InsideWhat’s

President’sReport

3

GovernmentRelations Report

4

Service Officer’sReport

5

Sports & Recreation

6

Community Outreach

9

Washington Update

12ph

oto:

Har

ley

Free

dman

The NewsleTTer of The New eNglaNd ChapTer paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCaJune 2011 Vol. LXI, #6

a member ChapTer of The paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCa – CharTered by The CoNgress of The uNiTed sTaTes

CORD WORDCORD WORD

continued on page 5

May 18, 2011

With the grand opening of the PVA

Vocational Rehabilitation Office in

Boston, veterans from Philadelphia to Maine

now have an employment and career lifeline.

Coming under the purview of Paralyzed

Veterans’ Veterans Benefits Department, the

Boston facility is the sixth such office opened

since the program was developed in 2007.

Offices are located regionally in Augusta, Ga.;

Long Beach, Calif.; Minneapolis; Richmond,

Va.; San Antonio, Texas; and now Boston.

With an unemployment rate of nearly 85

percent for veterans with severe disabilities, the

program strives to put veterans back to work

by using a public-private, nonprofit partnership

with the Department of Veterans Affairs and

corporate sponsors. For the Boston office, PVA

is receiving assistance from Activision’s Call of

Duty Endowment, a

nonprofit public benefit

corporation that helps

soldiers transition to

civilian careers after

military service.

Paralyzed Veterans of

America has a long

history of helping our

veterans who have

some of the most severe

injuries reintegrate back

into the civilian population,” said Gordon H.

Mansfield, advisory board member of the Call of

Duty Endowment. “Many of our veterans face

enormous challenges in finding rewarding and

fulfilling careers after their time in service, and

Paralyzed Veterans is reaching many of those

veterans that must not only find a new career

but also find a new way to live their daily lives.”

PVA Opens New Boston Vocational Rehabilitation Facility

Ceremonial ribbon cutting for Boston’s new PVA Vocational Rehabilitation Facility at the VAMC in West Roxbury, MA.

Many of our veterans face

enormous challenges in finding

rewarding and fulfilling careers

after their time in service…Gordon H. Mansfield, advisory board member

of the Call of Duty Endowment.

Cord Word June 2011

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: info@nepva.org

web: www.nepva.orgOffice Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm

NEPVA OFFICERSPresident, Craig CascellaVice President, Debra FreedSecretary, Debra FreedTreasurer, Charles SchenaNational Director, Craig Cascella

EXECUTIVE BOARD John BrakoBrad CarlsonWalter FarringtonPeter Moore Wayne RossDustin SorokaJim WallackNeal Williams

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) 723-7467

Sr. Benefits Advocate, Joseph E. BadzmierowskiSenior Secretary, Ann Marie Wallace

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 WallackWeb Master, Thomas DoddWomen Veterans’ Liaison, Debra FreedVolunteer Chairman, Judy Goldstein

Hospital Liaisons Brockton, MA VAMC, Craig CascellaWest Roxbury, MA VAMC, Craig CascellaNorthampton, MA VAMC, Tim KellyProvidence, RI VAMC, Craig CascellaManchester, NH VAMC, Walter Farrington West Haven, CT VAMC, Richard FranoWhite River Jct, VT VAMC, Al FentonTogus, ME VAMC, Neal Williams

STAFFCord Word Editor, Judy GoldsteinGovernment Relations Director, Debra FreedAdministrative Assistant, Judy GoldsteinBookkeeper, Jeri FarinellaCord Word Design, Harley Freedman

2

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

National Service Officer II, John StansburySecretary, Wendy Glidden

9 MONTH DRAWING

APRIl WINNeRs

$50Leslie Sennott

Winchester, MA

$25Robert Soohey

Bremen, ME

$25Ron Evans

N. Weymouth, MA

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

June 2011

3

by Craig C. Cascella

NEPVA PresidentPresident’s Report

continued on page 8

On April 29th, I visited the

White River Junction,

Vermont VAMC and

attended a VISN-1 SCI Team Meeting.

