President’sReport
3
Executive Director’s Report
4
Service Officer’s Report
5
Sports & Recreation6
Summer Sports Clinic
7
PVA News8
Patient Education Series
10
NominationForm
12
InsideWhat’s
continued on page 4
Vol. LXIV, #5 The NewsleTTer of The New eNglaNd ChapTer paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCaMay 2014
a member ChapTer of The paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCa – CharTered by The CoNgress of The uNiTed sTaTes
CORD WORDWORDCORD By Debra A. Freed
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)
began in 1946 because WWII veterans
who suffered a spinal cord injury wanted
to do more to improve the quality of life after
SCI. To honor the beginning of PVA, its Chap-
ters, and its growing membership, PVA started
an awareness week around the date of its cre-
ation, April 17th. Well, PVA Awareness Week
has grown from a week to a month long pro-
gram which showcases the past, how far we have
come, the various groups we work with, and yet
how far there is still to go to find a cure.
On Saturday, April 12th, Mr. Walter & Pat
Farrington, along with members of American
Legion Post 21 in Concord, New Hampshire
met with Senator Bernie Sanders. Senator Sand-
ers is the Chairman of the Senate Veterans
Affairs Committee. He drafted a comprehensive
bill, Senate Bill 1982. When asked why he chose
to include Education, Procreation, Transporta-
tion, and Veterans Benefits, along with the pri-
mary topic increasing Caregiver Benefits for all
veterans not just those from 9.11.2001, Senator
Sanders stated that all of these issues are impor-
tant. How do we choose one over the other?
Several other events involving Chapter members
took place. The Chapter held its monthly pizza
party at West Roxbury on Wednesday April
16th. On behalf of the Chapter, I hosted a table
at Massasoit Community College in Brockton.
On April 17th, again on behalf of the Chapter
and our now more than 140 transportation cli-
ents, I attended a meeting along with the MA
Veterans Transportation Coalition hosted by
Mass Mobility.
On April 26th, John Brako, long time Board
Member who suffers with Multiple Sclero-
sis (M.S.) represented the Chapter at the MS
MuckFest 5K held in Devens, MA. John will be
cheering from the sidelines while his sister Anne
and others run, jump, scramble through mud-
pits over the 5K race. We are looking
forward to the photos.
On April 30, I will have witnessed the
donation of a new Ekso Skeleton to the
West Roxbury Spinal Cord Injury Ser-
vice. This amazing piece of equipment
will allow a paraplegic to stand and walk.
I look forward to reporting in the June
issue.
Highlights from PVA Awareness Month
Senator Bernie Sanders (VT) speaks at the American
Legion Post 21 in Concord, NH to discuss S. 1982.
Cord Word May 2014
www.nepva.org
PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA
NEW ENGLAND CHAPTERNEPVA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
1600 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY-SUITE 143WALPOLE, MA 02081
TEL: (508) 660-1181, 1-(800) 660-1181FAX: (508) 668-9412; e-mail: [email protected]
web: www.nepva.orgOffice Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
NEPVA OFFICERSPresident, Craig CascellaVice President, Wayne RossSecretary, Peter MooreTreasurer, Charles SchenaNational Director, Craig Cascella
EXECUTIVE BOARD John BrakoBrad CarlsonWalter FarringtonMike GuilbaultDustin Soroka Jim WallackNeal Williams
Cord Word is published twelve times a year by the New England Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, MA 02081 in the interest of Chapter members. Membership in NEPVA entitles you to a free subscription to Cord Word. Articles published in Cord Word do not necessarily reflect the views of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, New England Chapter. NEPVA neither endorses nor guarantees any of the products or services advertised herein. Postmaster: send changes of address to NEPVA, 1600 Providence Hwy., Suite 143, Walpole, MA 02081
Monthly meetings are held every first Wednesday of the month at the NEPVA office in Walpole, Ma. The executive board meets at 10:30 a.m. Followed by the regular membership meeting at 1:00 p.m.
