What could be better than a cognitive excursion that the students of the specialty 017 Physical Culture and Sports under the educational program Physical Rehabilitation of the National Institute of Physical Education of the Ukrainian State Technical University of Ukraine USUST, together with the acting director of the National Institute of Physical Education of the Ukrainian State Technical University, Professor Olga Sergiyevna SVERDLIKOVSKAYA, the head of the Department of Physical Culture, Sports and Health Lina Oleksandrivna SOKOLOVA and the scientific and pedagogical staff of the department, took to the Charitable organization “Charitable institution “Center for Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy and Inclusive Education named after of the Holy Righteous John”?

It should be recalled that the idea of ​​creating the Charitable Institution “John’s Center” originated with the brothers Pavel and Dmitry Ovchinnikov, founders of the company “KIDDISVIT” back in 2011, and already in December 2019, the “John’s Center” opened, and in 2020 began accepting children and adults for rehabilitation.

The mission of the “John’s Center” is to improve the quality of life of children and adults through comprehensive rehabilitation and creating opportunities for their socialization and prospects for an independent future.

On November 19, 2024, our delegation was hospitably met at the Center by Pavel Ovchinnikov – the founder of the Center together with the acting director – Olga ZELENINA.

“Ioannis Center” specializes in medical, physical, psychological, correctional and pedagogical, social rehabilitation, that is, in all areas of therapy and with all age categories of the population.

The excursion event began with a visit to an exclusive house church for spiritual support of patients, where Father Yevgen Babenko, a priest and sign language interpreter, serves. Father Yevgen has the opportunity to support those who really need it – people with disabilities, adults and children who find themselves in difficult life circumstances.

Then we were invited to familiarize ourselves with the assistive technology rooms and the speech therapist’s office, in which specialists are engaged in the development of imitation skills, namely: general, articulatory motor skills, the development of phonemic perception, etc.

We visited a psychologist’s office, where a specialist practices clinical psychology, using modern methods with elements of developmental programs for patients with various diagnoses, teaches communication, and conducts corrective exercises in Neurochat.

We visited a hand therapy room equipped with modern requirements for the development of fine motor skills, and got acquainted with the use of a robot simulator that stimulates the work of the upper limbs by means of passive execution of movements, which leads to stimulation of motor activity of the fingers.

Special attention deserves the interactive physical therapy room with the necessary equipment, orthoses and simulators – verticalizers, walking simulators, fixators, suspension systems, etc., the sensory integration room, which is equipped with modern equipment and simulators, as well as an interactive floor.

The early intervention room, where leading specialists conduct classes, diagnose ICF (International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health), set SMART goals, the importance of which is phased planning. The staff includes bachelors as assistants who help therapists organize classes, gain knowledge and acquire practical skills.

The highlight of the “Ioanniv Center” is the children’s culinary studio, where various master classes are held, in addition, there are equipped rooms where children have the opportunity to create products from cardboard, ceramic mosaics, etc., as well as a room with a machine on which children sharpen and polish.

 

The main event of the day was the signing of a memorandum of cooperation between the Charitable Organization “Charitable Institution “Center for Rehabilitation, Physical Therapy and Inclusive Education named after St. Righteous John” and the Ukrainian State University of Science and Technology, which defines friendly relations and areas of cooperation, based on common tasks, overcoming outdated stereotypes, forming a new educational environment of dual education, improving the professional level and training the personnel reserve of Ukraine.

The significant influence of the participation of both parties in determining the university’s development strategy in developing educational and professional programs and forming curricula for training specialists and work programs of disciplines was noted; in providing a base for internships, dual education and practice of USUST students in the specialty 017 Physical Culture and Sports under the educational program Physical Rehabilitation. The development and implementation of joint projects of dual education, facilitating the employment of university graduates at the IOANNIV CENTER, providing opportunities for advanced training and internships for university teachers and Center specialists in the relevant departments of both parties.

 

Inspired by the impressions received from the excursion and the signing of the Memorandum between the “Ioanniv Center” and UDUNT, we are confident in fruitful cooperation and joint implementation of projects aimed at supporting people with disabilities, developing inclusive education, and integrating our students into important social initiatives.

We thank the founder of the “Ioanniv Center” Pavel Ovchinnikov,T.V.O. Director Olga ZELENINI and specialists of the Center for hospitality, unforgettable impressions and offered opportunities for professional growth of student youth

 

More photos from the excursion can be viewed at link