Dr. Sarah Doerrer PhD, OTR/L, CHT, CLT, assistant professor of the GW occupational therapy program recently volunteered with Medical Center Orthotics & Prosthetics (MCOP) to support veterans from Ukraine wearing prostheses. Several second-year OTD students interested in occupational therapy’s role in rehabilitation post prostheses were invited by Dr. Doerrer to observe and assist, as well.
“The experience was rewarding and inspiring to see the holistic and empathetic approach given to the Ukrainian soldiers. It showed that healthcare professionals can work interpersonally and collectively for the betterment of the client’s physical and mental health,” said second-year OTD student Kiara Johnson.
As Ukrainian veterans are entering the United States in unprecedented numbers to receive medical treatment, Dr. Doerrer assisted Ilia Mykhalchuk, who had a double amputation, by teaching him how to do basic tasks with, and without, his new prosthesis.
Mykhalchuk’s story emphasizes the importance of having access to resources in order to adapt to his new reality. While it is fantastic that organizations are working to provide Ukrainian veterans with proper prosthetics at no cost to them, Dr. Doerrer recognizes the importance of accessibility.
“We can fit and adjust his prosthetics here in the United States, but once he goes back to Ukraine, should they longer fit, or malfunction, he still needs to be able to navigate his day-to-day life without them in case he does not have access to the same resources,” said Dr. Doerrer
Collese Daley, a second-year OTD student, reflected on the veterans’ mental health as she said, “The war is still present in their lives as they now have to battle the frustrations that come with adapting to their new future without the limbs they used to have. Thankfully, the advancement of technology now allows people to regain their independence.”
“Volunteering was an extremely eye-opening, educational experience. Not only did I get to observe and learn about what goes into fitting and using a prosthetic, but I also learned more about the reality of what is happening in Ukraine. It’s different from the information you hear on the news and online. It’s raw, real, and makes you more aware of what is going on around you,” said second-year OTD student, Kate Agnes.
The report was aired by ARD, Germany’s largest broadcaster, and comparable to “60 Minutes” in the US, was produced for “Weltspiegel” which has been ARD’s long-standing foreign reports format. The report will also air on Deutsche Welle which is Germany’s international broadcaster and distributed to viewers around the world.
Currently, Dr. Doerrer and the GW occupational therapy program are looking to work with MCOP to create a capstone project where students will participate in research projects related to upper extremity prostheses use.
MCOP is a leading prosthetic out-patient clinic serving amputees who seek to maximize their potential and minimize the complications associated with wearing a prosthesis. MCOP has provided prosthesis services to 19 Ukrainians, and more of them are on the way. MCOP is not working alone in this endeavor, the sponsoring of the veterans coming to the United States has been aided by donations from the Brother’s Brother Foundation and the aid group United Help Ukraine, which pays for housing, food, interpreters, and other nonmedical needs.
To learn more about the work of Dr. Doerrer and MCOP see, USA: Prothesen für ukrainische Kriegs-Opfer and Wagner’s prisoner of war: A Ukrainian soldier’s 46-day nightmare.
