InsideWhat’s

President’sReport

3

GovernmentRelations Report

4

National Director’sReport

5

Sports & Recreation

6

New England VA News

8

VA News9

Service OfficersReport

10

Washington Update

12

The NewsleTTer of The New eNglaNd ChapTer paralyzed VeTeraNs of ameriCaMay 2011 Vol. LXI, #5

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

CORD WORDCORD WORD

continued on page �

By Brad Carlson, Sports Director

Our 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.

Members of the Nashua and Westford Fire Departments with their pipes and drums.

NEPVA hosts PVA/NWPA Billiard Tournament

Cord Word May 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

IN REMEMBRANCE

We deeply regret the passing of our Chapter Member:

and extend our heartfelt sympathyto family and friends.

Thomas M. Rizzo

APRIl WINNERs

$50Lois ColletteGardner, MA

$25Dennis Christman

New Hyde Park, NY

$25Richard Frano

Southington, CT

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

May 2011

3

by Craig C. Cascella

NEPVA PresidentPresident’s Report

This 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

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.

On the 20th, I attended a Chapter

sponsored pizza party at the West

Roxbury VA on the SCI Unit. It is

always a good time to socialize with

the in-patients, volunteers, and the VA

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.

NEPVA Board members Neal Williams (left) and Dustin Soroka head to Capitol Hill for Congressional meetings.

Cord Word May 2011

www.nepva.org4

by Debra Freed

Government Relations Director

continued on page 12

Government Relations

Follow Up

Hello 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, Tri-

Care 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

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 roll-

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

May 2011

5

National Director’s Report by Craig C. Cascella

National Director

continued on page 12

As 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

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

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.

Cord Word May 2011

www.nepva.org6

sports & Recreation by Brad Carlson Sports Director

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 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

In 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

September. For more information visit

our website or contact the Chapter office.

First Place winner Charles Interrante

Second Place winner Peter Lorange

Nine year old singing sensation Christopher Duffley, poses with his Dad and Brad after singing the national anthem.

continued from page 1

Recreation Therapist Joan Lynch with Sam Penney.

Cord Word

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May 2011

7

June 18-19, 2011Newport, Rhode Island

MissonTo enable a group of disabled veterans to experience sailing in Newport, RI, through Sail To Prevail – The National Disabled SailingProgram. The weekend clinic will teach the fundamentals of sailing andprovide hands-on participation aboard sailboats designed specificallyfor the disabled.

LocationSailing 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 orto make reservations.

SailingSailing will start at 1200 on Saturday, June 18th and Sunday, June19th and finish at approximately 1600. Those with no sailing experienceare 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 withany type of disability are encouraged to participate, including but notlimited to paraplegics, quadriplegics and amputees.

Weather ConstraintsIf 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 numeroustaverns and restaurants.

SECOND ANNUAL

PVA SAILING CLINIC

Contact Alex Egan 401-849-8898

Cord Word May 2011

www.nepva.org8

New England VAMC News

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

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!

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 MeetingLast 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.

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

May 2011

9

VA News

No one should have to worry about acquiring an illness or infection from the place they trust to deliver their care. ’

‘

Dr. Robert Petzel, Under Secretary for Health

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

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.

“MRSA is a serious threat to patient

health that can be minimized with

a few achievable strategies,” said Dr.

Rajiv Jain,

VA’s chief

consultant

for specialty

care

services

and lead

author of

the study.

“I am

extremely grateful I work for an agency

with 152 integrated medical centers

across the Nation so these strategies

could be implemented, assessed, and

ultimately, shown to work on a vast

scale of many different environments.

These results mean better health care

for Veterans and a way for the people

they defended to also benefit from this

effort in the future.”

“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.”

More than

1.7 million

screening tests

for MRSA

were done

on Veteran

patients

during

the period

reported in

the analysis. VA operates the largest

integrated health care system in the

United States with more than 1,000

medical facilities throughout the United

States serving more than six million

Veterans a year. To review the article in

the New England Journal of Medicine,

go to http://www.nejm.org/doi/

full/10.1056/NEJMoa1007474.

VA Infection Control Practices Featured in New England Journal of Medicine

(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).

Cord Word May 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

service Officer’s Report By Raul Acosta,

National Service Officer, Bronx, NYWhat are the responsibilities of a National Service Officer (NSO) at the hospital?

NSOs 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.

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 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

as equipment, medications, home modifications, and home

care have been met to prevent any type of unnecessary re-

admission to the VA medical facility.

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.

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.

Cord Word

www.nepva.org

May 2011

11

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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.

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.

Cord Word May 2011

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National Director’s Report

FREE TO MEMBER

Jazzy GT Select Power Chair1 year old, leather,

battery powered, joy stick.Pick up in Hingham, MA

Call the NEPVA office508-660-1181

ScooterGolden Companion 2

5 years old, good condition,use indoors or outdoors, has

basket, headlight, horn.Pick up in Brockton, MACall the NEPVA office.

ScooterRed Hoverhound LX

Call the NEPVA office508-660-1181

continued from page 5

Washington Update Produced by PVAGovernment Relations Department

See www.nepva.org for more ACCESS BOARD PROPOSES GUIDELINES ON SHARED USE PATHSOn 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 off-

road 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 REGISTRATIONThe 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.

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.

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.

Gov. Relations Reportcontinued from page 4

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May 2011

13

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.

HUD REPORT ON VERY LOW-INCOME RENTERS WITH DISABILITIES

The 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 limi-

tations 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 disabili-

ties, 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, experi-

ence 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 dis-

abilities.

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.

Cord Word May 2011

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Cord Word

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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

20th Annual Sebastian DeFrancesco NEPVA Golf Tournament

May 31, 2011(the day after Memorial Day)

Blue Hill Country Club Canton, MA

Call the NEPVA office for further information.

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

PVA Boston Vocational Rehabilitation Opening

May 18th, 201110:00 a.m.

Barsamian Auditorium, West Roxbury, VAMCNEPVA members are welcome to come

Refreshments provided