Inside What`s NEPVA hosts PVA/NWPA Billiard Tournament

Transcription

CORD
May 2011
T he N ewsletter
of the
WORD
N ew E ngland C hapter P aralyzed V eterans
a member chapter of the paralyzed veterans of america
–
of
A merica
Vol. LXI, #5
chartered by the congress of the united states
NEPVA hosts PVA/NWPA Billiard Tournament
What’s
Inside
President’s
Report
3
Government
Relations Report
4
National Director’s
Report
5
Sports &
Recreation
6
New England
VA News
8
VA News
9
Service Officers
Report
10
Washington
Update
12
By Brad Carlson, Sports Director
O
ur PVA/NWPA National Wheelchair
Billiard Tournament was held in
Nashua, New Hampshire on April
15th-17th at the Boston Billiard Club. Though
the turn out was not what I expected, the
competition was great! The matches started
out with a race to seven and it was double
elimination. One thing I have to say is if you
lose your first match, it is a long day on Saturday
to make it back to the A flight.
On Saturday morning everything started out
with a bang, literally. The Nashua and Westford
Fire Departments came in and did an incredible
job with their pipes and drums blaring along
with the VFW of Nashua Color Guard to
post the Colors for the weekend. We were very
fortunate to have nine year old singing sensation
Christopher Duffley (who happens to be blind
and autistic). He sang the National Anthem
and there wasn’t a dry eye in the
house.
Saturday’s matches lasted up
until 7:30 p.m. A comedy
show was held at 8:00 p.m. by
the “King of Comedy” Dick
Doherty. Festivities concluded
with an auction of items
donated to us by Budwieser
of Nashua. The tournament
began again on Sunday at 10:00
a.m. and finished around 6:00
p.m. with plaques and trophies given to the top
finishers.
The top finishers in the tournament in the top
flight were: First Place - Charles Interrante;
Second Place - Peter Lorange; Third Place
- Brad Carlson. The B Flight winners were:
First Place - Mo Chapman; Second Place - Sam
Penney; Third Place - Brent Cote; Fourth Place
- Paul Kenney; Fifth Place - Peter Moore; Sixth
Place - Ron Estrella; Seventh Place - Walter
Farrington.
I’d like to thank our sponsors for a wonderful
Billiard Tournament -- Boston Billiards,
Budwieser of Nashua, Nashua VFW, Nashua
Fire Department, Christopher Duffley, Dick
Doherty, and a special thanks to all of our
volunteers.
continued on page Members of the Nashua and Westford Fire Departments with
their pipes and drums.
May 2011
Cord Word
PARALYZED VETERANS of AMERICA
NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER
NEPVA ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICE
1600 PROVIDENCE HIGHWAY-SUITE 143
WALPOLE, MA 02081
TEL: (508) 660-1181, 1-(800) 660-1181
FAX: (508) 668-9412; e-mail: info@nepva.org
web: www.nepva.org
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
NEPVA OFFICERS
EXECUTIVE BOARD
President, Craig Cascella
Vice President, Debra Freed
Secretary, Debra Freed
Treasurer, Charles Schena
National Director, Craig Cascella
John Brako
Brad Carlson
Walter Farrington
Peter Moore
Wayne Ross
Dustin Soroka
Jim Wallack
Neal Williams
PROGRAM DIRECTORS
Development Director, Craig Cascella
Membership Officer, Craig Cascella
MS Liaison, John Brako
Community Outreach, Mike Guilbault
NEPVA Peer Mentor Rep., Mike Guilbault
Scholarship Chairman, Craig Cascella
Sports Director, Brad Carlson
Assistant Sports Director, Mike Guilbault
Bass Trail Liaison, Jim Wallack
Web Master, Thomas Dodd
Women Veterans’ Liaison, Debra Freed
Volunteer Chairman, Judy Goldstein
April Winners
$50
Lois Collette
Gardner, MA
$25
Dennis Christman
New Hyde Park, NY
$25
Richard Frano
Southington, CT
REMEMBRANCE
IN
We deeply regret the passing
of our Chapter Member:
Thomas M. Rizzo
Hospital Liaisons
Brockton, MA VAMC, Craig Cascella
West Roxbury, MA VAMC, Craig Cascella
Northampton, MA VAMC, Tim Kelly
Providence, RI VAMC, Craig Cascella
Manchester, NH VAMC, Walter Farrington
West Haven, CT VAMC, Richard Frano
White River Jct, VT VAMC, Al Fenton
Togus, ME VAMC, Neal Williams
STAFF
Cord Word Editor, Judy Goldstein
Government Relations Director, Debra Freed
Administrative Assistant, Judy Goldstein
Bookkeeper, Jeri Farinella
Cord Word Design, Harley Freedman
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.
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
2
and extend our heartfelt sympathy
to family and friends.
NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICE
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
BOSTON VA REGIONAL OFFICE
J.F.K. FEDERAL BUILDING - Room - 1575 C
BOSTON, MA 02203
TEL: (617) 303-1395 & 1-800-795-3607
Fax: (617) 723-7467
Sr. Benefits Advocate, Joseph E. Badzmierowski
Senior Secretary, Ann Marie Wallace
PVA National Service Office
Togus, VARO, 1 VA Center
Bldg 248, Room 112
Augusta, ME 04330
Serving Maine, New Hampshire and Vermont
TEL:(207) 621-7394, Fax: (207) 621-4829
Toll Free: 866-795-1911
National Service Officer II, John Stansbury
Secretary, Wendy Glidden
www.nepva.org
Cord Word
May 2011
President’s Report
T
his may seem repetitive
but once again, “When is
spring going to arrive?”
While of course spring is the current
season, I know I am not the only
New Englander asking this question.
Hopefully, spring will indeed arrive very
soon and bring with it some warmer
weather. I have recently returned from
Washington D.C. where I attended
PVA’s Government Relations Seminar,
which included visits to Capitol Hill
and meeting with our respective
Congressional leaders and/or their
aides. Government Relations Director
Debra Freed has an associated article
related to the visit in this publication.
PVA combined both the Government
Relations Seminar with the Annual
PVA Mid-Winter BOD Meeting and as
the Chapter’s National Director, I have
an article regarding the Mid-Winter
BOD in this publication.
On April 13th, I had an appointment
at West Roxbury VA. Upon arrival
and parking near the entrance of the
facility, I noticed the VA Police standing
outside my driver’s side door/window. I
rolled down my window and was asked
by the Officer if I was an SCI patient.
I answered that I was and showed the
Officer the red designated placard
which authorizes one to park in the SCI
designated parking areas. The Officer
soon asked me if I was the NEPVA
President and then apologized for any
inconvenience. We shared a laugh or
two and I assured him he was not at
all inconveniencing me and thanked
him for checking if I was authorized to
www.nepva.org
by Craig C. Cascella
NEPVA President
park in the designated area. As most of
us know, patient parking is generally
at a premium at many VA Medical
Centers. Many VA Medical Centers
have designated SCI parking and
require permits to park in the associated
spaces. For Chapter members who are
SCI patients and do not yet have a
designated placard, please visit the SCI
office on A-2 and/or visit the VA Police
Department to register your vehicle
to be in compliance with the facility
regulations.
While also at West Roxbury that day,
I crossed paths with Bruce Pierce,
who works with the Recreation
Department. Bruce mentioned to me
that he had “good news” and he then
showed me some small electronic
devices. The equipment was computer
devices which would allow wireless
Wi-Fi internet access on both the
SCI Unit and AG Unit (ground
floor). Wireless high-speed internet
has been a long-requested item by
in-patients who spent much of their
time in bed recovering or others
staying for associated appointments.
An individual, who has requested to
remain anonymous, has donated the
funds necessary to provide the service
to veterans and in-patients on the
mentioned units. Much thanks to the
anonymous donor.
Staff; as well as to
listen to or address
any concerns they
may have.
Lastly, the
Department
of Veterans
Affairs has awarded a grant totaling
$1,040,000 to the Commonwealth of
Massachusetts for Federal assistance
toward the cost of replacing windows,
Phase 2 of the project at the Soldiers’
Home in Holyoke, MA.
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.
On the 20th, I attended a Chapter
sponsored pizza party at the West
Roxbury VA on the SCI Unit. It is
NEPVA Board members Neal Williams
always a good time to socialize with
(left) and Dustin Soroka head to Capitol
the in-patients, volunteers, and the VA Hill for Congressional meetings.
3
May 2011
Cord Word
Government Relations
by Debra Freed
Government Relations Director
Follow Up
H
ello everyone. It really does
look like Spring is on the
rise. The daffodils and
crocuses are popping up everywhere.
