THE NEWSLETTER OF THE NEW ENGLAND CHAPTER PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICAApril 2012 Vol. LXII, #4

A MEMBER CHAPTER OF THE PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA – CHARTERED BY THE CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES

CORD WORDWORDWORDWWORDCORD CORD CCORD

President’sReport

3

GovernmentRelations Report

4

Service Officer’sReport

5

Sports & Recreation

6

NEPVANomination Form

for FY 20139

Washington Update

12

InsideWhat’s

continued on page 8

By Mike Guilbault

On February 3rd, we visited the Charles River

Elementary School in Dover and presented

the NEPVA “What’s It Like” program to 3rd

and 4th grade students. This program is to

promote disability awareness and informs the

students about how we go about living a normal

life in a wheelchair. We not only explain the

central nervous system and what it is like to be

paralyzed, but also we explain other disabilities

such as MS, CP, MD and birth defects among

others. I hope this helps the students understand

they can run into disabled people of all ages.

We do a small presentation and then we get the

students into wheelchairs to run an obstacle

course and try shooting baskets. Our main point

to get across is that even though we may be

mobility impaired, we are still very much like

them. We are sports fans who love our Boston

teams, like to go to games, we like to play and

do many things they and their families do.

After playing in the chairs

the children are much more

comfortable talking with us all.

We had a small group at this

school and had more time to play

so even had the students doing

relay races through the obstacle

course before ending play time.

We then hold a question and

answer session where they do

come up with great questions.

Many of them are about what

kind of things we can do. I’m

never surprised by the great

questions and am happy to inform them that we

do just about anything they can if we choose to.

We may have to adapt and do it a bit differently

but still can do it! I have to say after doing this

over 10 years, this class asked some questions

I’ve never heard before. Never underestimate

how smart and observant a 4th grader can be.

They are the ones surprised when they find out

we shoot, bowl, swim, kayak, fish, water ski,

hand-cycle, play basketball, softball, sled hockey

and even power soccer. When winter comes we

can snowmobile, snow ski, play quad rugby and

again many of the same things they do with

their families. Many have seen wheelchairs in

the marathon and we mention that many do

triathlons also along with track and field meets.

Some go on to be Paralympic athletes. Our

thanks go to Jordy Hertzberg for the invite,

pictures and the donation from the school.

NEPVA “What’s It Like” Program

Cord Word April 2012

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 Farrington 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

Acting Eastern Region Director, 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, Harley FreedmanWomen 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, VacantWhite River Jct, VT VAMC, Craig CascellaTogus, ME VAMC, Neal Williams

STAFFCord Word Editor, Judy GoldsteinGovernment Relations Director, Debra FreedAdministrative Assistant, Judy GoldsteinBookkeeper, Jeri FarinellaCord Word Design, Harley Freedman

2

OUR

POPULAR

NINE MONTH

DRAWING

WILL BE HELD FROM

APRIL

TO

DECEMBER 2012

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 Members:

and extend our heartfelt sympathyto family and friends.

Douglas A. Nealous

Margaret E. Patunoff

April 2012Cord Word

www.nepva.org 3

by Craig C. Cascella

NEPVA PresidentPresident’s Report

continued on page 10

A new Fisher House is coming

to West Haven, CT. Not long

ago, many NEPVA members

and I attended a ribbon cutting

ceremony on the West Roxbury VA

campus for the new Fisher House on

the grounds. Having visited the Fisher

House in person, I can assure you

the accommodations and the facility

are first rate. The Friends of Fisher

House Connecticut are working hard

to raise money to build a new Fisher

House on the grounds of the West

Haven campus. Fisher Houses are the

military/veteran equivalent of Ronald

McDonald Houses. These houses

provide the loved ones of VA inpatients

a “home away from home” near the

facility while the veteran receives

treatment. Accommodations are

provided to family members at no cost.

Currently, there are 54 Fisher Houses

nationwide, all near military hospitals

or VA facilities. Since 1990, Fisher

Houses across the nation have provided

services to over 142,000 families who

have stayed more than 3.6 million days,

saving them a combined $167 million

in hotel and transportation costs.

Kevin Creed, Chairman of Friends

of Fisher House Connecticut, first

became involved in the national Fisher

House organization in 2004 when he

retired from the Army. About a year

ago, Creed was propositioned to lead a

local effort to build a house at the West

Haven campus and Friends of Fisher

House Connecticut was launched.

The law firm of Newman, Creed and

Associates is serving as underwriters

for the project so that 100% of all

proceeds will go toward construction

of the house. The goal is to raise $3

million which will then be matched

by the Fisher House Foundation,

Inc. Construction begins only after

fundraising and matching combine for

$6 million. Creed says he is hoping to

break ground in April of 2013.

The Friends of Fisher House

Connecticut has had an overwhelming

amount of support from the

community since the project began.