Primary care team staff from the VA

SCI clinics in the six New England

states, SCI Chief Dr. Sunil Sabharwal,

PVA NSO John Stansbury, and I

were among the many in attendance.

It is an extremely beneficial meeting

as the SCI teams at each facility give

an update on programs, services, and

offer suggestions on various medical

treatments and ongoing studies that are

related to delivering the best possible

healthcare to our members and veterans

using the VAMC’s in their respective

area. There truly appears to be a team-

oriented effort at the VA facilities and

seeing the collaboration and networking

of the SCI teams, along with PVA at

this meeting, reiterates why the Spoke

and Hub system here in VISN-1 is

second to none. I delivered an update

on our Chapter events, activities, and

programs we are running or plan on

implementing, and other items related

to PVA. It was also an opportunity

to tour the new SCI Clinic area and

associated areas such as PT and OT.

The staff at the White River Junction

VAMC is very pleased with the newer

and updated SCI areas.

On May 4th, NEPVA held its monthly

BOD meeting, so I was unable to attend

a meeting at the Brockton campus

regarding the proposed new Long Term

Care Unit. However, Scott Speser,

Associate Director of Architecture with

PVA, attended and forwarded updates

from the meeting. One item of concern

may be the total number of designated

handicapped parking spaces at the

facility. It is always best to address any

concerns during the planning period

before finalizing the project, versus

post-completion as it is usually a very

costly endeavor to make alterations or

corrections.

From the 5th-12th, I was fortunate to

participate in a scuba diving pilot study

in the Cayman Islands. PVA Senior

Vice President Al Kovach and nine

other veterans from across the country

also participated in the study. The event

was formed via a partnership with the

Cody Unser First Step Foundation

and PVA. Johns Hopkins University

researchers were to determine the

neurological and psychological effects

on people with spinal cord injuries.

Admittedly I was a bit nervous, as I had

never been scuba diving before (photo

page 8) and generally feel perfectly

comfortable on dry land and not 40

or more feet below the ocean surface!

All went well and I am glad to say I

would absolutely like to do it again

sometime. In addition to many private

donors, including

Al Unser, Jr., the

trip was funded by

the Paul Newman

Foundation, the

Michael Andretti

Foundation,

and Challenged

Athletes Foundation.

On the 18th, there was an excellent

turnout at the Barsamian Auditorium

in the West Roxbury VA for a ribbon

cutting ceremony celebrating the

opening of the sixth PVA Vocational

Rehabilitation Program office. Some of

the distinguished guests included: PVA

President Bill Lawson; former Deputy

Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon

Mansfield; U.S. Representatives

Stephen Lynch and Bill Keating; VA

Boston Healthcare System Director

Mike Lawson; SCI Chief VISN-1 Dr.

Sunil Sabharwal; PVA Sr. Benefits

Advocate Joe Badzmierowski; PVA Voc.

Rehab Consultant Louis Irvin; PVA

Voc. Rehab Counselor Ken Lipton,

and many doctors, nurses, NEPVA

members, and other associated VA staff.

Left: NEPVA member Elias Rojas with U.S. Representatives Stephen Lynch (R) and Bill Keating (L) Right: (l to r) PVA President Bill Lawson, former Deputy Secretary of Veterans Affairs Gordon Mansfield, NEPVA President Craig Cascella.

Cord Word June 2011

www.nepva.org4

by Debra Freed

Government Relations DirectorGovernment Relations

continued on page 5

The ADA and More!

I do not wish to claim knowledge

that is not mine. Most of the

information I present in this arti-

cle comes from the ADA Quiz

Book created by the Rocky Mountain

Disability & Business Technical Assis-

tance Center otherwise known as a

DBTAC (dated 2006).

During the week of May 8, the

Americans with Disabilities Act

(ADA) Symposium was held in Las

Vegas, NV. (photo below) Nearly 500

people attended this conference from

all over the U.S., Hawaii, and Puerto

Rico. This symposium covers a wide

variety of topics from Supreme Court

rulings to the newest changes to the

ADA, building codes, and how to best

to marry them. Another important

note to make here is a large number of

attendees themselves have disabilities.

