Solutions from Ukraine: Mykolaiv veteran shares video offering advice to amputation survivors
Photo: Oleksandr Tereshchenko's archive
Oleksandr Tereshchenko, a veteran from Mykolaiv who lost his arms while defending his country, has collaborated with like-minded individuals to produce 14 video tips for the "I Did So Can You!" project. These videos provide guidance for individuals who have undergone limb amputations, focusing on managing daily self-care tasks independently without arms or legs.
Ukrinform reports this.
What is the problem?
Currently, many individuals with arm or leg amputations find themselves in need of support, with the majority being young or middle-aged people who aim to return to an active lifestyle. However, they often lack basic self-care skills, resulting in staying home and not venturing outside.
What is the solution?
As a graduate of the Open World Congress program, veteran from Mykolaiv Oleksandr Tereshchenko applied to the US Embassy in Ukraine and received a grant to implement the project "I Did So Can You!" which aimed at the social adaptation of people with limb amputations. The grant provided for the production of 12 films with video tips on various everyday topics and 12 podcasts on social adaptation.
These videos provide step-by-step guidance from veterans with amputated limbs on how to carry out everyday tasks independently. For example, they demonstrate how to:
- dress oneself,
- prepare meals,
- and adequately equip a bathroom to use it without assistance—all without using hands.
"As part of the project, we shot 14 video tips (clips). Among them: "How to make the bed", "How to brush your teeth", "How to shave", "How to cope in the toilet", "How to wash yourself in the shower", "How to put eye drops", "How to make coffee without a prosthesis", "How to make breakfast with a prosthesis", "How to drive a car without hands" and several others," Tereshchenko says.
How does it work?
According to him, nine clips were made within the framework of a grant funded by the US Embassy (there were supposed to be 12 in total), and five more were made under partnership terms.
In nearly all the clips, Oleksandr appears on screen himself, as he uniquely understands the importance of managing independently for individuals without limbs.
At the moment, there are eight video tips on the project's YouTube channel.
"We are gradually uploading the remaining ones once every two weeks to maintain the audience's interest. We have also produced six electronic guides to the 12 videos provided by the grant.
In addition, we managed to record three podcasts on social adaptation after serious injuries," the veteran added.
It is worth noting that the US Embassy funded the "I Did So Can You!" the US currently discontinued along with other essential veteran projects. Still, Tereshchenko and his team are not giving up and hope for continued support.
"Currently, we are trying to submit applications to Ukrainian and European grantmakers. It's not even about money.
First of all, this concerns the distribution of already produced content so that more people who may find it helpful can learn about this project," Tereshchenko added.
For reference:
The Human Rights Center for Military Personnel "Pryntsyp" also conducted a study to systematize and assess the main difficulties faced by relatives of seriously injured veterans.
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