Many local businesses and groups have

helped to raise money for the house,

including Shoprite, which hosted a

fundraiser and school children who

have sold commemorative wristbands.

On November 5, the organization will

host a black-tie dinner at Foxwoods

Casino that will include a silent

auction. The goal for that night

is to reach $500,000. During the

upcoming holiday season, the Friends

will sell Fisher House ornaments and

bricks at Westfield Shopping Center

in Meriden, CT. The memorialized

bricks will be used in the construction

of the house. For more information or

to donate to Friends of Fisher House

Connecticut, visit www.fisherhousect.

org.

In other news related to the West

Haven VA, there is now a Valet

Parking Service. This will hopefully

improve parking congestion at the

West Haven campus. The free valet

service for patients will be available

6:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. weekdays

(excluding Federal holidays). The

valet station will be located

in the circle area

in front of the

Building

2 main

entrance

(revolving

door).

Patients who

wish to use

the service should

indicate this to the valet

attendant, present your vehicle keys,

receive a claim ticket and proceed inside

for your medical appointment. The

attendant will need to verify that you

are a VA Connecticut patient. Please

be prepared to provide the attendant

with either your appointment letter or

patient identification card. To retrieve

your vehicle, turn in your claim ticket

to the valet station. Your vehicle will be

returned to you in the area where it was

dropped off. Vehicle keys not picked

up during normal valet hours can be

claimed at the Triage Desk located on

the first floor of Building 2 (through

the sliding glass doors adjacent to the

main lobby). Additional off-site parking

for employees is available at the Polish

American Club located on West Spring

Street. The campus parking shuttle will

pick-up and drop-off at this location as

part of the shuttle route.

Frequently asked questions: • Whocanusethevaletservice?

This service is designed for patients

reporting to the West Haven campus

for treatment to include scheduled

appointments, blood draw, emergen-

cies, and pharmacy pick-up.

Cord Word April 2012

www.nepva.org4

by Debra Freed

Government Relations DirectorGovernment Relations

The NEPVA sent five

individuals to Washington

DC for the 2012 Advocacy

& Legislative Seminar. As a quick

refresher, there are 22 Representatives

and 12 Senators throughout the New

England region. Congressmen Olver

and Frank are retiring at the end

of their term this year as is Senator

Snowe. All Representatives are up

for re-election as are the following

Senators: Brown from MA, Lieberman

from CT, Sanders from Vermont, and

Whitehouse from RI.

Some of the issues remain the same

from year to year: The Healthcare

budget, Protecting VA services, the

CLASS Act. There are a couple of new

ones this year: Increasing CHAMPVA

Beneficiary Entitlements and Providing

Transportation to seriously injured

veterans. There are a couple on the

civilian side as well: Transportation

Reauthorization and the Inclusive

Home Design Act.

This leads me to the new legislation

drafted by Congresswoman Jan

Schakowski of Illinois - The Inclusive

Home Design Act (IHDA). The Fair

Housing Amendments Act of 1988

requires basic accessibility features in

privately funded multifamily housing.

Under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation

Act, when federal financial assistance

is used to create housing, only 5%

of any units built are required to

meet very stringent accessibility

standards that allow individuals with

physical disabilities to visit or live in

these residences. Why do we need

anotheraccessibilityact?Becausethe

IHDA would require a basic level of

architectural access – often referred to

as “visitability” – in all federally-assisted

newly constructed housing. IHDA

will provide for fewer but important

accessible features in the remaining

95%.

Now on to accessible living when

away from home. Many hotels

and motels

maintain the

minimum

requirement of

accessible rooms

but many times

when booking a

room it may be

gone by the time

you arrive. Well

as of March 15,

2012 that is not

supposed to be

the norm but the

exception. When

booking a room

in a hotel or

motel now

you can be

assured of

an accessible

room. Regarding

reservations at places

of lodging;

Section 36.302(e) states:

• Partiii:Ensurethataccesibleguest

rooms are held for use by individuals

with disabilities until all other guest

rooms of that type have been rented

and the accessible room requested

is the only remaining room of that

type.

• Partiv:Reserve,uponrequest,acces-

sible guest rooms or specific types

of guest rooms and ensure that the

guest rooms requested are blocked

and removed from all reservations

systems;

• Partv:Guaranteethatthespecific

accessible guest room reserved

through its reservations services

is held for the reserving customer,

regardless of whether a specific room

is held in response to reservations

made by others.

There is a little more to the regulations

but all information can be found at

either www.newenglandada.org or

www.ada.gov/regs2010/titleiii_2010/.

Accessible Living at Home & Away

Debra Freed was guest speaker at Helene Savicki’s charity luncheon to benefit NEPVA on March 12 in Dennis, MA. Mrs. Savicki (third from left) is the mother of NEPVA member Mike Savicki.