PROGRAM DIRECTORSDevelopment Director, Craig CascellaMembership Officer, Craig CascellaMS Liaison, John BrakoCommunity Outreach, Mike GuilbaultNEPVA Peer Mentor Rep., Mike GuilbaultScholarship Chairman, Craig CascellaSports Director, Brad CarlsonAssistant Sports Director, Mike GuilbaultBass Trail Liaison, Jim WallackWomen Veterans’ Liaison, Debra FreedVolunteer Chairman, Judy Goldstein
Hospital Liaisons Brockton, MA VAMC, Mike GuilbaultWest Roxbury, MA VAMC, Craig CascellaNorthampton, MA VAMC, Tim KellyProvidence, RI VAMC, Craig CascellaManchester, NH VAMC, Walter Farrington West Haven, CT VAMC, VacantWhite River Jct, VT VAMC, Craig CascellaTogus, ME VAMC, Dustin Soroka
STAFFExecutive Director, Debra FreedCord Word Editor, Judy GoldsteinGovernment Relations Director, Debra FreedAdministrative Assistant, Judy GoldsteinBookkeeper, Jeri FarinellaCord Word Design & Web Master, Harley Freedman
2
of our Chapter Members & Friends
Salvatore Fazzino, Jr.
Earle L. Lund, III
We deeply regret the passing
NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICEPARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
BOSTON VA REGIONAL OFFICEJ.F.K. FEDERAL BUILDING - Room - 1575 C
BOSTON, MA 02203TEL: (617) 303-1395 & 1-800-795-3607
Fax: (617) 723-7467Eastern Region Director, Joseph E. Badzmierowski
Senior Secretary, Ann Marie Wallace
PVA NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICETOGUS, VARO, 1 VA CENTER
BLDG 248, ROOM 112AUGUSTA, ME 04330
Serving maine, new HampSHire and vermont
TEL:(207) 621-7394, FAX: (207) 621-4829TOLL FREE: 866-795-1911
Senior National Service Officer, John StansburySecretary, Violet Bates
PVA NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICEBROCKTON VAMC
940 BELMONT ST., BLDG. 3 ROOM 207BROCKTON, MA 02301
TEL: (774) 826-2219FAX: (774) 826-3167
National Service Officer II, Heather Cherniack
May 2014Cord Word
www.nepva.org 3
By Craig C. Cascella NEPVA President
President’s Report
continued on page 4
A big hello from Munich,
Germany! Or should I say
“Hallo!” My article will be
short, as I have been on Holiday (vaca-
tion) in Europe since March 30th. I
have always loved to travel, both State-
side & Internationally, from my days
serving in the U.S. Marine Corps &
also post-SCI injury. I highly encour-
age our members and friends to do so
if you can & while you can. There is
so much to see, experience, & do in
the world, with such interesting dif-
ferences in cultures & ways about life
on a daily basis. I have thus far been to
Edinburgh, Scotland; Milton Keynes,
UK; Bournemouth, UK; London, UK;
Berlin, Germany; & currently am in
Munich, Germany. I further plan on
visiting Barcelona, Granada, & Madrid,
Spain; & ending my trip in Dublin, Ire-
land before flying back home to Rhode
Island via Boston during the first week
of May & then attending the May
Chapter BOD meeting two days after
arriving back home Stateside.
I will likely write up a small briefing of
my travels in a future newsletter article,
not to brag or boast mind you, but just
to briefly highlight some disability or
accessibility related items or issues of
note and perhaps offer some travel tips
should our members wish to possibly
explore future travels abroad.
Although I have been away, I can assure
you that I have been kept abreast of var-
ious Chapter business matters on a daily
basis while here in Europe. I appreciate
the Chapter staff keeping the business
matters running smoothly as usual as if
I have not been away at all, like they do
as usual.
That being said, here are a couple PVA
items of note. Thomas (Tom) R. Fjer-
stad has been appointed as the new
Deputy Editor for PVA Magazines,
effective April 1, 2014. Tom brings a
wealth of experience and has been serv-
ing on PVA’s National Board of Direc-
tors for the past twenty years. Tom is a
professional parliamentarian and served
as the President/National Director of
PVA’s Minnesota Chapter since 2006.
Tom has served on several commit-
tees on the National level as well as the
Chapter level, which has given him a
broad base of knowledge for PVA’s oper-
ations and an appreciation for the orga-
nization’s history. Tom is a U.S. Navy
veteran and active PVA member who
is certified by the National Association
of Parliamentarians as a Professional
Registered Parliamentarian (PRP). Tom
will be working very closely with PVA
Magazine Editor, Richard Hoover. Tom
is in the process of transitioning to the
Phoenix, AZ area.