Their disabilities range from blindness

to being completely limbless. Many

work and most have family. One

woman I met worked for NASA’s

Human Resources. They all came with

one thing in mind, to learn and be able

to take back what they’ve learned to

those at the local or state level and to

those most vulnerable of our society.

If you had to take a quiz on the ADA,

could you pass it? Do you know how

many titles there are to the ADA? 5!

Do you know what they are? The

first three are used most often but the

remaining two are just as important.

Haven’t been able to name them yet?

Title I is Employment. Title II is about

State & Local Governments. Title III is

Privately Owned Entities like grocery

stores, and cafes, or better said - all

places of public accommodations. Even

places like an Elks Club or VFW Club

which have membership requirements

are obligated to abide by Title III if they

open their doors to the public. Title

IV requires that telephone companies

provide telecommunication relay

services. It also provides that public

service announcements produced or

funded in whole or in part by the

federal government include closed

captioning. And finally, Title V includes

information regarding the ADA’s

relationship with

other federal

and state laws

including the

Rehab Act of

1973, the U.S.

Access Board,

the prohibition of

state immunity,

and finally the

inclusion of

Congress as a

covered entity.

There are ten

federal agencies

that provide

information about

the ADA as well as informal guidance

in understanding and complying with

the different provisions of the ADA.

Another note I wish to make here

is that PVA members were well

represented. Nine people from other

PVA Chapters flew or drove there. Dave

from the California Chapter, Mike

from Zia, Bonnie from Michigan,

Robyn, Ken, and Ted from Texas,

Jessica from Colorado, Todd from

Minnesota, Ben (and Alder) from the

Florida Gulf Coast Chapter, Scott

from Oklahoma, and finally, NEPVA

(missing from photo are Scott & Todd).

Some of us are paid and others are just

volunteers like Mike, Dave, Todd, Ken

& Ted. At least one attendee I spoke

with took vacation time and paid his

own way because the people he worked

for claimed they couldn’t afford it or

just didn’t want to spend the money.

I remain grateful the New England

Chapter realizes the value of such a

conference.

There were 64 sessions along with

the ADA Coordinator’s Certification

Program. A couple of sessions were

repeats and others had more than

one part like the session Advanced

Employment Part 1 & 2. It is not

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

June 2011

5

continued from page 4Gov. Relations

service Officer’s Report by John Stansbury

National Service Officer II,- ME, NH, VT

When I am thanked by a vet-

eran or family member for

assisting them, I get really

pumped because I know this veteran

and family has been awarded benefits

they’ve earned. There are a lot of vet-

erans who are unaware of their earned

benefits that await them and their fami-

lies. You can help. Almost every family

has a member either in the service or

who has served. So almost everyone you

chat with needs to know how to get in

contact with a National Service Offi-

cer to help them claim their benefits.

I tell you it brings a magical feeling to

know you’ve been helpful! You could

make a major difference in someone’s

life. “Were changing lives and building

futures.”

The Veteran’s Benefits Act of 2010

included some statutory changes

that impact delivery of VA disability

benefits. I’ll go over some here. For

more detail, review VA Fast Letter 11-

11 (call your Service Officer).

• Cost of living increases were tied

to increases in Title II of the Social

Security Act for temporary increases

in DIC that is payable to surviving

spouses with dependent children

under 18.

• Some of the Special Monthly

Compensation (SMC) rates will

be amended to become effective

10/01/2011 which will pay based on

“factors” that prevent natural elbow

or knee action with prosthesis in

place or use of prosthetic appliances.

• Bad news: 38U.S.C. 5503 is

amended effective 10/13/2010 to

reduce children’s pension (NSCP)

award to $90.00 a month when the

child is receiving Medicaid-covered

nursing home care. This may result

in overpayment. This section was

also amended to apply the $90.00

Medicaid nursing home rule for

veterans, surviving spouses, and

children through 5/31/2015. This

authority was scheduled to expire

9/30/2011.