Hopefully, everyone is doing well. Hey,
the best thing I can say for myself is so
far no Code Greens.
To recap a little about our recent visits
to Washington D.C, I was amazed
to learn that a number of aides that
I spoke with were familiar with the
fact that the Tri-Care beneficiary
age was raised from 22 to 26 but the
same increase in age limits was not
afforded to those who are CHAMPVA
beneficiaries. For those who may not
be familiar with the differences, TriCare is for active duty military while
CHAMPVA is for complete and total
service connected veterans. Your
National Service Officer is the best one
to assist you in determining eligibility
but NEPVA will continue to follow up
on this and the other issues recently
presented over the coming months.
Although a government shutdown was
potentially averted for the remainder
of 2011, it remains unclear what will
happen for 2012. The President’s budget
came out in mid-February and as is
custom, the Independent Budget (IB)
also came out. It is a comprehensive
budget and policy document created by
veterans for veterans. Veterans Service
Organizations such as AMVETS, DAV,
PVA, and VFW along with a number of
others deem it necessary to provide the
best possible healthcare for our nation’s
veterans. These veterans’ organizations
have been putting together the
Independent Budget since 1986. For
the past couple of years, the current
administration has either mirrored or
surpassed requested funding levels in
the IB. There remains great concern
over what the future will hold for the
VA as a whole and even more so for
the Healthcare portion of it. Mind
you, it may not help to rail against the
VA in such times, but there remains
little doubt the VA Healthcare System
is truly distinct and provides greater
specialty health benefits over its civilian
counterparts. If anyone has any interest,
you should check it out at www.
independentbudget.org.
The conundrum
that federal
funding seems to
present makes it
unwise to become
too complacent
concerning
the VA or its
existence. Nor is
4
it wise to become
complacent with
Social Security
Benefits. This
too was a point
paper and remains
a very valid issue as Congress has
tried and may continue to try and tie
Deficit Reduction to Social Security.
Remember, Social Security is something
many pay into from wages earned and
yes, as of 1984, both Representatives
and Senators pay into Social Security
so they may be affected by what they
do. Please remember there are three
different Social Security programs:
Retirement Benefits (SS), Disability
Benefits (SSDI), and for those who
have not earned enough work credits to
receive benefits from either of the other
two programs, there is the Insurance
benefit (SSI).
How can one follow up when
information changes almost by the hour
and the same story has ten or even a
hundred different versions? Without
driving oneself crazy, www.thomas.gov
is a good website. Another good website
is www.federalregister.gov. They are
better maintained than most other sites
and are really useful.
Finally, on a wheelchair sports related
note, I participated in the Fred Doty/
Anna Korchak Bowling Classic, at least
that is what they will name it next year.
Out of seventeen in the B division, I
placed 5th after twelve games. The rollcontinued on page 12
www.nepva.org
Cord Word
May 2011
National Director’s Report
A
s I mentioned in the President’s
Report, I attended PVA’s
Annual Mid-Winter Board
Meeting in the Washington D.C.
area. Unfortunately, I can assure you
the weather a little further south from
New England wasn’t really much better
than back home. PVA conducts many
different forms of business during this
particular meeting, such as discussion of
past, recent, and future activities as well
as PVA policies and procedures. Many
of PVA’s staff attended the meeting and
conveyed their reports and answered
questions. The PVA Board of Directors
are able to ask questions that are
relative to veterans, current and future
programs, and many other important
issues affecting PVA members and the
disabled community. Some highlights
of the meeting are:
Mike Delaney, a PVA Past President,
was selected as the PVA Speedy Award
recipient in the member category.
Max Starkloff was selected as the PVA
Speedy Award recipient (posthumously)
in the non- member category.
Mr. W. Scott Gould, Deputy Secretary,
Veterans Affairs, was a guest speaker
and touched on many issues and
concerns facing veterans.
While the economy certainly has been
a difficult issue for many individuals,
many non-profits have also been feeling
the brunt of the difficult times and
some have either closed or merged with
others. PVA’s Fundraising endeavors
www.nepva.org
overall have been successful thus far this
fiscal year.
With that in mind, PVA is always
looking for various fundraising
diversification to assist its members,
veterans, and the disabled community.
