The Mission of a Canadian Veteran in Ukraine
Jacob Kepka, a 68-year-old Canadian veteran and former U.S. Marine who has lived with a leg amputation and used a prosthesis for more than 20 years, is undertaking his second cycling expedition across Ukraine. The journey began in Lviv on August 24 and will conclude in Kyiv. Over the course of six weeks, Jacob plans to cover more than 2,000 km, travelling through Ivano-Frankivsk, Ternopil, Vinnytsia, Odesa, Mykolaiv, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Cherkasy, and Bucha.
After travelling from Ivano-Frankivsk, where Jacob actively participated in a conference, he also visited Ternopil.
During the conference “Limitless Possibilities. Amputation. Rehabilitation. Social Adaptation 2026,” he shared his personal experience with veterans, spoke about his journey following amputation, and described his return to an active life. He paid particular attention to communicating with future specialists, showing interest in the education of master’s students enrolled in the Prosthetics and Orthotics educational and professional programme, as well as in the training of future prosthetists and orthotists.
Jacob Kepka speaking at a conference in Ivano-Frankivsk
During his stay in Ternopil, Jacob Kepka visited Ternopil National Medical University, the Recovery rehabilitation department for military personnel, the “Return” Mental Health Centre, the “Razan” Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Centre, and the “Garta” Prosthetics and Adaptation Centre. Meetings with military personnel and veterans are a particularly important part of his journey. During his meetings with veterans, he openly shares his personal story, talks about his path from injury to an active life, and motivates others not to perceive amputation as a limitation of their potential.
“Return” Mental Health Centre
Реабілітаційні процедури в центрі ментального здоров’я «Повернення»
Jacob Kepka talking with staff at the prosthetics workshop of the “Razan” Prosthetics and Rehabilitation Centre
At the “Razan” Prosthetics Centre
“GARTA” Prosthetics and Adaptation Centre
Meeting with veterans at the “GARTA” Centre
For his work supporting people with amputations, Jacob Kepka was included in the list of “Five People with Amputations Who Changed the World in 2024” by the American publication Amplitude.
Today, Jacob uses his personal experience to raise awareness of the rehabilitation and social needs of people with amputations. To this end, he founded HopeRaising Expedition, an international initiative aimed at promoting the idea of an active life and creating new opportunities for people with amputations, regardless of their physical abilities.
Meetings with Jacob Kepka are not only an opportunity to exchange experiences but also a reminder that everyone has their own path from injury to an active life, but that path is possible. We thank Jacob for his openness, sincerity, and meaningful conversation with our veterans and future prosthetics and orthotics specialists.