Physical and mental recovery of veterans: how adaptive sports training is conducted under the MHP Next door program

More than 50 soldiers and veterans who were injured in the course of combat operations conducted adaptive sports training in Myronivka. They shot archery, played wheelchair basketball, rode a handbike and rowed on a simulator. The training was conducted by national and international champions. 

Volodymyr Moisei is a powerlifter who lifted a barbell with disks weighing 260 kilograms with one hand and set a Ukrainian record. Volodymyr is from the temporarily occupied city of Berdiansk, Zaporizhzhia region. He has been playing professional sports for eight years, three of which he has been disabled. In 2019, he lost his arm in an accident, but continued to play sports. 

"If you can't change your circumstances, then change your attitude to them. And I want to show not just strength, but an unbreakable spirit, the will to win, that disability is not a sentence. I want the culture of people with disabilities to change after the war . I show this by my example," says Volodymyr Moses. 

At a sports training session, Volodymyr demonstrated how he lifts a 200-kilogram barbell with one hand: "Everyone can do it. Many guys who go through similar traumatic events say: "Why  is this happening to me?"  But the right question is: "For what?" Our world needs real change and people like these can make it happen, and we need to give love to them and make them strong athletes, strong fathers, and husbands.  This is why everyone is defending our country."

According to the coaches, adaptive sports is an important part of the rehabilitation of military personnel, veterans and people with disabilities, as it maintains physical health, strengthens muscles and bones, improves the cardiovascular system and increases the overall tone of the body. Sports can become a part of social interaction and help overcome physical and psychological trauma, restore lost self-confidence, and find new goals and motivation in life.

Andriy Kucher, veteran, head of the NGO "Union of Wounded Military of Ukraine "Strong 300": "Reaching a certain level, winning medals, a veteran is gradually motivated, not just to achieve goals in sports, but also in life. Therefore, when wounded soldiers are integrated into sports and the veterans' movement, it means that their families are safe, and it means that the community is safe. That is why my project "Vetsport to Communities!" aims to visit communities, because this is where any national veteran policy begins. We bring inclusive equipment,  present inclusive sports, and share our experience."

The sporting event in Myronivka was organized by  the NGO "Union of Wounded Soldiers of Ukraine "Strong 300", with the support of the MHP Poruch military and veterans reintegration program.

Valentyna Vedrovska, veteran, MHP Regional Development Manager: "As part of the MHP Poruch (MHP Next Door) program to support military and veterans, we create opportunities for physical and mental recovery and social adaptation. And adaptive sports training is effective in this regard, as it helps not only to recover physically, but also to form a veteran community, create conditions for interaction, cooperation and mutual support between veterans and other community members."

It is symbolic that the event was held in the renovated sports and recreation center on the very first day of its opening. 

Dmytro Zhukotansky, First Deputy Mayor of Myronivka: "The reintegration of our soldiers is a common challenge for all members of society: families, communities, government and business. And we enlist the support of socially responsible partners. In particular, with the support of MHP, adaptive sports training is held in various communities across the country. Today's event in Myronivka  is attended by more than 50 veterans of the Myronivka community."

About the MHP Next Door program 

"MHP Next Door" is a program of individual support and comprehensive support for the military, veterans and their families. The program is aimed at employees and residents of the communities where MHP enterprises are present. Since February 24, 2022, more than 3,000 MHP employees have left their offices, production facilities and fields to defend us in the war. This is more than 10% of employees with military experience. Almost 400 veterans have already returned to work. Therefore, the company was one of the first in Ukraine to provide comprehensive and systematic support for soldiers and their families: legal, psychological, treatment/rehabilitation, vocational training and social adaptation. Now the program  focuses on supporting veteran spaces, communities and adaptive sports for the rehabilitation and reintegration of our soldiers