Four Department of Veterans Affairs
(VA) researchers
were among the
102 recipients of
the 2014 Presiden-
tial Early Career
Award for Scien-
tists and Engineers
(PECASE) honored
at a ceremony held
April 14th. One of
the recipients was
a local here in the
VA Boston Health-
care System,
Dr. Katherine
M. Iverson.
Dr. Iverson
was honored
for her stud-
ies regarding
intimate partner
violence (IPV) among
women Veterans. Her work regarding
the clinical importance of IPV screen-
ing has provided a foundation for better
IPV detection and treatment and has
informed emerging VA policy.
The PECASE is the highest honor
conferred by the U.S. government on
federal researchers in the early stages of
their careers. “These four VA scientists
truly embody the spirit and intent of the
PECASE,” said Secretary of Veterans
Affairs Eric K. Shinseki. Established in
1996, the awards are given each year for
“innovative research at the frontiers of
science and technology” and a commit-
ment to community service. VA, which
has the largest integrated health care
The London Eye & London County Hall (The Eye is wheelchair acces-sible & offers tremendous views of London)
Cord Word May 2014
www.nepva.org4
continued from page 1
Executive Director’s Report By Debra FreedExecutive Director
As stated earlier PVA and its member
chapters remain committed to devel-
oping and working with like-minded
organizations enhancing our current
programs and engaging in new ones.
It may not happen in my lifetime, but
without the constant pursuit, it will
never happen. Great strides have been
made since the mid 1940’s. Thank
you to everyone who helped PVA and
the New England Chapter celebrate
another PVA Awareness Month.
Everything we do is important whether
it be Advocacy and Legislation or
Sports & Recreation. We work with a
number of other organizations that are
like minded. As part of PVA Awareness
Month, I set up a meeting with long-
time friend, David Estrada – former
Director of the National Spinal Cord
Injury Association’s Boston Chapter,
now a working partner in the F.E.S.
Rowing Program at Spaulding Rehab
facility in Cambridge. David & I met
on Friday April 11th so he could share
some growing research. A follow-up
email from David Estrada after our visit
read:
“Thank you so much for coming in
and spending some time to check out
the Exercise for Persons with Disabili-
ties (ExPD) Program. As I mentioned,
right now we are
focused on indoor
rowing (with
and without
FES) for SCI,
however, we
have also
enrolled indi-
viduals with MS
and other neurologi-
cal complications. Within the next few
months, we will be expanding into a
larger space and we will be adding more
“gym type” equipment. I’ve attached
the study flyer (which is overseen by
Dr. Andrew Taylor) which lists the
criteria and doesn’t cost anything. I’ve
also attached the ExPD Program flyer
(which is open to anyone interested
in FES/non-FES rowing/exercise--the
costs are outlined in the flyer). Here’s a
link to an internet video: http://vimeo.
com/50772581.”
The ExPD Program flyer is posted on the NEPVA website: www.nepva.org.
system in the country, also has one of
the largest medical research programs.
This fiscal year, nearly 3,500 research-
ers will work on more than 2,200 proj-
ects with about $586 million in direct
funding from VA. Additional research
is conducted under VA auspices by
VA-affiliated investigators with fund-
ing from non-VA sources, such as the
National Institutes of Health, Depart-
ment of Defense, and various private
and nonprofit organizations. For more
information on VA Research, please
visit www.research.va.gov.
That’s a briefing for now, please read
the other informative articles in our
newsletter that our Chapter Directors
have written.
Goodbye from Munich, or should I say,
“Auf Wiedersehen.”
As always, feel free to visit NEPVA’s
web site (www.nepva.org), PVA’s web
site (www.pva.org), and the VA’s web
site (www.va.gov) for up to date and
recent news. If you have any questions,
comments, or concerns please contact
our office or your local NSO.
continued from page 3
Left-Walter and Pat Farrington join Debra Freed at the meeting with Senator Sanders. Right-David Estrada with one of the new specially adapted rowing machines at Spaulding Rehab in Cambridge.
May 2014Cord Word
www.nepva.org 5
By Michael J. KruseSenior National Service Officer, Buffalo, NY
Service Officer’s ReportVocational Rehabilitation and Educational Benefits
One of the most underutilized
Department of Veterans
Affairs (DVA) benefits is
the Vocational Rehabilitation and
Education (VR&E) service, as well as
the Independent Living Program. If
veterans are disabled because of service-
connected disabilities, and they require
assistance with resume writing, career
counseling, employment leads or desire
a college education, the DVA offers a
program to help. The DVA also offers
independent living services for severely
disabled veterans who are unable to
work in a regular employment situation.
The DVA has numerous Employment
Coordinators and Vocational Rehabili-
tation Counselors who assist veterans
with service-connected disabilities.
These VA employees help veterans
discover sustainable and meaning-
ful careers. A counselor can provide
employment services and job counsel-
ing that is specific to veterans’ needs
while helping them achieve employment
goals. Counselors provide support and
assistance in helping guide veterans
down paths that guarantee the greatest
effective use of their VA benefits while
achieving their personal goals.
If veterans are entitled to Vocational
Rehabilitation benefits, they can work
with a counselor in developing person-
alized rehabilitation plans following one
of these five paths:
Re-employmentProvides assistance for veterans ready to
enter the workforce. VR&E helps with
finding, applying for, and securing job
positions. Job accommodations can be
provided along with other specialized
support when deemed appropriate.
Self-employmentHelps with analyzing and developing
business plans and training on market-
ing and operating a small business.
Employment through Long-Term ServicesThis portion of the VR&E benefits
aids veterans with service-connected
disabilities that require additional train-
ing and skills in finding competitive
employment. Help is offered with guid-
ance with education, vocational train-
ing, job preparation and work studies.
This portion of the benefit is geared in
retraining veterans for new careers.
Independent LivingThere are some veterans with service-
connected disabilities that cannot
return to work. Where they cannot
return to work, they can still live inde-
pendent and fulfilling lives. The DVA
aids with helping these veterans find
community-based services, accom-
modations, assistive technologies and
independent living skills training. The
independent living plans are personal-
ized to meet the needs of veterans. In
this program, veterans typically receive
up to 24 months of support in helping
them living as independently as pos-
sible in their communities and most
importantly their personal residences.
Veterans pursuing employment goals
could receive additional services that
enable them to perform daily activities
independently as part of their employ-
ment plan.
The Independent Living Program
entails counseling and evaluation ser-
vices that help in determining indepen-
dent living needs in identifying goals.
Veterans will receive consultations with
counselors who help indentify medi-
cal doctors, occupational therapists,
physical therapists, and rehabilitation
engineers. Veterans will receive referrals
and information to special technolo-
gies, health care services, family coun-
seling and community living support
resources. Counselors provide assis-
tance and information on home modi-
fication programs such as the Home
Improvement and Structural Altera-
tions (HISA) grant, and the Specially
Adapted Housing (SAH) grant.
To apply for VR&E services, please
complete a VA form 28-1900 (Applica-
tion for Vocational Rehabilitation) and
return to your local Department of
Veterans Affairs. If you need further
assistance or have any questions contact
your local Paralyzed Veterans of Amer-
ica National Service Officer.
Cord Word May 2014
www.nepva.org6
Sports & Recreation
23rd Annual Sebastian DeFrancesco NEPVA Golf Tournament
May 27, 2014(the day after Memorial Day)
Blue Hill Country Club Canton, MA
Call the NEPVA office for further information.
TAKE ME TO THE (CHARLES) RIVERby Lori Chase
The New England PVA Bass Trail will be rolling down the River Saturday June 7th at the 15th Annual Bass Fishing Tournament. This FREE event is from 7am-3:30 pm at the Newton Yacht Club in Newton, MA. Boat launch is 7:30-8:00 am; weigh in is 2:30 pm, barbeque lunch and awards following. This event is held at no charge to all present and offered to any disabled angler. Please register ASAP at NEPVA.ORG or call the office at 1-800-660-1181.
I was fortunate enough to be among a few
of our PVA New England members invited
to attend a great event, Warfighters Sports
Weekend. On March 20-22 we did three moun-
tains in three days. I have also skied a few other
mountains for the first time this year and wanted
to share with our members some of the great
programs available to do some adaptive skiing in
many of the White Mountain ski areas. I’m aware
many live far from our NEHSA partner at Mount
Sunapee, so I have spent this season exploring
other areas and wanted to pass along what I’ve
learned about other adaptive programs.
I skied Okemo Mountain in Ludlow, VT and
although there is no adaptive program it is an
amazing area and worth visiting. One must be
somewhat independent and bring their own ski
buddy, but if you are, I highly recommend check-
ing out Okemo. There is also a great program at
Gunstock Mountain. An interesting side note,
when I asked how much I owed to pay for my lift
ticket while there, the cashier asked me if I was
a veteran. When I said yes, she told me that’ll be
$15.00. That is outstanding. While I have my own
equipment and ski independently, I always need a
ski buddy and they sent a few of their instructors
with me. Even if you are a beginning skier and
need instructors and all the equipment, the price
is still $15.00.
I’ve learned Bretton Woods in NH charges the
same for veterans and was told other areas have
the same policy. Whenever going to a new area
it is wise to let them know you are a veteran; you
may be pleasantly surprised with a great discount
(I sure was.)
To say the Warfighter Weekend was a great event
would be an understatement. I must say skiing
three mountains in three days was thrilling for
me. Each resort had great adaptive programs with
plenty of equipment and plenty of knowledgeable
and fun loving instructors. We started by skiing
Bretton Woods on Thursday March 20, Friday we
went to Loon Mountain and Saturday we finished
Skiing Opportunities around New England
By Mike Guilbault, Assistant Sports Director
Phot
os K
en W
atso
n
Left - Mike Guilbault with Tom Beadle, the WSC Veterans Choice Award winner.Right - Life member Roland Fillion of Lincoln, RI honing his skills on the HOC sit ski.
May 2014Cord Word
www.nepva.org 7
VA New England Healthcare System invites you
to participate in the 2014 Summer Sports
Clinic in Providence Rhode Island, July 21th through
the 25th, 2014. This event promotes rehabilitation by
instructing Veterans with disabilities in adaptive sports.
WHO is invited to participate?Participation is open to male and female military service
veterans with spinal cord injuries, orthopedic amputation,
visual impairments, neurological problems, and other dis-
abilities. The application includes a general medical infor-
mation section. All disabilities are subject to review by the
Summer Sports Clinic’s program directors and medical offi-
cer. Their decisions are final.
WHAT is the weekly schedule like, and what activities do we participate in? • July21,2013-Registration,TeamAssignments,Field
Events and Rockwall Climbing, Opening Reception,
Team Meetings
• July22-Sailing,Cycling,Kayaking,WaterSkiing
• July23-Sailing,Cycling,Kayaking,WaterSkiing
• July24–DeepSeaFishing,Yoga/Fitness,TexasHold
‘Em, Awards Banquet
• July25-CheckOut
HOW do I register?Veterans can apply to participate by completing all elements
of the registration packet. Only fully complete applications
received by June 1, 2014 will be accepted.
Download an application at www.nepva.org
2014 Summer Sports Clinicup at Waterville Valley Ski Resort. A newer skier and NEPVA member Roland
Fillion also has developed a passion for skiing, and with long time skier from
CT. Ed Dusick, and myself, NEPVA had three members joining the other
invitees for this great ski event. I was pleased to see old friends there along
with meeting new ones. I can say I was very impressed with each and every
program at these mountains and had a great time.
I’d be remiss in not thanking not only each program but also Disabled Sports
USA who gave the grant which funded the weekend. We all stayed in a cen-
trally located hotel which allowed for a short commute to each resort, and
the shuttle bus would bring us to the resort of the day! I can only say it was
three days getting new snow daily and spent skiing great mountains with
super instructors and great company. More info can be found searching the
web for contact info etc.
I must acknowledge and thank them for the amazing time and great oppor-
tunity they gave my fellow members and I, along with all the other veterans
that were invited who also enjoyed the wonderful event. Loon Mountain
has New England Disabled Sports running their adaptive program and the
Waterville Valley Adaptive Sports Program runs the program at Waterville
while Bretton Woods is also run by a top notch adaptive program with many
great instructors and volunteers! So for those of you who may like to try
your first adaptive ski events, I can highly recommend each of the three pro-
grams who hosted the three day event along with Gunstock Mountain and
their program as options.
For those of you in Maine you have two great options, Maine Handicapped
Skiing has great instructors, equipment and some fantastic ski resorts. They
operate all week at Sunday River but also run a program at Sugarloaf Moun-
tain on Saturday and Sunday. The beauty of skiing Maine with the MHS
program is (last I’ve gone and not been told of any changes) there everyone
skis for free!! I hope this sparks your interest for next season and gives my
fellow ski bum veterans more options. Fishing and kayak season is here;
however, after completing this article I’ll be heading to Maine to chase more
snow both this weekend and next. Be well and get outside and have some
fun since there are
so many activities
available to us all.
Go Bruins and Red
Sox!!!
FREE TO MEMBER
for contact info on these items
Call ThE NEPVa OFFiCE
invacare handcycleX-cellerator with Quad handles
invacare a4 Manual wheelchair16 x 16” seat
Pick up in Marshfield, Ma
Cord Word May 2014
www.nepva.org8
PVA NEWS
PurposeThe Paralyzed Veterans of America
(PVA) primary goal has been to assist
its members and their families in
improving the quality of their lives.
This goal has been addressed through a
variety of activities, including the estab-
lishment of the Educational Scholarship
Program. This program assists PVA
members and their immediate family
members by providing scholarship
funds to help with a post-secondary
education.
PVA will award scholarships in the
amount of $1,000 to full-time students
and $500 to part-time students for an
academic year.
Eligibility• ApplicantmustbeeitheraPVA
member, the spouse of a PVA
member, or an unmarried child
(under 24 years of age) who is depen-
dent (as defined by the IRS) on the
member for principal support.
• Applicantmustbeacitizenofthe
United States.
• Applicantmustbeacceptedand
enrolled as a full-time or part-time
student in an accredited US college
or university.
• Previousawardrecipientsmayapply.
Submission ProcessIndividuals who wish to apply for the
scholarship program can download the
application at www.pva.org or request
an application be mailed to them via
telephone (800) 424-8200 Ext. 776,
or via e-mail [email protected]. Com-
pleted applications MUST be returned
to PVA NO LATER THAN June 17,
2014. Late applications will not be
accepted, no exceptions. In addition,
any incomplete applications will not
be considered.
For more details, please visit www.pva.org
PVA EDUCATIONAL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM
Veterans With ALS Now Automatically Approved for VA Housing Modification Grants
Veterans with confirmed service-connected amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) now automatically qualify for grants to help
pay for the costs of building, buying or adapting a home, according to a policy change the Depart-ment of Veterans Affairs announced March 19, 2014.
The policy change means that veterans with ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s disease, are now presumed medically eligible for specially adapted housing grants up to a maximum of $67,555 to help pay for costs associated with constructing or modifying a home to meet their needs, or to purchase adapted homes or pay mortgages on homes that are already adapted.
The process for applying for specially adapted housing grants can be long and cumbersome, largely because the VA has to review plans, request bids from contractors and evaluate the
potential for the home to be adapted.
The long process has been especially challeng-ing for veterans with ALS, who previously did not qualify for the benefits until their condition worsened. “ALS patients tend to deteriorate very rapidly; it’s not a gradual onset for the most part,” said James Fischl, associate director of field ser-vices operations at Paralyzed Veterans of America. “The paperwork involved for specially adapted housing can be very cumbersome. Now they can start that paperwork early and get an idea of what they’re going to need before their condition deteriorates to the point where they can’t get along without it.”
The VA estimates the policy change will save approximately 12 months in the overall process of applying for a specially adapted housing grant. Fischl said the process for receiving SAH grants would remain lengthy, depending on which area
of the country a veteran lives, the degree of modi-fications and the contractors available. Still, being able to initiate the process before a veteran’s ALS condition worsens is a key step, he added. The VA in 2008 established a presumption of service connection for veterans diagnosed with ALS at any time after separation from service. The change made ALS veterans immediately eligible for monthly VA disability compensation benefits. In 2012, the VA amended its disability rating scale to assign a 100-percent disability rating for any veteran who has service-connected ALS.