• Automobile and adaptive equip-

ment assistance is authorized for

disabled servicemembers and veterans

with severe burn injury beginning

10/01/2011 (as determined pursuant

to regulations prescribed by the

Secretary)

• The automobile allowance will

be increased from $11,000.00 to

$18,900.00 beginning 10/02/2011.

VA is also directed to increase the

allowance annually by a percentage

corresponding to annual increases in

the CPI.

• The Act extends VA’s temporary

authority for the performance of

compensation and pension examina-

tions by contract physicians through

12/31/2012

• The burial plot allowance for all

eligible veterans who die on or after

10/01/2011 will be increased to

$700.00. This amendment also pro-

vides for annual increases.

• Another change to the code (38CFR

3.809a) adds additional eligibility

criteria for Special Home Adaption

grants for “Residuals of an inhala-

tion injury (including but not limited

to, pulmonary fibrosis, asthma, and

chronic obstructive pulmonary

disease).”

For further information, contact your

PVA Service Officer.

Voc. Rehabcontinued from page 1

Mansfield went on to say that the

mission of the Endowment is to

not only help more veterans achieve

fulfilling and rewarding careers in the

21st century,

but also to

increase

the public’s

awareness

of the issue

of veterans’

unemployment. “Paralyzed Veterans

is one of the nation’s most respected

veterans organizations, and we know

they will help us succeed in both of

these goals.”

possible to take all 64 sessions in the 2.5 days available. The Great Plains DBTAC

that puts this symposium together has found unique ways to get all the sessions to

the attendees. Technology is a big factor in this because now they send everything

to a sharing website and as a registered member to the Symposium, one can now

download all 64 sessions so they are readily available. Regarding violations of the

ADA, the Chapter does not do frivolous lawsuits because they hurt everyone; but

if you believe your issue is valid, give the office a call. We will do our best to help.

Photo: Gordon H. Mansfield, advisory board member of the Call of Duty Endowment addresses the gathering.

Cord Word June 2011

www.nepva.org6

sports & Recreation

BU Basketball ClinicBy Thomas Dodd

On April 9th, the NEPVA Celtics along with Jaclyn

Cameron and Deirdre Manning, both Physical

Therapy Graduate Students from Boston University, hosted a

wheelchair basketball clinic. The graduate students guided players and started the

clinic showing participants stretching and strengthening techniques.

Over 18 individuals with varying disabilities, such as spinal cord injury,

amputation, and spina bifida, participated in the clinic. Members of the NEPVA

Celtics wheelchair basketball team showed participants basic mobility drills and

passing drills. Then participants were divided into groups based on their expertise

and scrimmaged against each other. Specials thanks go to Jaclyn Cameron,

Deirdre Manning, and Karen

Hutchinson, Clinical Associate

Professor of Boston University

for their energy and passion in

hosting this annual clinic. We

look forward to working with

them next year.

NEPVA Celtics Pool TournamentBy Thomas Dodd

On April 30, 2011, the

NEPVA Celtics hosted the

4th Annual Rack-n-Roll

Pool Tournament to raise funds for

the wheelchair basketball team. Eleven

teams competed for cash prizes. First

place winners were Kevin Cole and

Tim York of East Wareham, and second

place winners were Matt Lapine and

Robert Miskinis who have played in

every tournament hosted. Winners

also received NEPVA jackets and shirts

donated by NEPVA and hats donated

by Budweiser.

We would like to thank Glenn Justice

and Steve Brescia of the Fan Club who

hosted the pool tournament, donated

the table time, and provided 1st and

2nd place trophies. We would also like

to thank Bill Johnson of Budweiser

for donating the cooler, director chair,

umbrella, mirror and t-shirts for raffle

prizes. A special thanks to Liz Emery

for donating two cue balls signed by

Julie Kelly and Karen Coors and to the

NEPVA BOD for donating jackets and

shirts. Plans are already under way to

host the 5th Annual Rack-n-Roll and it

promises to be the best ever!

NEPVA Celtics 2011 Conference ChampionsOn March 26th, the NEPVA Celtics hosted the final conference

tournament and claimed the title of Conference Champions once

again by beating the Baystate Clippers. Players will be playing

summer ball soon to keep their skills sharp during the off-season.

