Paralyzed Veterans Of America

THE NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER, PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA IS A 501(C)(3) NON- PROFIT ORGANIZATION AND THE ONLY CONGRESSIONALLY CHARTERED VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION DEDICATED SOLELY FOR THE BENEFIT AND REPRESENTATION OF VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURY OR DISEASE. FOR MORE THAN 75 YEARS, PVA HAS ENSURED VETERANS RECEIVE THE BENEFITS EARNED THROUGH THEIR SERVICE TO OUR NATION; MONITORED THEIR CARE IN VA SPINAL CORD INJURY UNITS; AND FUNDED RESEARCH AND EDUCATION IN THE SEARCH FOR A CURE, IMPROVED CARE AND QUALITY OF LIFE FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH PARALYSIS.

GOVERNMENT RELATIONS WE WERE THRILLED TO BE AWARDED THE RICHARD FULLER OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT IN GOVERNMENT RELATIONS AWARD FOR THE SECOND TIME THIS YEAR. OUR CHAPTER'S GOVERNMENT RELATIONS PROGRAM CONSISTS OF: 1) GARNERING SUPPORT FROM THE NEW ENGLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION FOR PVAS LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES; 2) ESTABLISHING RELATIONSHIPS AND IDENTIFYING AREAS OF IMPACT AT THE STATE LEVEL; AND 3) PROMOTING MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT THROUGH THE VOTERVOICE PLATFORM. FEDERAL EFFORTS IN MARCH 2022, OUR GOVERNMENT RELATIONS DIRECTOR JOINED PVA COLLEAGUES AT THE VIRTUAL PUSHING ACCESS FORWARD 2022: PVA ANNUAL ADVOCACY LEGISLATIVE SEMINAR. WE HAD AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR DIRECTLY FROM THE NATIONAL STAFF AND VARIOUS GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS ON PVA'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. WE ALSO HEARD AND SHARED STORIES ABOUT HOW THESE ISSUES DIRECTLY AFFECT THE LIVES OF PVA MEMBERS NATIONWIDE. FOLLOWING THE SEMINAR, A SMALL TEAM FROM OUR CHAPTER BRIEFED CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES ON OUR PRIORITIES AND REQUESTED THEIR SUPPORT AS COSPONSORS. WE WERE THRILLED TO BE JOINED THIS YEAR BY FORMER CHAPTER PRESIDENT MICHAEL NEGRETE, DIRECTOR CHUCK HOULE, AND DIRECTOR DEBRA FREED. WE WERE GRATEFUL FOR THE TIME AND ATTENTION THEY SPENT ON OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND THEIR SKILLS IN ARTICULATING THE SIGNIFICANT CHALLENGES FACING PARALYZED VETERANS IN NEW ENGLAND. IT'S IMPORTANT TO NOTE THAT OUR CHAPTER'S ADVOCACY EFFORTS ARE NOT LIMITED TO THE ANNUAL AD/LEG WEEK. AS THE DIRECTOR OF GOVERNMENT AND COMMUNITY AFFAIRS, WE LOBBY CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES THROUGHOUT THE YEAR ON BEHALF OF THE CHAPTER AND, AS A RESULT OF OUR CONTINUOUS ADVOCACY, WE HAVE SEEN A STEADY FLOW OF NEW ENGLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION MEMBERS COSPONSOR OUR LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. TO DATE, THE AIR CARRIER ACCESS AMENDMENTS ACT CURRENTLY HAS 15 COSPONSORS FROM NEW ENGLAND, WITH THE NEW ENGLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION MAKING UP HALF OF ALL COSPONSORS IN THE SENATE. THE VETERAN FAMILIES HEALTH SERVICES ACT, ANOTHER PRIORITY OF OUR CHAPTER, CURRENTLY HAS 19 COSPONSORS FROM NEW ENGLAND. FINALLY, THE ORIGINALLY FILED AUTO FOR VETERANS ACT HAS 17 COSPONSORS FROM THE NEW ENGLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION. WHILE OUR LONG LIST OF COSPONSORS IS THE MOST SIGNIFICANT INDICATOR OF OUR PROGRAM'S SUCCESS, WE'VE SEEN GROWTH AND PROGRESS IS OTHER ASPECTS OF THE PROGRAM THIS YEAR AS WELL. FOR EXAMPLE, MANY CONGRESSIONAL OFFICES NOW PROACTIVELY REACH OUT TO US TO SEE HOW VARIOUS LEGISLATIVE PROPOSALS WOULD AFFECT OUR MEMBERS OR TO SEEK OUR ASSISTANCE WITH A VETERAN RELATED CONSTITUENT QUESTION IN THEIR DISTRICT. WE'VE ALSO HAD DC STAFFERS REQUEST TO MEET WITH OUR ADVOCACY TEAM WHEN THEY VISITED THE DISTRICT DURING THE SUMMER RECESS. OUR CHAPTER IS PROUD OF THE CONTRIBUTIONS WE MAKE TO ADVANCE NATIONAL PVA'S LEGISLATIVE PRIORITIES. WE WILL CONTINUE TO FOSTER STRONG RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE NEW ENGLAND CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO ENSURE THEY UNDERSTAND AND REMAIN RESPONSIVE TO THE CHALLENGES FACING OUR MEMBERS. STATE LEVEL EFFORTS IN 2022, OUR CHAPTER SUBMITTED WRITTEN TESTIMONY IN SUPPORT OF THREE BILLS BEFORE THE MASSACHUSETTS JOINT COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC SAFETY AND HOMELAND SECURITY: THE ACCESSIBLE MA ACT (S.1629); THE ACCESSIBLE WORKPLACES ACT (H.2419); AND THE ADAPTABLE HOUSING MA ACT (H.2420). THESE THREE BILLS WOULD ADDRESS SIGNIFICANT GAPS IN THE AUTHORITY OF THE MASSACHUSETTS ARCHITECTURAL ACCESS BOARD (MAAB), WHICH HAS BEEN RESPONSIBLE FOR PROVIDING ACCESSIBILITY IN THE STATE OF MASSACHUSETTS SINCE 1968. AS WE TOLD THE COMMITTEE, OUR ORGANIZATION STRONGLY SUPPORTS THESE THREE PIECES OF LEGISLATION AS THEY HAVE A DIRECT IMPACT ON THE QUALITY OF OUR MEMBERS' LIVES AND THEIR ABILITY TO CONTRIBUTE AS DIGNIFIED AND PRODUCTIVE MEMBERS OF THEIR COMMUNITIES. IN ADDITION TO OUR WORK IN MASSACHUSETTS, WE ALSO RESEARCHED AND CONDUCTED OUTREACH TO MEMBERS ON THE STATUS OF ACCESSIBLE BEACHES IN NEW ENGLAND. WE REMAIN OPEN TO SUPPORTING LEGISLATION ON THIS ISSUE AND WILL CONTINUE TO SERVE AS A RESOURCE FOR MEMBERS EXPERIENCING ACCESSIBILITY-RELATED CHALLENGES. PEER MENTORING PROGRAM NEPVAS PEER MENTOR PROGRAM IS DESIGNED TO PROVIDE A SUPPORTIVE AND RELAXED ATMOSPHERE FOR PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES TO SHARE CONCERNS AND ADDRESS ISSUES THAT AFFECT THEIR LIVES. EACH GROUP TARGETS NEEDS AND SHARES INFORMATION ABOUT COMMUNITY RESOURCES THAT ARE AVAILABLE AND DEVELOPS PROBLEM-SOLVING STRATEGIES FOR MEMBERS TO BE SELF-ADVOCATES. THE REALIZATION THAT ONE IS NOT ALONE IS OF GREAT VALUE. SOMEONE WHO HAS SHARED SIMILAR EXPERIENCES CAN OFFER A SPECIAL KIND OF UNDERSTANDING, WHICH IS OFTEN NOT AVAILABLE ANYWHERE ELSE. THIS IS WHY PEER MENTORSHIP IS SO IMPORTANT, BECAUSE A PEER IS SOMEONE WITH COMMON INTERESTS AND LIFE EXPERIENCES. THESE ARE PEOPLE WHO HAVE BEEN THERE AND CAN PROVIDE VALUABLE INSIGHTS AND INFORMATION TO ATTAIN GOALS. EACH MEMBER OF A PEER GROUP CAN WORK ON THEIR OWN INDEPENDENT GOALS, WITH SUPPORT FROM PEERS WHO MAY HAVE ALREADY ACHIEVED SIMILAR GOALS. EACH INDIVIDUAL SERVES AS A POTENTIAL MODEL FOR THE NEXT MEMBER. THE PEER MENTOR PROGRAM FOLLOWS A SELF-HELP PHILOSOPHY WHERE A GROUP OF PEOPLE DECIDE TO WORK TOGETHER ON AN ISSUE OR CHARACTERISTIC THEY ALL SHARE (SPINAL CORD INJURY AND/OR DYSFUNCTION). THE GROUP IS ORGANIZED, DESIGNED, AND RUN BY ITS MEMBERS AND STAFF AT THE VAMC.

