A seven-day practical retreat for veterans with double upper limb amputations and their loved ones.
Two sessions are planned: May 16, 2026 – May 22, 2026 and May 23, 2026 – May 29, 2026
Each session will accommodate up to 5 veterans and one family member each.
Participants, together with mentor Oleksandr Tereshchenko—who has over 11 years of experience living a full life after a double arm amputation—will practice daily living skills: hygiene, dressing, eating and cooking, using a phone, organizing daily life, and useful apps, as well as “packing” a backpack for independent travel
All skills are practiced in two formats:
👉 with prostheses
👉 without prostheses
The second half of the workday will be dedicated to training in leading support groups and group psychotherapy, where participants can openly discuss topics that are usually kept silent. The support groups will be led by Maria Martinenko, LPC, a licensed psychotherapist (USA, New Jersey) with 34 years of experience. She specializes in working with anxiety, depression, and trauma.
Retreat participants will be able to get answers to legal questions from attorney Olena Sydoruk, the wife of a fallen soldier, who specializes in military law.
The retreat will take place at the “Trembita” sanatorium (Velyatino village, Zakarpattia)—a peaceful place where you can focus on what matters most.
IMPORTANT!!!
This is not a vacation—it’s about learning to live independently.
Here, we don’t just observe—we try things out and learn through practice.
Participation requires: a willingness to try things on your own, a willingness to step out of your comfort zone, and to attend all sessions.
Participation is free. Travel to Khust is at your own expense. This is one indicator of motivation for independence.
Register - https://forms.gle/NDhBWHHXcnc9hVGF7 (selection is based on the application form)
We will notify you of the selection results via the email address provided in the application form,for questions and clarifications, please contact +380505423510 Vira Iskovych, specialist in relations development and program reporting at the NGO “Community Self-Help”
We have also prepared several useful items for participants that will come in handy in everyday life.
