DECEMBER 2023 |  ISSUE #20 |  PVA SUPPORTER EDITION

After serving in the Persian Gulf and retiring from service, U.S. Navy Veteran Lonn was struck by a drunk driver on his way to work. The accident left him a tetraplegic with only one arm and one leg. Now Lonn is using his experiences to improve the lives of others — and soon, to start a business. Read his story. 

PVA Fights for Veterans with ALS & their families

VA's Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) "kicker" is only available to spouses of Veterans who have a service-connected disability that was rated totally disabling for a continuous period of at least eight years. Sadly, the life expectancy of veterans with ALS is 3-5 years. That's why PVA is advocating for passage of H.R. 3790, the Justice for ALS Veterans Act of 2023. 

“Given that ALS has no viable treatments to halt its progression, and the outcome is death, regardless of onset, it is inhumane to have the caveat of eight years to access the [DIC kicker] benefit.” says U.S. Air Force Veteran Juan Reyes, “As a husband, father, and veteran living with ALS, knowing my spouse, and family by extension, have the means to offset this burden once I pass, gives me peace of mind. Which in return, allows us to enjoy the time we do have remaining.”

Justice for ALS Veterans is just one of the issues that PVA is working on. To keep up with the status of PVA’s policy priorities, please join PVAction Force.  

Supporting veterans'
small businesses

PVA's Veterans Career Program supports Veteran entrepreneurs and small businesses through a 10-week self-employment training program. In November, four program participants “pitched” their business ideas to a panel of small business experts. PVA awarded two $2,500 start-up grants (thanks to the Wells Fargo Foundation) for the best pitches to help them test launch their businesses. One of the contestants made it into the news for his invention. Want to learn more about PVA's Veterans Career Program? Click the link below.

FUNDING
RESEARCH FOR
TREATMENTS & A CURE

Paralyzed Veterans of America's Research Foundation recently awarded over 1 million in research funding on spinal cord injury/disease, including respiratory recovery after SCI, pressure ulcers, autonomic dysreflexia, and more. Want to learn about our work to find treatments and cures for spinal cord injury and disease? Click the button below.

Veteran develops specially adapted fishing pole with funding from PVA (KLTV)

When Lonn Cunningham was paralyzed from the chest down and lost his leg and an arm, he was told he would never fish again. Through Paralyzed Veterans of America's small business & entrepreneurship program funded by Wells Fargo, Lonn won a $2,500 grant to build and promote his adaptive fishing invention he calls the Quad Cast.

The Honorable Mike Bost Awarded with PVA's 2023 Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award (Investors Observer)

PVA established this award to recognize strong leadership and support of PVA's legislative priorities in the areas of Veterans' health care, benefits, and disability civil rights.