PVA has been pursuing Government
grants which may afford PVA the
chance to build relationships with the
VA, other Government agencies, and
other non-profit organizations. The
Government is setting priorities for
veterans, disabilities, and healthcare
issues; which provide PVA with
opportunities to fund its many
programs through grants. These grants
are budget relieving to PVA, offer PVA
a competitive advantage over other
VSO’s (veteran service organizations),
and strengthen PVA’s programs,
expertise, and assists with PVA’s
mission.
An example of grants received and
put to use is with the PVA Vocational
Rehabilitation program. As you may
know, PVA has a Voc. Rehab office at
the West Roxbury VA on the ground
floor near the entrance. For more
information on the Boston Voc. Rehab
program, contact PVA Voc. Rehab
Counselor Ken Lipton at 857-203-6091.
Sports – there are many PVA sponsored
events this year. These include
the National Veterans Wheelchair
Games, the PVA National Trap
Shoot Circuit, PVA Bass Tour, PVA/
NWPA National Wheelchair Billiards
Tournament Series, PVA/AWBA
by Craig C. Cascella
National Director
Bowling Tournament Series, and the
PVA Health & Wellness Program. For
more information on where and when
these PVA sponsored events are to take
place and participation requirements
visit PVA’s web site (www.pva.org) and
review the Sports section. Of local note,
NEPVA has or will be participating in
three PVA sponsored sporting events.
The Chapter recently participated in
the 5th Annual PVA/NWPA National
Wheelchair Billiards Tournament,
which was held in Nashua, New
Hampshire. NEPVA will be the host
Chapter for the 50th Annual AWBA
Bowling Tournament this June at
Westgate Lanes in Brockton, MA.
Lastly, the Chapter will be hosting and
participating in the PVA sponsored
Bass Trail at Lake Winnipesaukee, New
Hampshire, this September. For more
information on the bowling and bass
fishing tournaments contact our office
or visit our web site.
As you may know, PVA publishes the
magazines Paraplegia News (PN) and
SPORTS ‘N SPOKES. While PN has
also been available online, SPORTS
‘N SPOKES has not been available,
that is, until now. A unique feature to
the web site is that PVA has integrated
a language interpretation program,
which will permit foreign subscribers
and American readers who may speak
another language, to translate the text
into the language of their choosing via
a language selection box on the home
page. Visit www.sportsnspokes.com to
view the publication online.
continued on page 12
5
May 2011
Cord Word
Sports & Recreation
continued from page 1
I
Nine year old singing sensation Christopher
Duffley, poses with his Dad and Brad after
singing the national anthem.
by Brad Carlson
Sports Director
n other sports news, we are also
having a series of Hand Cycle
Clinics which Ralph Marche
is running. He can be reached
at: 857-364-5069. Handcycling
clinics will be held every Monday
throughout the summer from 5-7 p.m.
at the Brockton VAMC. These clinics
are co-sponsored by PVA, NEPVA
and Northeast Passage. A special
Handcycling Clinic will be held on
June 17th beginning at 10 a.m., also at
the Brockton VAMC (Bldg 6-Gym).
This event will also include Health and
Nutrition information. The June 17th
event is co-sponsored by the Paralympic
Committee.
Also don’t forget our AWBA National
Bowling Tournament in June and the
PVA National Bass Trail Tournament in
First Place winner Charles Interrante
September. For more information visit
our website or contact the Chapter office.
2011 NEPVA Bass Trail Schedule
Recreation Therapist Joan Lynch with
Sam Penney.
May 21 Point Sebago Resort, Sebago Lake, Maine
June 11
Charles River Boston, MA.
July 23 Slatersville Res @ the Island Club, Smithfield, RI.
August 20
Lake St. Catherine, Wells, Vermont
Sept. 10 & 11 Lake Winnipesaukee, Camp Robindel
Moultonborough, NH & TOC
6
Second Place winner Peter Lorange
Sept. 16–18 National PVA Bass Tournament
Lake Winnipesaukee, Camp Robindel
Moultonborough, NH
Any questions may be directed to:
Tiny LaFontaine(H) 781-935-2480 (C) 978-479-8147
Jim Marino (H) 978-365-3112 (C) 508-523-5668
Call Jim for Reservations if staying @ Point Sebago Resort…
Bob Soupy Campbell (H) 781-935-2266
See www.nepva.org for other bass trail info or to sign up.
www.nepva.org
Cord Word
May 2011
SECOND ANNUAL
PVA SAILING CLINIC
June 18-19, 2011
Newport, Rhode Island
Misson
To enable a group of disabled veterans to experience sailing in
Newport, RI, through Sail To Prevail – The National Disabled Sailing
Program. The weekend clinic will teach the fundamentals of sailing and
provide hands-on participation aboard sailboats designed specifically
for the disabled.
