Limbs for Liberty Ukraine
Donate now to make a difference in someone's life in Ukraine. We care. We fight. Together.
Meet our team
Tyler Schmidt
Irina Rastello
Irina Rastello
MSG (Ret) Tyler J. Schmidt, MS, ENP-BC
Helplessly watching the escalation in Ukraine, I knew I had to help. As an Emergency Nurse Practitioner and retired US Army Special Forces soldier I thought to lend whatever assistance I could. While in Ukraine, I was initially involved with training of their military including the Special Forces. I
MSG (Ret) Tyler J. Schmidt, MS, ENP-BC
Helplessly watching the escalation in Ukraine, I knew I had to help. As an Emergency Nurse Practitioner and retired US Army Special Forces soldier I thought to lend whatever assistance I could. While in Ukraine, I was initially involved with training of their military including the Special Forces. I then got involved with providing medical care for the countless refugees arriving from the active combat zones. I witnessed the strength and resiliency of the Ukrainian people, but at a price. The indiscriminate shelling by the Russians has caused trauma to both military and civilians. Seeing adults and children with amputations is heart-breaking particularly when those effected have little resources to obtain prosthetics. Just prior to returning to the U.S. I had an interesting dream to provide Ukrainians that incurred amputations with prosthetics, thus Limbs for Liberty was conceptualized. On my way back home, I happened to be meet Irina Rastello (who was endeavoring to save orphaned cats in Ukraine). She put me in contact with Kelli Rohrig who surprisingly happened to be from the same town as me and also went to Ukraine. Collectively Limbs for Liberty was formed.
Irina Rastello
Irina Rastello
Irina Rastello
I was born and raised in Russia, came to the US when I was 20 years old as an exchange student. I absolutely despise Putin’s regime and all of the loss of life and human suffering it brought to the world. When the war started in Ukraine, I could not stay indifferent to all the atrocities the Russian army was doing there and decided to hel
I was born and raised in Russia, came to the US when I was 20 years old as an exchange student. I absolutely despise Putin’s regime and all of the loss of life and human suffering it brought to the world. When the war started in Ukraine, I could not stay indifferent to all the atrocities the Russian army was doing there and decided to help with whatever I can. While in Ukraine, I met several amputees who told me their heart-wrenching stories of what happened to them. When I came back to the US, I was determined to figure out a way to help them. The soldiers of Ukraine are fighting in the frontlines against the true evil of the world and we need to do whatever we can to help them. It breaks my heart seeing hundreds of amputees on top of thousands of deaths as a sacrifice of Ukrainians to fight for their freedom. I believe that independent of where you are born, being compassionate and doing the right thing often in the most challenging situations is what really matters.
Why we should support Ukraine
July 2022 Irina Rastello gave an interview in attempt to wake up Russian people to be a little braver and kinder. "I'm putting my feelings behind about how I feel watching myself on this video for the sake of hopefully a few affected minds."
Our partner
Human Hearts United
"Human Hearts United is a new, direct way to help and feel like you’re making a real difference."
Upcoming Events
October 21st, Bingo Night at Route 6 Café
Come join us for fun Bingo Night and help amputees from Ukraine to get prosthetics in one of the US clinics.
Other ways to help
There are many ways to help. Please contact us for volunteering opportunities info@limbsforliberty.com
A Poem For Ukraine
By Paige Middleton Vail, Colorado 4/24/2022
I was told to write a poem,
How can I do that, when I barely know the history of Rome?
I will do my best,
Along with trying to rest.
My heart says this will be a masterpiece,
My mind disagrees, arguing that I should cease.
Here now is the poem,
Read it to allow your mind to ramble and roam.
Bright, yellow sunflowers of Ukraine,
Stand tall through sun and rain,
Reminding us that hope remains,
Maybe Putin will refrain.
Bloodshed is numerous in this invasion,
How long will it be its duration,
Children are dying with no good explanation,
My mind feels sad and horrified when I think of this vision,
Putin says he is saving Ukraine from Nazis and other terrible creations,
Yet for Putin it seems fine, what a horrible imagination.
Let us hope this war of rage,
Will diminish and leave the media's stage,
Making the world a better place.
We all watch the news about this war,
Yet we stand quietly next to our safe shore.
We would want people to come help us when we are afraid,
Why can’t we provide some extra aid?
Sadly I am lost on what to do,
But if we can unite we will make it through!
Speak up…Stand up, Know what is right,
And let that guide your mind through this plight.
