The project aims to develop and scale up the peer-to-peer approach by expanding the geographic reach of its activities, training new instructors from among veterans with amputations, and strengthening cooperation with rehabilitation facilities.
The uniqueness of the project lies in the implementation of components related to self-reliance in daily life, which are not currently covered by the national educational standards for training “peer-to-peer” specialists. Our experience allows us to transform these practical approaches into a comprehensive methodological framework for mentors’ work.
Veterans with limb amputations who are undergoing rehabilitation or prosthetic fitting; family members of male and female veterans; specialists in physical and rehabilitative medicine, occupational therapy, and prosthetics; as well as students majoring in these fields.
The full-scale war in Ukraine has led to a significant increase in the number of veterans with limb amputations who require not only medical and physical rehabilitation but also a long-term process of adapting to daily life, mastering new daily living skills, and resuming social engagement and professional fulfillment. Despite the development of the rehabilitation support system, many veterans face a lack of practical experience in self-care, using prosthetics, managing daily life, and returning to an independent lifestyle.
Experience from the previous phase of the “Peer-to-Peer: Support for Veterans with Amputations” project has shown that one of the most effective forms of support is the peer-to-peer approach, in which veterans who have already gone through the adaptation process share their practical experience with those who are currently undergoing rehabilitation. This approach complements medical rehabilitation, boosts patients’ motivation, and helps them form a realistic picture of life after amputation.
The project involves recruiting coaches with amputations who have successfully adapted to life after their injuries. Before they begin their work, they will undergo a brief training program that will cover techniques for conducting workshops, the specifics of working with groups, and a discussion of common questions veterans have during rehabilitation. After each event, the team will conduct an internal debriefing to take all nuances into account and improve the quality of future sessions.
During the workshops, participants will receive practical guidance on: Independence in daily life; Using prosthetics and managing daily life; Travel and mobility; Returning to work; and Working with the rehabilitation team.
The events will feature video materials from the “ I did - so can YOU” project, which provide detailed advice on performing basic daily activities after an amputation.
A separate component of the project will involve conducting a survey of representatives (specialists, department heads) at rehabilitation centers, which will help identify the need for peer mentors and compile a list of the competencies most in demand when working with veterans who have undergone amputations.
The survey results will be used to develop recommendations for the further development of peer-to-peer support within the rehabilitation system.
Project partners:
