Highlights from PVA Awareness MonthPresident’s Report 3 Executive Director’s Report 4 Service Officer’s Report 5 Sports & Recreation 6 Summer Sports Clinic 7 PVA News 8 Patient

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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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.

ASSURED

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Peggy TownsendTRG Townsend Rep Group

Cell: 210-867-6562Fax: [email protected]

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OUR MISSION

To design and build the ultimate adjustable beds

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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

LOCATION IN SOUTHERNNEW ENGLAND!

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.

-VETERAN SPECIALS--VETERAN SPECIALS--VETERAN SPECIALS-

www.amemobility.com1551 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771

*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