If interested in more information about wheelchair basketball, please contact

Thomas Dodd at: thomasD@nepva.org.

On April 13th, the NEPVA Celtics participated in an exhibition game at the Middletown High School. Members played against students many of whom never saw wheelchair basketball. We would like to thank Chyleene O’Connor for organizing the event and for the generous donation.

Matt Lapine, Robert Miskinis, Kevin Cere, Tim York

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

June 2011

7

continued on page 8

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 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.

2011 NePVA Bass Trail schedule

6th Annual NePVA Congamond lake Bass Tournament

Rainy skies and cold temperatures

greeted the NEPVA anglers and

Boat Captains to start off this year’s

tournament trail. The goals of the

day were surviving the cold and rain,

avoiding getting voted off the water,

and being tough enough to make it to

the weigh in and take the 1st place title.

The Congamond State launch is

an ideal location for the NEPVA

tournament. Being a Handicap

accessible facility, it allows wheelchair

anglers to move around the entire area

on their own unobstructed. As an

added bonus for wheelchair anglers

interested in fishing from shore, there

is a handicap fishing pier that extends

over 200 feet into the lake. The pier

provides excellent fishing opportunities

for the disabled.

The cold and rain turned the

tournament into more of a “Survivor”

show with the air temp sitting at 38

degrees with steady light rain and

water temps in the high 40’s. Dunkin’

Donuts coffee and donuts were enjoyed

during the morning registration and

the pairing up of teams. Volunteers and

boat captains then loaded the anglers

into the boats as the tournament got

underway with a short briefing by Tiny

Lafontaine and Jim Marino.

With the main lake sitting at 49

degrees, the anglers went out looking

for warmer water in the many shallow

coves hoping that the bigger fish stayed

around and hunkered down in the grass

and weeds for the day.

The weigh-in went smoothly as all the

boats returned safely; a bit cold and wet

but with lots of smiles and the usual bit

about “the one that got away.” During

the weigh in, all the anglers were given

commemorative tee shirts and fishing

towels, hot coffee, soda, water chips

and All American grinder’s by Jimmy’s

Pizza.

Taking 3rd place was the team of

STEVE DEGUIZIS and JIMMY

WALLACK with 2 fish for 4.03 lbs.

Taking 2nd place was the team of

ADAM BARRY and LARRY HARRIS

with 3 fish for a total weight of 5.00

lbs.

Article by Jim Marino, Photos by Bob Abbott

The cold and rain turned the tournament into more of a “Survivor” show

Cord Word June 2011

www.nepva.org8

fishingcontinued from page 7

1st place went to the team of SCOTT

ARRIS and ANTHONY RENALDI

with 4 largemouth for a total of 10.28

lbs. which included the Lunker of the

day of 3.25 lbs caught by Anthony

Renaldi.

We would like to thank the following

sponsors for attending and helping with

the tournament: Mark Vanwormer

of the Meriden CT TARGET which

donated water and soda for the trail,

and Don Upchurch of “Coastal Angler

Magazine” of Western Mass.

The New England Paralyzed Veterans

of America (NEPVA) bass trail has

come a long way since it started in 2000

on the Charles River in Boston. That

day saw a support of 35 boaters from

the Mass BASS Federation paired up

with disabled anglers from several New

England states and some came from as

far away as Maryland.

As always the NEPVA bass trail is

completely FREE. There are NO

ENTRY FEE’s for either the boat

captains or the disabled anglers.

The trail has expanded from one

tournament a year to six tournaments

plus a TOC. The trail starts off in

CT in April, then swings north to

ME in May, and back to MA in June,

followed by a July tournament in RI,

then up to Vermont in August, and

ends in September in NH with the last

tournament and a TOC.

“The trail can’t exist without the

support of the Federation boaters both

B.A.S.S. and TBF which we rely so

heavily on” says Tiny LaFontaine

President of the trail. Tiny along

with Executive Director Jim Marino,

and Directors Bob Soupy Campbell

and Gary Clawson and the rest of the

American Eagles Bass Club run the

trail along with all the fund raising

and sponsorships they can get.