About Us
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
Tyler Schmidt- Founder
Kelli Rohrig- Co-founder
Irina - great human
Amy Karpas- pediatric PT
Nikki Bova- prosthetic specialist
Ellen- nurse
Our history
Our staff & volunteers
Our staff & volunteers
As our president says, the beginning of our organization started serendipitously. Kelli and Irina had been volunteer partners in Ukraine in the spring. As does happen in Ukraine, Tyler was a WhatsApp friend of Irina. When Tyler and Kelli returned to the US, they were surprised to find that they live in the same town 5 miles apart. Odd
As our president says, the beginning of our organization started serendipitously. Kelli and Irina had been volunteer partners in Ukraine in the spring. As does happen in Ukraine, Tyler was a WhatsApp friend of Irina. When Tyler and Kelli returned to the US, they were surprised to find that they live in the same town 5 miles apart. Oddly enough, S, a Ukrainian, also lives in the same town. From there, our organization just fell into place. We are passionate about Ukraine, the Ukrainians and helping innocent humans wounded during the war.
Our mission
Our staff & volunteers
Our mission
Limbs For Liberty (LFL) is determined to help amputees from Ukraine to receive a prosthetic treatment so that they can feel wholesome again. Our organization serves as a liaison between the prosthetic doctors and potential donors in a common effort to help people from Ukraine who lost their limbs as an outcome of this unjustified and gru
Limbs For Liberty (LFL) is determined to help amputees from Ukraine to receive a prosthetic treatment so that they can feel wholesome again. Our organization serves as a liaison between the prosthetic doctors and potential donors in a common effort to help people from Ukraine who lost their limbs as an outcome of this unjustified and gruesome war.
LFL is a team of very diverse but passionate volunteers that work to accomplish our mission through doing fundraising events, collecting private donations and finding prosthetists in the US and other countries who can provide the treatment
Why donate
Our staff & volunteers
Our mission
Russian invasion of Ukraine leaves behind many personal tragedies. One of those tragedies is the amount of amputees that we see in Ukraine today. By the end of war there estimated to be thousands of both soldiers and civilians with limb losses who will need prosthetics. Not all of those people will receive immediate help or any help at al
Russian invasion of Ukraine leaves behind many personal tragedies. One of those tragedies is the amount of amputees that we see in Ukraine today. By the end of war there estimated to be thousands of both soldiers and civilians with limb losses who will need prosthetics. Not all of those people will receive immediate help or any help at all.
Your donation will go directly to helping an amputee child, young adult or adult acquire prosthetics and enhance their quality of life and encompassing the growth and development of the child, young adult or adult.
In the news
In the news
In the news
Tyler Schmidt went to Ukraine in April hoping to help in that war-torn country. He returned with an even deeper devotion to that mission.
Schmidt, of Avon, is a nurse practitioner and a veteran of the U.S. Army’s Green Berets. He and fellow veteran Greg Miller, a physician’s assistant, self-funded a spring mission with a desire to help in
Tyler Schmidt went to Ukraine in April hoping to help in that war-torn country. He returned with an even deeper devotion to that mission.
Schmidt, of Avon, is a nurse practitioner and a veteran of the U.S. Army’s Green Berets. He and fellow veteran Greg Miller, a physician’s assistant, self-funded a spring mission with a desire to help in any way they could.
Schmidt is a combat veteran, so he’s seen a lot. But even staying west of the heaviest fighting, he wasn’t prepared for what he saw in Ukraine.
In the news
In the news
In the news
Limbs for Liberty, a local charity organization dedicated to crisis relief in Ukraine, is offering a new opportunity for residents and businesses in Eagle County to support those affected by the conflict with Russia. The “Adopt a Family” program, which launched Monday, allows private sponsors to financially back an internally displaced f
Limbs for Liberty, a local charity organization dedicated to crisis relief in Ukraine, is offering a new opportunity for residents and businesses in Eagle County to support those affected by the conflict with Russia. The “Adopt a Family” program, which launched Monday, allows private sponsors to financially back an internally displaced family, funding their housing, food, and other costs of living.
In the news
In the news
In the news
Painting for prosthetics: Local event aims to help war victims in Ukraine. A portion of proceeds from Cocktails & Canvas benefits Limbs for Liberty, which provides prosthetics for war victims in Ukraine.
A local organization providing aid to civilians wounded in the Russia-Ukraine war wants people to know they can help in the smallest of
Painting for prosthetics: Local event aims to help war victims in Ukraine. A portion of proceeds from Cocktails & Canvas benefits Limbs for Liberty, which provides prosthetics for war victims in Ukraine.
A local organization providing aid to civilians wounded in the Russia-Ukraine war wants people to know they can help in the smallest of ways, even with just a few brushstrokes. On Tuesday, Alpine Arts Center will host Cocktails & Canvas to support Limbs for Liberty, a local nonprofit designed to help amputees from Ukraine benefit from prosthetic treatment. It may seem like a trivial thing: Painting while sipping a drink, but a portion of each registration fee directly funds prosthetics and other assistance for Ukrainians suffering the atrocities of war, and a silent auction and bake sale also contribute to the fundraiser.