Location
Sailing is operated from our docks at Fort Adams, Newport, RI.
Hotel accommodations are provided for those traveling to Newport.
Please contact Alex Egan at Sail To Prevail to discuss specific needs or
to make reservations.
Sailing
Sailing will start at 1200 on Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June
19th and finish at approximately 1600. Those with no sailing experience
are encouraged to join for one or both days. Participants who need
assistance are boarded onto the sailboats using a system of transfer lifts.
They are then safely secured into specially designed pivoting seats
allowing them the freedom of movement to sail the boat. Veterans with
any type of disability are encouraged to participate, including but not
limited to paraplegics, quadriplegics and amputees.
Weather Constraints
If the weather is unfavorable, Newport offers many other exciting
activities. Options include a tour of the Naval War College Museum,
historical mansions of Newport, Museum of Yachting, and numerous
taverns and restaurants.
Contact Alex Egan 401-849-8898
www.nepva.org
7
May 2011
Cord Word
New England VAMC News
Dr. Cabot Wants to Meet YOU!
New Hampshire SCI-D Veterans & Companions
Invitation to May 19th 2011 Luncheon
Dr. Cabot specializes in the treatment
and management of patients with
Multiple Sclerosis at Upper
Valley Neurology in
Concord, NH. In contrast
to Spinal Cord Injury, MS
can be a more unpredictable
and progressive disease. This
dynamic speaker will give
some basic background MS
information and then move
on to discuss some of the new emerging
therapies. There will be consideration
of benefit/risk profiles of treatments, as
well as the varied individual responses
that can occur. Though there is no
cure, there has been great
progress in the past 20 years
and much hope for the
future. All SCI-D Veterans
and significant others are
welcome to attend and
learn more about MS! Dr.
Cabot would like to answer
your questions and hear
how each of you manages to rise above
personal challenges and live each day to
the fullest!
People with SCI Wanted for Exercise Study
If you are a man, age 20-40, with a spinal cord injury that left your
legs paralyzed, you may be eligible for a new exercise-focused
research study. Based at Boston’s Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital,
the study aims to see if electrically-stimulated rowing can slow down
or reverse the weakening of bones in some people with SCI. The
rowing program – 3 days a week for 12 months – is free of charge.
Participants receive up to $300 to help pay for transportation/parking.
They also receive a physical, bone scans, and blood tests. For more
information on this study, funded by the Department of Defense,
contact BonesSCI@Partners.org or call Cathy, 617-573-2197.
8
Early registration and cancellation
calls are appreciated!
Please Register By Tuesday May 17th
603-624-4366 Ext 6054
Location: Manchester VAMC,
basement level Solarium
Date: Thursday, May 19th
Check-in: 11:45am
Lunch: 12 noon
Presenter: 12:15
March Caregiver Meeting
Last December, a survey was sent to all
our SCI-D Clinic Veterans to determine
interest in a caregiver focused meeting.
Thank-you to all who responded! The
overwhelming majority requested that
the meeting be quarterly, continue the
luncheon format with an educational
component, and to have the meeting
include both caregiver and Veteran.
There were 14 attendees registered
for the March meeting. We truly
appreciated the one cancellation call.
Only 3 attendees (1 Veteran) actually
came to the luncheon. Due to the poor
response, we will not be doing caregiver
focused meetings at this time – unless
we hear from you all that there is a
need. Our apologies to Patty Farrington
who brought enough lunch for 12! No
matter, it was a fun time, with much
sharing, camaraderie and lots of food!
In summary, it is understood that
“stuff” happens, but please let us know
if you need to cancel after registering
for a meeting so that lunch can be
planned accordingly.
www.nepva.org
Cord Word
May 2011
VA News
VA Infection Control Practices
Featured in New England Journal of Medicine
A
Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) initiative that
reduced the global health
care issue of methicillin resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA)
infections by more than 60 percent in
intensive care units (ICU) across the
Nation is featured in the latest issue of
the New England Journal of Medicine.
It reports data from the first three
years of the initiative that is now in
its fourth year of implementation, and
which continues to be associated with
decreased rates of MRSA infections.