The trail directors would like to

thank the following sponsors,

without whom this tournament

would not be able to function:

The Bass Federation of Ct.

“Coastal Angler Magazine”

Northern Bass Supply

GE Good Neighbors Fund

Skeeter Boats

Milton CAT

Ride-Away

Larry’s Woodcraft

Nam Knights and

Marine USA of Worcester

President’s Report

The Call of Duty Endowment was

created to raise awareness about the

issue of veterans’ unemployment and

provide resources to organizations that

assist veterans with career counseling,

training, and job placement.

Contact info:Ken Lipton

PVA Vocational Rehabilitation

Office, West Roxbury VAMC

1400 VFW Parkway, Rm. AG 60

West Roxbury, MA 02132

857-203-6091

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

First and second place winners show off their catch.

Scuba photo of Craig Cascella taken at the helm of the USS Kittiwake

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

June 2011

9

Community Outreach at Nashoba Brooks Schoolby Mike Guilbault

On April 14th, NEPVA volunteers visited the

Nashoba Brooks School in Concord, MA and

made a presentation about adaptive sports to the

8th grade classes. We showed some video from the National

Disabled Winter Sports Clinic held in Snowmass Colorado

that highlighted both Nordic and Alpine skiing, sled hockey,

rock climbing, trout fishing, shooting sports and archery. We

then showed a video of the National Veterans Wheelchair

Games held each summer. The students then got to see

veterans enjoying wheelchair softball, basketball, quad

rugby, bowling, slalom, kayaking, track and field events,

handcycling, billiards, table tennis, power soccer, shooting

and the swimming competition. We had a short discussion

and then the fun really began.

With the help of some NEPVA Celtic basketball players we

got them into sports chairs to try their luck at shooting some

baskets. After getting some tips from the players on shooting

and some practice, we got them involved in some basketball

scrimmaging. It was very impressive how well they passed the

ball and the baskets they made. It was a blast for our players

and the students. Even the teacher gave it a try to entertain

them.

We talked with them how anything is possible with a bit of

will and practice. We informed them about how technology

has now made it possible for someone with a disability to

pursue many of the same interests they had before their

injury. There were many questions about the equipment used

and having the videos was crucial so they were able to see all

the different types of equipment designed specifically for the

sport in which it’s used. It was a great visit and not only did

the students have plenty of fun, but they learned quite a bit

about our lives as disabled individuals. They were interested

in who played what and what our favorites were. We tried to

show them that we are regular people just like they and their

parents are, but we only have to do things a bit differently.

We are, however, able to do many of the same things. I also

mentioned some of the activities not shown in the video such

as horseback riding, golf and whitewater kayaking.

I’d like to thank Joanna Smith of Nashoba Brooks School

for the invitation and my partners, NEPVA Celtic players

George Norton and Ray Beers along with our bowling and

shooting expert Charles Schena for a job well done. Summer

is coming so everyone get out and enjoy it.

Cord Word June 2011

www.nepva.org10

It’s no wonder why Ride-Away customers remain so loyal —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

Discussion of “The Men”by Wayne Ross

On Saturday, May 7 a group of about thirty people

gathered at the Senior Center in Cambridge to

watch a screening of “The Men” a 1957 movie

starring a very young Marlon Brando. The film told a story

about paralyzed veterans at a VA hospital following World

War II. Early on it mentioned the Paralyzed Veterans Asso-

ciation and the four chapters that made up the organiza-

tion that would eventually grow to thirty four chapters and

become what we all know today as the Paralyzed Veterans of

America.

An audience discussion followed the presentation and every-

one agreed on how many aspects of life and issues affecting

individuals with spinal cord injuries are the same today as

they were sixty years ago. Relationships with family, friends

and spouses were equally difficult. Medical treatments for

skin issues, bowel and bladder management and difficulties

with fertility haven’t changed much in six decades. Although

we no longer have hospital wards with dozens of patients

living together, peer relationships still have great influence on

people’s recoveries and new injuries

are faced with the same difficulties

surrounding readjustment. All vet-

erans seem to have an older genera-

tion that fought in a more decisive

conflict and the animosity remains

the same; one scene centers around

a fight in a bar between a WWI

veteran and two of the WWII veterans in wheelchairs.