SPORTS AND RECREATION: NEPVAS WHEELCHAIR SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAM PROVIDES ITS MEMBERS AND OTHER PERSON WITH DISABILITIES THE OPPORTUNITY TO PARTICIPATE IN QUALITY PROGRAMS WITH A VARIETY OF ACTIVITIES. PARTICIPATION IN ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND RECREATIONAL ACTIVITIES PROVIDES IMMEASURABLE BENEFITS TO EVERYONE INVOLVED. ACTIVE PARTICIPATION IN SPORTS AND RECREATION ACTIVITIES HELPS IMPROVE SELF-ESTEEM, ENCOURAGES GOOD HEALTH AND HYGIENE PRACTICES, AND PROMOTES FRIENDSHIP AMONG PEERS. KEY SPORTS AND RECREATION PROGRAMS OVER THE PAST YEAR HAVE INCLUDED THE NEW ENGLAND SUMMER SPORTS CLINIC, NEW ENGLAND WINTER SPORT CLINIC, BASS FISHING TOURNAMENTS, WHEELCHAIR BASKETBALL CLINIC, DISC GOLF, BOCCIA TOURNAMENT, SAILING, THE NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES, AND OUR ANNUAL CHAPTER GOLF TOURNAMENT.

MEMBERSHIP CURRENTLY, THE CHAPTER HAS 774 MEMBERS THROUGHOUT THE 6 NEW ENGLAND STATES, NEW YORK, AND A SEVERAL WHO ARE SPREAD OUT THROUGHOUT OTHER PARTS OF THE UNITED STATES WHO CHOOSE TO CONTINUE THEIR MEMBERSHIP WITH NEW ENGLAND. AT THE MAY 2022 PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA (PVA) NATIONAL CONVENTION, THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OPENED MEMBERSHIP TO MS/ALS VETERANS. WHILE PVA AND ITS CHAPTERS ALREADY HAD MS AND ALS MEMBERS, CERTAIN PREVIOUS STRICT REQUIREMENTS WERE REMOVED. THE CHAPTER HAS THEREFORE BEEN GAINING MORE MS MEMBERS TO ASSIST WITH KEEPING OUR CHAPTER AT THE MID 750 OR HIGHER RANGE. A POPULAR MEMBERSHIP BENEFIT IS THE ANNUAL INDIVIDUAL ALLOTMENT OF 1,000. THIS IS AVAILABLE TO ALL MEMBERS ON A FIRST-COME-FIRST-SERVED BASIS UNTIL THE FUNDS ARE EXHAUSTED. THE INTENT OF THESE FUNDS IS TO ENCOURAGE MEMBERS TO GET OUT INTO THE COMMUNITY AND REMAIN ACTIVE BY OFFSETTING THE COST OF PARTICIPATING IN SPORTING EVENTS, ATTENDING ENTERTAINMENT ACTIVITIES, OR WHATEVER A MEMBER MAY WANT TO DO TO ENRICH THEIR LIVES. THE CHAPTER SUPPORTED MEMBERS DURING THE PANDEMIC BY OFFERING FREE FACE COVERINGS BRANDED WITH THE NEPVA LOGO AND PROVIDING FUNDS FROM GRANTS TO ASSIST CHAPTER MEMBERS WHO NEEDED ASSISTANCE WITH FOOD INSECURITY AND OTHER BASIC NEEDS. MEMBERSHIP ENGAGEMENT OUR CHAPTER CONTINUES TO PROMOTE NATIONAL PVA'S VOTERVOICE PLATFORM. WE BELIEVE VOTERVOICE