“This is a landmark initiative for VA
and health care in general,” said VA’s
Under Secretary for Health, Dr. Robert
Petzel. “No one should have to worry
about acquiring an illness or infection
from the place they trust to deliver their
care. I am proud that VA is leading the
way.”
The article reviews a bundle of four
infection control practices that marked
a dramatic improvement in preventing
hospital-acquired MRSA infections.
MRSA infections are a serious global
health care issue and are difficult to
treat because the bacterium is often
resistant to many antibiotics.
The prevention practices consist of
patient screening programs for MRSA,
contact precautions for hospitalized
patients found to have MRSA, and
hand hygiene reminders with readily
available hand sanitizer stations placed
www.nepva.org
strategically in common areas, patient
wards, and specialty clinics throughout
medical centers. The strategy also
involved creating a culture that
promotes infection prevention and
control as everyone’s responsibility.
“These are the types of results hospitals
should be striving for,” said Dr. John
Jernigan, chief of the interventions
and evaluation section in the division
of healthcare quality promotion at the
Centers for Disease Control. “The
bottom line is that MRSA prevention
and control is possible.”
“MRSA is a serious threat to patient
health that can be minimized with
a few achievable strategies,” said Dr.
Rajiv Jain,
More than
VA’s chief
1.7 million
No one should have to
consultant
screening tests
worry about acquiring an
for specialty
for MRSA
illness
or
infection
from
care
were done
the place they trust to
services
on Veteran
and lead
patients
deliver their care.
author of
during
Dr. Robert Petzel,
Under
Secretary
for
Health
the study.
the period
“I am
reported in
extremely grateful I work for an agency
the analysis. VA operates the largest
with 152 integrated medical centers
integrated health care system in the
across the Nation so these strategies
United States with more than 1,000
could be implemented, assessed, and
medical facilities throughout the United
ultimately, shown to work on a vast
States serving more than six million
scale of many different environments.
Veterans a year. To review the article in
These results mean better health care
the New England Journal of Medicine,
for Veterans and a way for the people
go to http://www.nejm.org/doi/
they defended to also benefit from this
full/10.1056/NEJMoa1007474.
effort in the future.”
‘
’
(left photo) NEPVA Board members Neal Williams (front) and Dustin Soroka (rear
center) met with aides of Congressman Michael Michaud (ME); and (right photo)
with an aide of Congressman Barney Frank (MA).
9
May 2011
Cord Word
Service Officer’s Report
By Raul Acosta,
National Service Officer, Bronx, NY
What are the responsibilities of a National
Service Officer (NSO) at the hospital?
NSO
s are the primary point of contact between
the veteran and the Department of Veterans
Affairs (VA) for those represented by the Paralyzed Veterans
of America (PVA). The service officer meets the veteran
and ensures they are receiving the best care they are entitled
to, whether that veteran is service connected or not, and
regardless of what their current needs are.
as equipment, medications, home modifications, and home
care have been met to prevent any type of unnecessary readmission to the VA medical facility.
One of the biggest responsibilities of the NSO is to obtain
a POA from our client. The POA, or VA Form 21-22,
allows PVA to represent the veteran before the Department
of Veterans Affairs, and ensure that they are receiving the
maximum benefits that they are entitled to.
While the veteran is in the hospital setting, it is the NSO’s
responsibility to continuously check on a veteran’s condition.
They should be aware of his/her rating to verify if the
veteran’s originally rated condition has worsened making
them eligible for an increased award. The National Service
Officer can also ascertain whether the veteran may plan on
submitting any type of further claim for any new condition
he or she may not have been aware of at the time they were
initially admitted.
While in preparation for discharge from a VA medical
facility, NSOs attend Discharge Planning Meetings with
the veteran to ensure they understand what exactly their
options are and to make certain that their home needs, such
Hospital based NSOs are not located in every VA Medical
Facility, in which case your local Regional Office-based
National Service Officer would be assisting you with your
claims submission and benefits information.
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VetsMobileOps Program
VA assistance support
• All vehicle trade-ins accepted
• 24/7 Roadside assistance
• QAP Certified factory trained technicians
•
•
10
It’s no wonder why Ride-Away customers remain so loyal — 3UPERIOR3UPPORT
Ride-Away — America’s #1 provider of modified vehicles for people with disabilities.
www.nepva.org
Created: 11/7/08
Jim McCoy | 508-478-5322 | mccoygroup@comcast.net
Cord Word
May 2011
It’s
about
freedom.