The loss of independence is something spinal cord injured

individuals, especially quadriplegics, have struggled with

forever. The change in traditional male/female rolls in rela-

tionships and especially marriages are difficult for people

regardless of age or time period. If the same story were told

today I am sure Hollywood would produce a high quality,

action packed color extravaganza, but I am sure the feelings

of the characters would remain the same.

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

June 2011

11

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 fi xtures and lighting.

Home to dozens of quality brands including...

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 ideas, proving that accessibility doesn’t mean giving up style! Roll-in showers, walk-in tubs, comfort-height toilets, hand-held showers, grab bars and more. Our array of products and expertise create

a bath that supports privacy, comfort and dignity – all without sacrifi cing style.

Stop by today and declare your independence.

Visit our Accessible Living Idea Center in Methuen!

It’sabout

Methuen, MA 98 Lindbergh Avenue 781-325-7140Exit 47 off Route 93, right onto Mystic Street.

Visit frankwebb.com for all locations & directions.

Frank Webb’s Bath CentersPageStop 4 “Freedom”Showroom: Methuen ShowroomPublication: Paralyzed Veterans of America NewsletterSize: Half Page Horiz (7.5” x 4.125”)Created: 11/7/08 Jim McCoy | 508-478-5322 | mccoygroup@comcast.net

freedom.freedom.

JUSTICE DEPARTMENT REACHES ADA SETTLEMENT ON ACCESSIBLE LAW SCHOOL APPLICATIONS

In late April, the U.S. Department of Justice reached

agreement with Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School

and the Law School Admission Council (LSAC)

regarding accessibility of its online application service. The

online process, which is widely used by many law schools,

was not accessible to individuals who are blind and use

a screen reader. As a result of these agreements, LSAC’s

online application service will modify its software and train

its personnel, and enable each law school to insert specific

features using the accessible software.

A cake honoring the Call of Duty Endowment is displayed by (l to r) Carol O’Connell (SCI Clinic staff); PVA Senior Benefits Advocate Joe Badzmierowski; and Kelly Skinner (SCI Education) at the West Roxbury VAMC.

Cord Word June 2011

www.nepva.org12

Washington Update Produced by PVA

Government Relations Department

See www.nepva.org for more

On March 31, the House

Committee on Veterans’

Affairs, Subcommittee on

Economic Opportunity held a hearing

to review the performance of the

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA),

Vocational Rehabilitation & Education

(VR&E) program. Subcommittee

Chairman Marlin Stutzman (R-IN)

and Ranking Member Bruce Braley (D-

IA) led the hearing. PVA was invited

to testify to express our concerns

pertaining to the VR&E program and

issues that could affect PVA members

who participate in the program.

PVA is the only veterans’ service

organization that has a vocational

rehabilitation and employment

program. The program currently serves

six metropolitan areas of the nation.

PVA’s program is located in the VA

Spinal Cord Injury and Disease Centers

which allows their counselors to work

closely with the VA’s VR&E program

and the VA’s medical team. While

the VA’s emphasis is on rehabilitation,

training and education to prepare

the veteran for the workplace, PVA’s

success has been with actually placing

paralyzed veterans in the workplace.

PVA’s testimony discussed a program

within the VR&E options for the

disabled veteran, the Independent

Living (IL) program. This program

helps severely disabled veterans not

considering employment at the time of

application, or may never be employable

because of a service-connected

disability. The success of this program

is in the flexibility of options available

for the counselor to help maximize

the independence and quality of life

for the disabled veteran. For several

years this program has been used to

make expedited home modifications

for veterans

diagnosed with

amyotrophic

lateral sclerosis

(ALS). Because

of the short

lifespan of

ALS diagnosed

veteran, the

traditional

Specially Adapted Housing (SAH)

grant has proven to be inadequate

because of the bureaucratic process

involved in using this grant. On the

average it will require six months to one

year to complete home modifications

using the SAH grant. To avoid this

delay the IL counselor works with a VA

approved contractor who can make the

needed modifications within weeks and

be paid by the IL program.

