Kyiv-based rehab center, run by Americans, helping war veterans regain mobility with prosthetic limbs and job opportunities.
Serving the Courageous: MCOP's Mission in Ukraine
17-year-old Artem Ivankov, initially relocated to Canada following Russia's invasion of Ukraine, promptly returned to his homeland to battle for his country. His courage, however, came at a heavy price when a landmine explosion in Kharkiv claimed one of his legs.
Ivankov's story is not singular in Ukraine; countless soldiers and veterans have paid the same price.When American entrepreneur Mike Corcoran, co-founder and CEO of Medical Center Orthotics and Prosthetics (MCOP), learned of the staggering number of amputees, he felt compelled to extend his company's services to Kyiv.
"We're witnessing over 100,000 [amputees], which, compared to 20 years of war for the United States, was 2,500. It's just astronomical numbers," Corcoran shared with Chief Global Affairs Correspondent Martha Raddatz in a recent interview.
MCOP, a privately funded company based in the Washington, D.C. area, has long been aiding wounded veterans with prosthetics and rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. Now, MCOP's doors in Ukraine are open, and they are manufacturing and fitting custom prosthetics, while also offering rehabilitation services. This offering has been a transformative opportunity for wounded veterans of the Ukrainian war.
Last week, Ivankov was able to walk again after receiving a prosthetic leg from MCOP, marking a significant milestone in his recovery. This weekend, he took part in a relay race supporting veterans wounded in the war.
"I just want to show them that you can do basically whatever you want and get back to a previous life on the prosthetic one," Ivankov said.
MCOP's commitment to veterans doesn't stop at providing them with prosthetics and rehabilitation; they are also focused on creating employment opportunities for them. Anatoly, another war veteran, lost his leg in a drone strike. After receiving a prosthetic leg from MCOP, he now works for the company, signifying a new beginning for him.
"Mike gave me my first chance to return to life when he gave me this prosthesis, and then he gave me another chance, inviting me to his company, to MCOP work here," Anatoly expressed his gratitude.
Employment is a crucial aspect of MCOP's mission. Corcoran shared, "We've committed to hiring and training veterans ... We like to say that, you know, 'You lose your limb, you're still the same person, right?' ... They can be functional people and have productive lives.”
Corcoran emphasized that MCOP serves more than just a commercial purpose; it's a deeply personal mission for him and his team. “We take living life for granted. But when you've lost two or three limbs and you don't have like [Americans with Disabilities Act], or you don't have a support network behind you, it's tremendously difficult," he explained.
Corcoran's goal is to help provide people with new beginnings, which can sometimes be an emotional journey for him. "Yeah, I mean, they're great people. Really ... The resilience here is something to be proud of, you know?" he added.
[1] When providing prosthetics and rehabilitation services, MCOP also strives to empower veterans by employing them to manufacture prosthetics, offering them a chance to reintegrate into productive roles in society.[2] In some instances, organizations like United Help Ukraine collaborate with MCOP to support Ukrainian amputees by facilitating travel to the United States for advanced treatment and recovery.[3] Reference for United Help Ukraine collaboration: https://unitedhelpukraine.org/how-uhu-supports-ukrainian-veterans-with-prosthetics/
- MCOP, beyond manufacturing and fitting custom prosthetics and offering rehabilitation services, is also focused on creating employment opportunities for veterans, as seen in the case of Anatoly, who lost his leg in a drone strike but now works for the company.
- United Help Ukraine, an organization that supports Ukrainian amputees, collaborates with MCOP to facilitate travel to the United States for advanced treatment and recovery, providing additional resources for injured veterans. (Reference: https://unitedhelpukraine.org/how-uhu-supports-ukrainian-veterans-with-prosthetics/)
- Mike Corcoran, the CEO of MCOP, highlights the emotional aspect of their mission, emphasizing that they aim to help provide people with new beginnings, recognizing the tremendous challenges faced by individuals who have lost limbs.
- The commitment to veterans at MCOP extends beyond just commercial interests; it is a deeply personal mission for Mike Corcoran and his team, who are deeply moved by the resilience and courage displayed by the Ukrainian veterans they serve.
