities (specifically in Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv, Dnipro, and Odesa) attended lectures and workshops.

Kratiuk noted that working with students is an investment in the future of Ukraine’s rehabilitation system.

 

Analytical Foundation and Intellectual Products

A vital part of the presentation was the description of the surveying conducted by the project team. Based on 139 collected questionnaires (87 from veterans/professionals and 52 from students), a deep understanding of the target audience’s needs was formed.

This analysis resulted in two specific tools:

  • Self-Reliance Guide: A methodical manual containing answers to 83 practical questions regarding self-care.
  • Independence Quest: An interactive game (based on Google Forms) that allows users to test their domestic adaptation skills in a “hero’s journey” format.

Future Strategy: The School of Trainers

Concluding her speech, Natalia Kratiuk emphasized that the project is only formally coming to an end. The primary plan for the future is the creation of a “School of Trainers.” This will allow for the scaling of experience and the training of new peer mentors with various types of amputations, who can professionally provide support based on the “peer-to-peer” principle nationwide.

The project leader also voiced recommendations for state authorities regarding the integration of such approaches into the official rehabilitation system and the inclusion of peer mentors in multidisciplinary teams.