Paralyzed Veterans of America Blog

When Army Veteran David woke up paralyzed after his accident in 2015, he knew he had “come back” for a reason. What he didn’t know is that thanks to his injury, he would travel the world, inspiring other people with disabilities through adaptive sports.Prior to his injury, David served as a military police officer in […]

“People need people, and PVA is one of the best organizations to help do that by connecting and reaching out to Veterans and support groups for Veteran families.”Growing up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, Air Force Veteran Michael dreamed of becoming a professional athlete someday. After joining the Air Force and becoming paralyzed from the waist down, […]

 “My life can serve as an example of being strong, positive, and never surrendering the fighting spirit.”Veterans in combat can come away with any number of illnesses and injuries, both mental and physical. While serving in Operation Desert Storm, Army Veteran Michael had many experiences that continue to impact him today. Throughout his career, Michael sought […]

For Navy veteran Tina Leet, handcycling and other adaptive sports have been the cure to the physical and emotional loss she felt following a life-changing injury and nerve disease that ended her beloved military career. A native of Oconomowoc, Wis., Tina began dreaming of a career in the military at eight years old. At age 15, following […]

Dan Rose To assist with tuition, and having two grandfathers who had served in the military, Dan Rose joined the Army Reserve in college. Ten years into his Reserve career, Rose found himself serving as a combat engineer in Afghanistan. While on a routine route clearing mission, Rose and his crew triggered an Improvised Explosive […]

Army Veteran Sualauvi Tuimalealiifano Finds Way Back to Life Through Adaptive Sports For paralyzed Army Sergeant First Class Sualauvi “Sua” Tuimalealiifano, it was the faces of his three children that pulled him out of his darkest moments of loss and depression – just enough to discover that dreams, goals and ultimately hope might be regained on […]

It was the day before Valentine’s Day in 2002. Recently enlisted in the Army, Chris Hull and a buddy were headed home before they deployed, when his friend fell asleep at the wheel and they crashed.  The accident caused Chris to suffer a traumatic brain injury, and he broke eleven bones. He was 16 years […]

“I always look forward to the tournaments because that’s the time I get to be with my friends.” Tony Choe came to the United States from South Korea when he was 17 years old. He joined the Marine Corps Reserve as a way to “put his roots down” and learn American culture, while also completing […]

One of the greatest strengths of a talented musician is often their memory, but for retired Air Force Tech Sgt. Bill Bjornes – who served nearly 25 years as a trumpet player in both the Army and Air Force – the onset of a rare autoimmune disease in 2006 put that strength, along with his […]

For Army veteran James Howard, adaptive sports helped fill a void he once thought only his military service could fill. “I thought the military was going to be the only thing for me for a long time,” says Howard, who served in the Army from 2002 to 2010 with the 82nd Airborne and Special Forces training at […]