With dozens of fabulous high-quality brands,
Frank Webb’s Bath 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.
Accessible living & style are not mutually exclusive.
A bathroom must be accessible, secure and supportive in order for us or our loved
ones to live comfortably. Our new Methuen showroom includes
2,000 square feet of accessible living and aging-in-place bath design
Visit our Accessible ideas, proving that accessibility doesn’t mean giving up style! Roll-in
Living Idea Center showers, walk-in tubs, comfort-height toilets, hand-held showers,
Methuen, MA 98 Lindbergh Avenue U 781-325-7140
in Methuen!
grab bars and more. Our array of products and expertise create
Exit 47 off Route 93, right onto Mystic Street.
a bath that supports privacy, comfort and dignity – all without sacrificing style.
Visit frankwebb.com for all locations & directions.
Stop by today and declare your independence.
Home to dozens of
quality brands including...
Social Security Administration
hiring in Lawrence Massachusetts
The Social Security Administration – Office of Disability Adjudication
and Review is looking to open a Hearing Office in Lawrence
Massachusetts. They anticipate the opening to be in July or August of
2011.
They will be looking to hire in several categories, but primarily Case
Technicians and Senior Case Technicians. Additionally they will need
1-2 Contact Representatives, 1 Hearing Office Systems Administrator
and 1 Administrative Assistant.
SSA is looking to focus their hiring using the special authorities
including those for Veterans, Disabled Veterans, including those with
a Schedule “A” VA certification of 30 % or more. They would like to
interview prospective candidates soon.
For more information, please contact Ken Lipton, Vocational
Rehabilitation Counselor, PVA, 857-203-6091, kenl@pva.org,
Room AG 60, West Roxbury VAMC.
www.nepva.org
11
May 2011
Cord Word
Washington Update
ACCESS BOARD
PROPOSES GUIDELINES
ON SHARED USE PATHS
On March 28, the Access Board
published a notice seeking comment
on accessibility guidelines for shared
use paths. Shared use paths are a
type of trail designed to be part of a
transportation system, providing offroad routes for a variety of users. The
primary users of shared use paths are
bicyclists and pedestrians, including
pedestrians using mobility devices such
as manual or motorized wheelchairs.
Shared use paths differ from sidewalks
and trails in that they are primarily
designed for bicyclists and others
for transportation purposes such as
commuting to work.
The Access Board specifically seeks
comment on surface characteristics
(e.g., firm, stable, slip resistant) width,
level changes, cross slopes, etc.
The new guidelines will provide
technical provisions for incorporating
accessibility into the construction or
alteration of shared use paths covered
by the Americans with Disabilities
Act and, in the case of those federally
funded, the Architectural Barriers Act.
DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE (DOJ)
REACHES AGREEMENT WITH
RHODE ISLAND ON VOTER
REGISTRATION
The Department of Justice (DOJ)
reached an agreement with the state
of Rhode Island to ensure that all
public assistance and disability service
offices offer voter registration services
to their clients. DOJ alleged that
Rhode Island violated the “National
Voter Registration Act” (NVRA or
Motor Voter) by failing to provide
voter registration services at offices that
provide state-funded programs primarily
aimed at persons with disabilities. The
NVRA requires that voter registration
materials be available at all offices that
provide essential public services, like
public assistance and motor vehicle
departments.
Under the two-year agreement, Rhode
Island will offer voter registration
opportunities to all applicants for public
assistance, WIC, rehabilitative services,
developmental disabilities services and
mental health services; train employees
on NVRA compliance; and report the
number of voter registration applications
processed by public assistance and
disability service offices.
Gov. Relations Report
off was capped at the 5th place position so I could move up, I caught two lucky
breaks and moved up to 3rd. The second place finisher was our Chapter President
who had a very good weekend but he trounced me soundly. And yes, he won fair
and square! We hope you remember to register for the 50th Anniversary PVA/
AWBA Bowling Tournament coming to Westgate Lanes in Brockton, MA on June
20-25.
12
Produced by PVA
Government Relations Department
See www.nepva.org for more
FREE TO MEMBER
Jazzy GT Select Power Chair
1 year old, leather,
battery powered, joy stick.
Pick up in Hingham, MA
Call the NEPVA office
508-660-1181
Scooter
Golden Companion 2
5 years old, good condition,
use indoors or outdoors, has
basket, headlight, horn.
