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In the Kyiv a special training session took place on September 24 — an open adaptive workout for veterans who have undergone amputations. It was not just a sports event but a space of strength, recovery, and support.
The organizers — the Games of Heroes team in partnership with Diia.Education — created an environment where veterans could feel part of a community and gain skills for physical and psychological rehabilitation.
The training began with a discussion panel where experts talked about the importance of adaptive exercises, the training of coaches, and new digital solutions in rehabilitation.
“Our initial goal is the development of digital transformation so that people can use these tools effectively. When our partners from Games of Heroes approached us with the idea of creating a series, we gladly agreed. The series showcases a very powerful program, featuring all three groups of adaptability in sports — though initially, we planned to include only one. The major credit here goes to Games of Heroes for their initiative and dedication”, — said Ruslana Korenchuk, Head of the Diia.Education project.
But the heart of the event was the practical part. Certified adaptive coaches led exercises for participants with amputations, their families, and civilian attendees. They demonstrated how to modify movements for different types of injuries and how to properly assist a person through the process of prosthetics. Each movement, each exercise, was a step toward regaining control over one’s body and life.
Since 2015, Games of Heroes has been offering free physical recovery programs for people after severe injuries and amputations, organizing competitions in Ukraine and abroad, and training coaches. This year, Diia.Education joined them — making veteran support more accessible and systematic, as well as promoting the culture of adaptive sports.
The training was conducted by Yuliia Koval, Head of the Adaptive Coaches Training School and Chief Coach of the Games of Heroes project.
According to her, there are already more than 100 coaches across Ukraine who provide high-quality training services for veterans.
“We were the first to start taking care of veterans after severe injuries. At the beginning of the full-scale invasion, we realized that competitions were not as crucial at the moment as recovery through sports. Of course, competitions are great, but one needs to be properly prepared for them. That’s when our training school was born. It’s a vital foundation because its core is crossfit — and only after mastering it can other types of adaptive sports be introduced without harming the spine or health”, — emphasized Yuliia Koval.
This event was not just about physical exercise. It was about dignity, spirit, and a community that stands by its own. Everyone present could feel that life after injury does not stop — it transforms into a new level of strength and possibility.
