Submit your travel story at www.AirAccess30.org Read Myths and Facts about the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA). In 1986, Congress passed the Air Carrier Access Act (ACAA), which guaranteed that people with disabilities would receive consistent and nondiscriminatory treatment when traveling by air. The ACAA states simply: “No air carrier shall discriminate against any otherwise qualified handicapped […]

As the landmar Americans with Disabilities Act(ADA) celebrates its anniversary each July, it is an important time to reflect on the impact the law has had on improving accessibility and shaping attitudes and perceptions about people with disabilities – and how that progress might shape the future. “What’s interesting is that we have an ADA […]

Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Al Kovach has never lived a day post-injury without knowing the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) – the landmark law that celebrated its 25th anniversary on July 26, 2015. But that does not mean Kovach has not felt the impact of poor design and limited access, from restaurants to […]

As a result of the serious scrutiny that the VA health care system experienced last year, Congress approved on a bipartisan basis P.L. 113-146, the Veterans’ Access to Care Through Choice, Accountability, and Transparency Act (VACAA), to expand purchased care outside of the VA to address the problems that were identified.  We cannot overemphasize the fact that […]

In an effort to expand opportunities for disabled veterans to participate in water sports, Paralyzed Veterans of America offers two-day clinics to introduce members to adaptive sailing. The clinics begin with classroom instruction on common sailing language, rudimentary sailing techniques and safety. Once the basics have been covered, participants typically have an opportunity to sail […]

Sciatica refers to pain involving a problem with the sciatic nerve, the largest nerve in the human body that extends from the lower back through the hips and buttocks and down each leg. While in most cases no cause can be found for sciatic pain, it can be caused by a ruptured intervertebral disk, an […]

Sciatic nerve pain refers to pain associated with pressure of the nerve roots that lead to the sciatic nerve, which controls muscles in the back of the knee and lower leg and provides feeling to the legs and feet. The pain usually begins in the lower back and extends down the leg to the calf, […]

Arthritis of the spine is a degeneration of the cartilage of joints and discs in the neck and lower back. It often presents as stiffness and pain in the neck and back, but if severe enough to affect spinal nerves or the spinal cord, can result in weakness or numbness in the legs or arms as […]

There are many different types of spinal cord disease. Living with any one of them can make daily life very challenging at times.   Veterans who are living with a spinal cord disease can take advantage of ongoing support and helpful resources and benefits through Paralyzed Veterans of America membership. With knowledge and information, you […]

A spinal tumor is a mass or growth of cells within or near the spinal cord. The tumor – whether malignant (cancerous) or benign (noncancerous) – can affect nerves located nearby, resulting in pain, neurological problems and sometimes paralysis. Even benign tumors of the spinal cord can result in death or permanent disability. Symptoms of […]

A spinal fracture is one or more broken vertebrae in the spine that commonly results from high-energy trauma. The most common fractures of the spine occur in the mid-back (thoracic) or lumbar (lower) spine, or at the connection of the two regions. Fractures of the spine typically stem from intense accidents or trauma, such as […]

Spinal Stenosis is a common condition characterized by a narrowing of the spinal canal, causing compression on the nerve roots and spinal cord. While it’s possible for spinal stenosis to occur without producing any symptoms, it commonly leads to pain, cramping, weakness or numbness, or in severe cases, bladder or bowel problems. Spinal stenosis can […]

Spinal stenosis can be diagnosed through X-rays, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), computed tomography (CT) scans and blood tests. Common treatments include physical therapy, medication or, in severe cases, surgery to relieve pressure on the spinal cord and/or nerves. Surgery can be performed by removing, trimming or adjusting diseased areas of the spine that are causing […]

While it’s possible for spinal stenosis to occur without producing any symptoms, the disorder most commonly causes numbness, weakness, cramping, general pain in the arms or legs or sciatica. The area of the spine affected by spinal stenosis often is indicative of the symptoms experienced. For example, pressure on the lower portion of the spinal […]

Spondylosis refers to the degeneration of the bones of the spine (vertebrae) or the disks or joints between those bones. The degeneration can occur in one or more areas of the spine, such as the neck (cervical spondylosis), lower back (lumbar spondylosis) or middle back (thoracic spondylosis). The wear and tear associated with spondylosis can […]