Veterans with an ALS diagnosis can contact Para-lyzed Veterans of America to initiate and take care of all of the paperwork for the SAH grant, Fischl said.
“We are very grateful this has finally occurred,” Fischl said. “It’s a blessing for the veterans who need the help.”
May 2014Cord Word
www.nepva.org 9
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Call 800-886-9247 www.NewEnglandWheels.com
New England Wheels has been serving the mobility needs of the Northeast for over 30 years. We salute your service, and are proud to serve you with the best of accessible vans and mobility services.
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Visit frankwebb.com for hours and directions.
With dozens of high-quality brands, Frank Webb’s Bath & Lighting Centers are the showrooms of the F.W. Webb Company, the largest plumbing supplier in the Northeast.
This means more products, expertise and value in bath and kitchen plumbing fixtures and lighting.
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are not mutually exclusive.Accessible living & style
Cord Word May 2014
www.nepva.org
OurNine Month Drawing
APRIL winners
$50Richard Boucher
Ludlow, MA
$25Bill Dipanni
Narragansett, RI
$25William Stavrakos
Bay Shore, NY
10
RISE Above Paralysis GalaBy Wayne Ross, NEPVA Vice President
On Saturday March 22nd, the Greater Boston Chap-
ter of the National Spinal Cord Injury Association
held its annual RISE Above Paralysis Gala at the
Hyatt Harborside Hotel. RISE is an acronym for Reaching
Inspiring Supporting Empowering. It was an exceptional eve-
ning bringing together over 200 individuals with spinal cord
injury, family members, health care professionals and corpo-
rate sponsors to celebrate the Greater Boston Chapters work
over the past year. As a representative of the NEPVA I wore a
large identification tag displaying my name and chapter affili-
ation. I had several people, at least one officer, express how
they appreciated support from our organization. I will plan to
attend again next year for a showing of mutual support which
goes a long way.
The 13th Spinal Cord Injury Interdisciplinary Conference
The 13th Spinal Cord Injury Interdisciplinary Con-
ference was held at the VA Boston Healthcare
System on April 7, 2014. Nursing students from a
variety of local nursing schools attended this event. Wayne
Ross was a guest speaker who
discussed “Spinal Cord Injury
from a Patient Perspective”.
Special thanks to Wayne and
the NEPVA for providing the
light fare breakfast buffet.
Pictured left to right: Kelly D Skin-ner (SCI Clinical Specialist) Wayne Ross and Kysa Christie (Clinical Psychologist)
Held Thursdays in the W. Roxbury VA – A2 Day Room @ 12:30 pm
5/1 Sexual Health Maggi Budd, PhD
5/8 Infectious Disease Ernie Robillard, RN
5/15 “Meducation” Pharmacy Staff
5/22 IREST Joan Lynch, RN
5/29 Adaptive Sports Jenny McLaughlin, Rec. Therapy
6/5 My Healthe Vet Tracey Presley, LICSW
SCI/D PATIENT EDUCATION SERIES
May 2014Cord Word
www.nepva.org 11
© 2012 SleepSafe Beds
FirstAdjustableBed.com | 866.852.2337
Designed, Built and Approved for our Heros.
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Peggy TownsendTRG Townsend Rep Group
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OUR MISSION
To design and build the ultimate adjustable beds
for medical, home care and wellness needs.
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To deliver outstanding products and excellent service.
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CONTACT – John Liston 401-480-8229
Cord Word May 2014
www.nepva.org12
NEPVA Official Nomination Form – FY 2015
This is an official Nomination Form as approved by the Executive Board of the Paralyzed Veterans of America, New England
Chapter.Yournominees must be life members of New England PVA.
INSTRUCTIONS:
Fill in the names of your nominees. Return this form to the NEPVA office (address below). To be valid, this form
must be signed by you and filed with the Secretary in the NEPVA office before 4:30 pm, June 3, 2014.
Nominees For Officers
PRESIDENT:___________________________________________________________
VICE PRESIDENT:______________________________________________________
SECRETARY:__________________________________________________________
TREASURER:__________________________________________________________
Nominees For Executive Board
1.____________________________ 5.______________________________
2.____________________________ 6.______________________________
3.____________________________ 7.______________________________
4.____________________________
This official Nomination Form must be signed by the member making the nomination(s) in order to be valid. A letter
will be sent to all persons nominated as candidates to sign acknowledging acceptance. This will be done by the Secretary.