A recent change in VA policy now

prevents the use of IL funds. PVA told

the Subcommittee that modifications in

the VA’s procedures must take place so

that ALS veterans can spend their last

few months at home.

Another issue that PVA brought to the

Subcommittees attention was the twelve

year limitation on using the VR&E

program. This starts at the time of

discharge and often a seriously disabled

veteran is not considering employment

until their medical rehabilitation

has been completed. But, during the

months or years of rehabilitation a

veteran’s eligibility period is elapsing.

Another reason for eliminating the

twelve-year

period is as

veterans age, their

service-connected

disabilities can

deteriorate, having

a negative effect

on their job

performance. At

this later date is

when the veteran will need the help of

the VA using the VR&E program to

retrain for an achievable career position.

The other veterans’ service

organizations that testified told

the Subcommittee that the VR&E

program is an important part of

veterans’ reintegration into the civilian

work force. Unfortunately with the

continued number of injuries from

the war on terror, this program

cannot accommodate the new war

injuries as it should. PVA told the

Subcommittee that the new edition

of The Independent Budget for FY

2012 makes several recommendations

for the VR&E program. Chairman

Stutzman states that the Subcommittee

will continue with oversight of this

important VA program to insure it is

helping injured and disabled veterans as

they transition to civilian life.

PVA TESTIFIES ON VA’S VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION PROGRAM

PVA is the only veterans’

service organization

that has a vocational

rehabilitation and

employment program.

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

June 2011

13

FREE TO MEMBER

Shower-Commode WheelchairGoes into the shower;

Hardly usedFolds up;

Available in Westwood, MACall the NEPVA office

“Joey Lift” by Bruno(VSL 4000)

Installs in back of van.Like new.

Available in Chicopee, MACall the NEPVA office

ScooterRed Hoverhound LX

Call the NEPVA office508-660-1181

15F International Drive, East Granby, CT 06026 (877) WHEELS-3

www.advancedwheels.com

MOBILITY OPTIONS -Full Size Conversions-

-Wheelchair Lifts- -Scooter Lifts-

-Hand Controls- -High Tech Driving Systems-

-Pedal Extensions- -Turning Automotive Seating-

ACCESSIBLE MINIVANS -Chrysler T & C-

-Dodge Gr. Caravan- -Toyota Sienna-

-Honda Odyssey-

“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 the- Toyota Sienna Rampvan

-VA Assistance Support-

-24/7 Roadside Assistance-

PROUDLY SERVING VETERANS’ MOBILITY NEEDS SINCE 1988.

Flyer FES-Rowing, Version: 2-14-11

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.

Kevin O’Connor MD, Medical Director for Spinal Cord InjuryWei-Lee Liao, MD, Spinal Cord Injury Program

Leslie Morse, DO, Bone Health Research ProgramJ. Andrew Taylor, PhD, Cardiovascular Research Laboratory

Cord Word June 2011

www.nepva.org14

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

June 2011

15

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: info@nepva.org

Office Hours: Monday-Friday 9:00am-4:30pm

NEPVA Now Accepts Vehicle Donations

Please Donate that Auto, Boat, or RV

that’s No Longer Needed to New

England PVA. NEPVA is currently

accepting vehicle donations from

Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New Hamp-

shire. For further information, call Toll Free:

(866) 2-GIVING or (866) 244-8464, or visit

the NEPVA website: www.nepva.orgCall Toll Free: (866) 2-GIVING to Donate

Make a Donation Today!100% of your tax deductible donation goes to Chapter programs.

Mail your check payable to NEPVA to:

NEPVA

1600 Providence Hwy., Ste 143

Walpole, MA 02081

sail to PrevailPVA Second Annual

Sailing Clinic

June 18-19, 2011

Newport, RI

Contact: Alex Egan

401-849-8898

Armed Forces Night at McCoy Stadium June 28, Ceremony 6pm

Pawsox v Rochester Red Wings

Game Tickets - $4 each!

Call NEPVA office for more

information.