via  by Andrew Dyer, San Diego Union Tribune SAN DIEGO, CA — Stay-at-home orders enacted nationwide in March were seen as necessary, if unprecedented, as the spread of the novel coronavirus threatened to overwhelm hospitals. However, the wide societal shutdown also disrupted the support systems and coping routines of many veterans living with physical and […]

via   by Niki Wentling, Stars and Stripes WASHINGTON – Army veteran Stan Brown, a quadriplegic, relies on seven caregivers for nearly everything, from eating and dressing to running errands. A few weeks ago, when one caregiver showed up to his St. Louis home with a cough, Brown, 72, sent her away and spent the […]

WASHINGTON, April 17, 2020 — Paralyzed Veterans of America is launching Stories from the Inside, a national awareness and support campaign, featuring long-time supporter Ben Affleck and paralyzed veterans sharing their fears and struggles from the confinement of their homes due to COVID-19. PVA is taking action during the crisis to ensure the nation's most catastrophically injured veterans have access to […]

WASHINGTON –The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced, April 1, the National Veterans Wheelchair Games, scheduled to occur July 3-8 in Portland, Ore., has been canceled amid concerns surrounding COVID-19. VA made this decision out of an abundance of caution for the health, safety and well-being of vulnerable populations like older Veterans and those with […]

WASHINGTON (March 25, 2020) — Paralyzed Veterans of America is proud to announce its 2020 PVA Research Foundation grant recipients. Through its PVA Research Foundation, Paralyzed Veterans of America has awarded over $790,000 in grant funds to support spinal cord injury research. Each year, the PVA Research Foundation funds scientists at institutions who conduct research […]

WASHINGTON (March 19, 2020) — Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Carl Blake issued the following statement regarding the medical treatment of veterans with spinal cord injury (SCI) and diseases such as MS and ALS, and other people with disabilities during the coronavirus pandemic.                                                                                                                                     “During this unprecedented pandemic, it’s important to remember everybody […]

WASHINGTON (March 3, 2020) — Paralyzed Veterans of America’s leaders are meeting with lawmakers this week to urge that veterans’ health care, benefits, and civil rights are prioritized during the second session of the 116th Congress. Before a joint hearing of the House and Senate Committees on Veterans’ Affairs today, PVA National President David Zurfluh […]

Washington, D.C. —  The Independent Budget (IB) co-authors—DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars)—have issued “The Independent Budget Veterans Agenda for the 116th Congress: Critical Issue Update.” This follow-up to the group’s 2019 report evaluates progress on 26 key recommendations concerning access to veterans health care, […]

Donations from Penske total over $5 million in the past five years  WASHINGTON (Feb. 19, 2020) — Paralyzed Veterans of America received over $1 million through Penske Automotive Group’s 2019 Service Matters campaign to benefit our nation’s heroes. Since its inception in 2015, Penske Automotive Group’s Service Matters campaign has contributed over $5 million to support […]

Today, in advance of the President’s budget, DAV, Paralyzed Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars released The Independent Budget Recommendations for Fiscal Years (FY) 2021 and  2022 Advance Appropriations providing a roadmap to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is fully-funded and capable of carrying out its mission to serve veterans […]

WASHINGTON (January 28, 2020) — Paralyzed Veterans of America announces a new virtual engagement initiative from its employment program, PAVE (Paving Access for Veterans Employment), that specializes in helping veterans with disabilities find meaningful employment. PAVE Connect bridges a critical gap, reaching those who do not have the time, means, or ability to attend traditional […]

WASHINGTON (January 23, 2020) — PVA Associate Executive Director of Government Relations Heather Ansley issued the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Transportation seeking public comment on proposed amendments to its Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA) regulation on transporting service animals on aircraft. Once officially published, the public has 60 days to provide comments on the […]

WASHINGTON (January 22, 2020) — PVA is pleased with the launch of the U.S. Access Board’s study to assess the feasibility of equipping aircraft with restraint systems so that passengers who use wheelchairs can remain in them while in-flight. The Board announced in October 2019 that it would conduct a study. The U.S. Access Board […]

WASHINGTON (January 10, 2020) — Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Carl Blake issued the following statement regarding the announcement that Kansas Republican Sen. Jerry Moran has been named as the new chairman of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, replacing former Georgia Republican Sen. Johnny Isakson who retired at the end of 2019: “We have […]

WASHINGTON (January 6, 2020) — Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Carl Blake issued the following statement regarding the announcement from Tennessee Republican Rep. Phil Roe, ranking member of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, and former chair of the committee, that he will retire at the end of 2020: “As a leader of the House […]