____________________________________ _________________________________
Print NEPVA Member’s Name NEPVA Member’s Signature
Mail Form to: NEPVA, 1600 Providence Hwy., Ste 143, Walpole, MA 02081
May 2014Cord Word
www.nepva.org 13
“(Ride-Away) knew what to do. Dave made all the phone calls to the VA... saving me $25,000!”
Steve poses here with his Ride-Away Sales Consultant, Dave Qualey, of the Londonderry, NH facility.
-Steve Hodgkins Malden, MA
It’s no wonder why Ride-Away customers remain so loyal — Superior Support! Ride-Away — America’s #1 provider of modified vehicles for people with disabilities.
• VetsMobileOps Program• VA assistance support• All vehicle trade-ins accepted• 24/7 Roadside assistance• QAP Certified factory trained technicians
888-Ride-Away (888-743-3292)
www.Ride-Away.com
Uro Bag® System Reusable urinary leg bag w/ T-Valve release port Unisex 2-Pocket leg bag holder undergarment
No Uncomfortable Leg Straps! • No constriction of circulation to lower leg. • No painful skin ulcers or red marks around leg • Holds leg bag securely on leg without leg straps. • Used with ALL catheters (including nephrostomy)
Which One Would You Choose?
Uro Bag System Leg Straps Adult Diaper
Package Contains: 1 – Reusable rubber (22 oz.) leg bag (Made in USA) 1 – Tubing w/connector (Made in USA) 1 - Unisex leg bag holder (S thru 3X) – (Made in India)
“The comfort and support I achieve with Uro Bag System is perfect for my
active lifestyle.” - David Wagner Gold & Silver Medalist – Quad Tennis
Uro Bag System is currently available at selected VA Hospitals and Clinics. If your VA location is not offering the URO BAG SYSTEM, please have them contact Uro Concepts Inc.
(830) 997-8025 - [email protected]. www.uroconcepts.com Patented product of Uro Concepts Inc.
Medicare Approved HCPCS #A5112
DAPA Listed
Cord Word May 2014
www.nepva.org14
MobilityAdaptive
Equipment
VOTED #1IN CUSTOMER
SERVICE
LARGEST RAMPVANINVENTORY AT ONE
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Welcome To
Free Veterans Maintenance Program*
We work with the VA for you. New van upgrades every 2 years saving
you $25,000 on average and sometimes very little out of pocket.
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*Please call for details and qualifi cations
1-800-311-2849
If you can’t come to uswe’ll come to you
LIFETIMEWARRANTY(Call or visit us for
more information)
May 2014Cord Word
www.nepva.org 15
Enjoyboth hands on the wheel !
KEMPF is a NMEDA member.
Visit: www.kempf-usa.com to find videos and com-ments from users and to request a quotation.
Call Toll-free: 1-888-4-KEMPF-US (453-6738) for a free DVD and free brochure.
DARIOS is VA accepted.KEMPF features nationwide free at-home pick-up and delivery and at-home service.
Digital Accelerator Ringoptimized for speed
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Leominster, MA
Permit No. 17
New England PVA1600 Providence Highway, Suite 143Walpole, MA 02081
tel: 508 660-1181 800 660-1181fax: 508 668-9412
Email: [email protected]
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
NEPVA EVENTSMay 9-11 – 7th Annual NEPVA Billiard Tournament Breakaway Billiards, Clinton, MAMay 27 – NEPVA Golf Tournament June 7 – NEPVA Bass Trail, Charles River, BostonJune 14-16 – NEPVA 2nd Annual TrapshootSept. 5-8 – NEPVA Bass Trail, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH
VA / PVA SPONSORED EVENTSMay 17 – Marlboro Fishing Trip (contact: [email protected])
June 7 – Hudson Fishing Trip (contact: [email protected])
June 13 – Monument Beach Sportsman Club shootingJuly 21-25 – New England Summer Sports ClinicAugust 11-18 – National Veterans Wheelchair Games
August 23 – Bellingham Lake Hiawatha Fishing/PicnicSept. 19 – Shawmee ShootingOct. 3 – Bass River Shooting
2014 Upcoming Events