GMKA and Mission Gait Collaborate to Enhance Amputation Recovery in Ukraine

This comprehensive series, created by Mission Gait Foundation, equips patients and rehabilitation professionals with vital knowledge, covering every stage of amputation recovery — from initial treatment and prosthesis adaptation to advanced skills such as running with a prosthesis.

Mission Gait Foundation has been instrumental in addressing Ukraine’s urgent rehabilitation needs. David Lawrence, MSPT, GRS, AT-Ret, the founder and CEO of Mission Gait, played a pivotal role in this initiative by authorizing the use of an extensive series of his rehabilitation training videos. These videos, where Dr. Lawrence personally demonstrates advanced techniques alongside patient volunteers, form the foundation of the educational series now serving Ukraine’s healthcare providers and patients. His swift and generous response underscores Mission Gait’s unwavering commitment to transforming lives through rehabilitation.

GMKA translated Dr. Lawrence’s instructional materials into Ukrainian to ensure they were accessible to local professionals. These resources are hosted on GMKA’s website, making them widely available across Ukraine. This massive undertaking was accomplished by a dedicated team of Ukrainian physicians and medical students, who worked tirelessly amid the severe challenges of missile attacks and frequent power outages. Their resilience and dedication highlight the profound commitment of everyone involved to enhancing rehabilitation care and improving outcomes for individuals with amputations in Ukraine.

Dr. David Lawrence’s expertise anchors the instructional content of this initiative. As a globally recognized authority on rehabilitation and education, Dr. Lawrence brings decades of experience in treating patients and teaching courses worldwide. He is the Founder and CEO of The Mission Gait Foundation and the Owner of Lawrence Rehabilitation – The Gait Center. Dr. Lawrence treats patients and teaches international courses on knee, hip, and foot pathologies, amputation recovery, and adaptive sports. His contributions have profoundly shaped this project, providing hope and improved quality of life for countless individuals in Ukraine.

The impact of Mission Gait’s materials extends beyond hospitals and clinics, reaching physical therapy students at institutions like Ukraine’s National University of Pharmacy. This partnership, facilitated by Mission Gait, exemplifies how the foundation’s resources are fostering a new generation of rehabilitation professionals equipped to meet the growing need for specialized care.

The collaboration between GMKA and Mission Gait has been vital to the project’s success. Special thanks are extended to Ken Witkowich for his invaluable support and to Mission Gait for permitting the translation of these resources. This shared effort underscores a united commitment to supporting Ukraine’s war-affected population. Rehabilitation professionals across Ukraine are invited to participate in this impactful initiative, which aims to empower individuals with limb loss to reclaim their independence and thrive in daily life.

For additional videos and resources, visit Mission Gait’s website, which also offers a wealth of English-language materials. By providing accessible, expert-driven training, GMKA and Mission Gait are transforming rehabilitation care and instilling hope in the lives of those who need it most.