IS AN ESSENTIAL TOOL IN OUR ADVOCACY EFFORTS AND HAVE SPENT CONSIDERABLE TIME ENCOURAGING NEW ENGLAND MEMBERS TO UTILIZE THIS TOOL. WE FREQUENTLY ADVERTISE VOTERVOICE OPPORTUNITIES ON FACEBOOK, IN OUR NEWSLETTER, AND AT BOTH CHAPTER AND COMMUNITY EVENTS. COMMUNITY AFFAIRS AS WE CONTINUE TO EMERGE FROM THE PANDEMIC, WE SEEK TO RE-ESTABLISH OUR CHAPTER AS A REPUTABLE AND VISIBLE VETERAN SERVICE ORGANIZATION WITH ENGAGED MEMBERS THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND. OUR MAIN GOALS IN THIS SPACE ARE TO STRENGTHEN COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS AND PROMOTE NEPVA MEMBERSHIP TO UNDER- REPRESENTED POPULATIONS. WE ARE WORKING TO DO THIS BY: - BUILDING STRONG RELATIONSHIPS AND STRENGTHENING EXISTING PARTNERSHIPS WITH COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND TO INCREASE COLLABORATION AND OPPORTUNITIES FOR NEPVA MEMBERS; - WORKING COLLABORATIVELY ACROSS THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND STAFF TO RECRUIT NEW MEMBERS, PARTICULARLY FROM THE MS AND ALS POPULATIONS; AND, - FOCUSING ON OUTREACH IN AREAS WITH LOW MEMBERSHIP NUMBERS, PARTICULARLY VT AND RI. WE LOOK FORWARD TO SPREADING MORE AWARENESS ABOUT THE COMPREHENSIVE SERVICES OUR CHAPTER CAN PROVIDE PARALYZED VETERANS IN THE REGION.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH NEPVA IS CONSTANTLY WORKING TO INFORM THE PUBLIC ABOUT ISSUES IMPACTING THE LIVES OF ITS MEMBERS AND OTHER PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES THROUGH VARIOUS ACTIVITIES. THROUGH THE CHAPTER'S "WHAT'S IT LIKE" PROGRAM, MEMBER VOLUNTEERS GO TO LOCAL SCHOOLS AND PROVIDE INFORMATION AND AWARENESS TRAINING TO CHILDREN. THE PROGRAM IS GROWING EVERY YEAR AND IS A VERY REWARDING ACTIVITY. NEPVA PARTICIPATES IN THE PATIENT AND FAMILY EDUCATION PROGRAM AT THE BROCKTON AND WEST ROXBURY, MASSACHUSETTS, DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS' MEDICAL CENTER, (VAMC'S). THE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS, DEMONSTRATIONS, AND FILMS ABOUT SPINAL CORD INJURY AND DISEASE. CHAPTER MEMBERS ALSO PARTICIPATE IN OTHER LOCAL ORGANIZATION AWARENESS EVENTS AND EXPOS THROUGHOUT NEW ENGLAND. CHAPTER MEMBERS ARE ALSO AVAILABLE TO PARTICIPATE IN COLLEGE RESEARCH PROJECTS, SPEECHES, INTERVIEWS, AND APPEARANCES FOR LOCAL RADIO AND TELEVISION.