Pick up in Brockton, MA
Call the NEPVA office.
Scooter
Red Hoverhound LX
508-660-1181
National Director’s Report
I had the opportunity to personally
thank PVA’s AED of Architecture
Mark Lichter and PVA’s AED of
Medical Services Lana McKenzie.
The architecture department has been
very helpful with recommendations
regarding upcoming construction
projects at the Togus, Maine, SCI
Clinic and the future Long Term Care
Unit at the Brockton, MA facility. The
Medical Services department has been
very helpful with recommendations
from their past hospital site visits to the
Togus, Brockton, and West Roxbury
facilities.
www.nepva.org
Cord Word
May 2011
HUD REPORT ON
VERY LOW-INCOME RENTERS WITH DISABILITIES
T
he U.S. Department of Housing and Urban
Development (HUD) issued a report in March
finding that approximately one million households
that include nonelderly people with disabilities had worst
case needs. “Worst case housing needs” are defined as very
low-income renters (incomes below half the median in their
area) who do not receive government housing assistance and
who either paid more than half their monthly incomes for
rent, lived in severely substandard conditions, or both.
HUD has used a less specific measure in prior surveys to
address people with disabilities, but found that in 2009,
the number and prevalence of worst case needs increased
by 140,000 to one million households of very low-income
renters with disabilities.
Specific findings include:
• In 2009, renting households of 987,000 nonelderly people
with disabilities experienced worst case needs – 38%
of the 2.6 million very low income renter households
including people with disabilities.
• Ambulatory, cognitive, and independent living limitations were the most prevalent limitations among
households with worst case needs and with people with
disabilities.
• In the households that included nonelderly people with
disabilities, 86 percent included nonelderly adults with
disabilities, 18 percent included children with disabilities, and 4 percent included both instances.
• Renter households that include nonelderly people with
disabilities are more likely than those that don’t include
people with disabilities to have very low incomes, experience worst case needs, pay more than one-half of their
income for rents, and have other housing problems, such
as living in inadequate or overcrowded housing.
• Renter households that include nonelderly people with
disabilities are two times more likely to receive housing
assistance than those that don’t include people with disabilities.
The 2009 Worst Case Housing Needs of People with
Disabilities report can be found at: http://www.huduser.
org/portal/publications/affhsg/wcn_disability.html.
“Wheels for Independence, Service for Life”
-Serving Connecticut & Massachusetts since 1988-NMEDA Charter Member and QAP certified-Winner of the Toyota Ichiban customer service satisfaction award for theToyota Sienna Rampvan
-VA Assistance Support-24/7 Roadside Assistance15F International Drive, East Granby, CT 06026
(877) WHEELS-3
www.advancedwheels.com
www.nepva.org
ACCESSIBLE MINIVANS
-Chrysler T & C-Dodge Gr. Caravan-Toyota Sienna-Honda OdysseyMOBILITY OPTIONS
-Full Size Conversions-Wheelchair Lifts-Scooter Lifts-Hand Controls-High Tech Driving Systems-Pedal Extensions-Turning Automotive Seating-
PROUDLY SERVING VETERANS’
MOBILITY NEEDS SINCE 1988.
13
Cord Word
14
May 2011
www.nepva.org
Cord Word
May 2011

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www.nepva.org
15
Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Leominster, MA
Permit No. 17
New England PVA
1600 Providence Highway, Suite 143
Walpole, MA 02081
tel: 508 660-1181
800 660-1181
fax: 508 668-9412
Email: info@nepva.org
Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm
PVA Boston
Vocational Rehabilitation Opening
May 18th, 2011
10:00 a.m.
Barsamian Auditorium, West Roxbury, VAMC
NEPVA members are welcome to come
Refreshments provided
NEPVA Now Accepts Vehicle Donations
P
lease Donate that Auto, Boat, or RV
20th Annual
Sebastian DeFrancesco
NEPVA Golf Tournament
May 31, 2011
(the day after Memorial Day)
that’s No Longer Needed to New
Blue Hill Country Club
Canton, MA
England PVA. NEPVA is currently
accepting vehicle donations from
Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hamp-
for further information.
shire. For further information, call Toll Free:
(866) 2-GIVING or (866) 244-8464, or visit
the NEPVA website: www.nepva.org
Call Toll Free: (866) 2-GIVING to Donate