Already traditionally, May has become a time of joint work for the NGO “Friends of Chervonohrad” (USA), the NGO “Communities of Self-Help,” and the wellness complex “Trembita” in Velyatino. And it is impossible to single out what is more important – the persistence of American volunteers Maria Martynenko and Robert Hedou, the knowledge and skills of Vitaliy Kharechko, head of Communities of Self-Help, or the tireless creativity of Kateryna Shtefutsa, director of “Trembita.” This year, the team was joined by the head of a charitable foundation and leader of the hook brothers, Oleksandr Tereshchenko, who has lived a full life for more than eleven years after a double arm amputation and became a mentor for veterans. Together with his colleagues, he helped eight families of veterans go through two seven‑day sessions, moving from the fear of helplessness to the feeling of personal strength and self‑reliance.

The program was designed so that each day combined practical occupational therapy sessions with group therapy. Veterans learned basic but critically important everyday skills – from hygiene and dressing to cooking and using a phone. These exercises were conducted in the format of practicums, where Oleksandr Tereshchenko and Robert Hedou demonstrated how to adapt movements, use special devices, or even make them independently. An important stage was the “unpacking” of a backpack for independent travel – both a symbolic and practical exercise showing that even after amputation, one can plan trips, organize daily life, and remain mobile. The culmination of the practical sessions was cooking bograch over an open fire – a shared culinary event that united veterans and their families in joy and community.

At the same time, support groups were actively working. Licensed psychotherapist from the USA Maria Martynenko conducted intensive sessions for veterans and their families. She helped participants address issues of anger, loss, emotional distance, and restoring family connections after the front. Her experience with anxiety, depression, and trauma, as well as her long practice in Ukraine, made it possible to create a safe space where everyone could express their feelings and receive support. For families, this was equally important, as they learned to understand veterans’ new needs, overcome fears, and build communication in radically changed circumstances.

Legal consultations by Olena Sydoruk complemented the program, giving participants knowledge about rights, prosthetic opportunities, and social support. This allowed veterans and their families to feel confident that they were not left alone with their problems but had tools to protect their interests. Importantly, the training was not only about individual self‑reliance but also about creating support groups. Participants gained knowledge and practical experience on how to form such groups, build trust, work with emotional challenges, and ensure resources for the organizers themselves.

Seven days in Velyatino became a school of life for veterans and their families. They not only practiced everyday skills but also learned to accept themselves in new conditions, find strength in community and support. Each day was filled with practice and reflection, and the conclusion was a joint feedback session where participants shared what had become most valuable for them. For some, it was confidence that they could cook independently; for others – the feeling that their family was once again close and ready to support; for others still – new friends and a community that understands.

Thus, the work of veteran groups with upper limb amputations in the program “You Are Not Alone. Support Is Near” became an example of how combining practical skills and psychological support can change lives. This is not just a training – it is a model of recovery that shows that even in the most difficult circumstances, a person can find a path to independence and dignity. And thanks to the joint efforts of Ukrainian and American partners, the experience of veterans, and the professionalism of trainers, these families received a chance for a new beginning.

Traditionally, May in Velyatino ends with words of gratitude – to those who organized, who taught, who supported, and who had the courage to walk this path. Because every such program is not only about veterans but also about society learning to be strong, compassionate, and ready for change.