April 2012Cord Word

www.nepva.org 5

As tough as this is it is

just as relieving when it’s

accomplished and there’s

a plan in place or at least

a plan begun.

Service Officer’s Report By John Stansbury National Service Officer

Career Help Is AvailablePVA Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Ken

Lipton can assist veterans in getting back

to work, school or training. He can meet

the veteran at their home, apt. or another

VAMC. He also can assist the veteran’s family

including the spouse, dependent or care giver

with their vocational goals.

For further assistance contact:Ken Lipton, M.A.,CRC

Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

Paralyzed Veterans of America

1400 VFW Parkway, Room AG 60

West Roxbury, MA 02132

kenl@pva.org

Office: 857-203-6091, Fax: 857-203-5797

Survivors’ Benefits

When we need to discuss

this subject it is usually

at the worst time, in

many, many ways. It is a topic which is

extremely important to the one who is

leaving us as they want to be ensured

you’ll have some security. Perhaps it

would be an extra comfort for them to

know you have a plan or have someone

toassistyouinthisplan.Gettingthis

accomplished is one

of the PVA Service

Officers’ most

honored, daunting,

delicate and

rewarding functions.

It is so important. I

know I stress over this

every time; did I do

everythingIcould?

Some people plan from the beginning,

some wait. Each situation is unique

but if it would help and work for you,

contact me early on and put me on the

speaker phone or ask me to come to

your home. Jot down questions before

hand. Have anyone there who may

be involved in caring for the ones left

behind. As tough as this is it is just as

relieving when it’s accomplished and

there’s a plan in place or at least a plan

begun. When the subject is broached by

you it helps me as it is harder for me to

be the initiator during this private and

delicate part of your lives. If not asked I

will bring up the subject as a matter of

course as your Service Officer, perhaps

not at the best time for you.

Generallyspeaking,aVAclaimby

the veteran cannot be opened after

the veteran passes away, but a claim

opened before the veteran passes

away can be continued by an eligible

beneficiary.

This would be the first thing I would

discuss, has every eligible benefit been

claimed?Ifthesebenefitsareawarded

they will be

delivered to

the eligible

beneficiary

as accrued

benefits.

When

survivors’

benefits are

sought, a

death certificate must be submitted.

We need to ensure the certificate

is accurate. In most cases we will

complete the claim package in our

office by submitting required copies

of the last rating decision, marriage

certificates etc. and then forward to

the responsible VA Regional Office.

Many funeral directors are very

familiar with VA procedures and

will assist you in filing for a burial

grant. They have a vested interest in

payment. They may also assist you

in filing for a headstone/marker.

VA cemeteries and State operated

Veterans cemeteries are generally

very good about this. Expect about

3 months turn around for burial

benefits currently.

If eligible, you will file also for

either Dependency and Indemnity

Compensation or Death Pension.

Expect about 3-4 months turn around

for these benefits currently.

There are some nuances to these

benefits best discussed with your

Service Officer. There are potential

educational benefits and medical

benefits among others. VA pamphlet

21-03-1 “VA Benefits for Survivors” and

VA Pamphlet 80-11-01 are two good

overviews found on va.gov website.

If you have any questions or concerns

about the benefits discussed above,

please contact your National Service

Officer.

Cord Word April 2012

www.nepva.org6

Sports & Recreation By Brad Carlson Sports Director

2nd Annual Owen “Mickey” Emery Wheelchair Air Rifle TournamentSunday, April 22, 2012

VAMC Brockton Campus, Building 23

Gymnasium, 8:00 am

This air rifle tournament is

opened to Disabled Veterans with

experience in air rifling. Awards

banquet and closing ceremony will

be provided at conclusion of the

tournament. Veterans interested in

participating MUST PRE-REGISTER

by: Friday April 13, 2012. For more

information, please contact Mr.

Richard Leeman, Assistant Chief,

Voluntary Service.

Spring is here, and so is our Fifth

Annual Billiard Tournament to

be held April 28 and 29, 2012.

Registration will begin at 9:00 a.m.

on the 28th at Breakaway Billiards,

104 Sterling St., Clinton, MA. There

will be a military opening ceremony

promptly at 10:00 a.m., with the

tournament starting at 10:30 a.m. A

day full of surprises is planned with

the Budwieser girls, prize drawings,

and 50/50 drawings all weekend.

Saturday evening, at 7:00 p.m., hall

of famer, Roger Boucher will open

up our trick shot show followed by

Bruce Barthelette and closing with the

new world champion, Ewa Laurance

(the Striking Viking). Music will be

provided by Bucky Sheehan.

The VA Boston Health Care System is

pleased to announce the 2nd Annual

Owen “Mickey” Emery Air Rifle

Tournament on Sunday, April 22,

2012 at the VAMC Brockton Campus

Bldg. 23. This tournament is open

to disabled veterans with experience

in air rifling. Awards banquet and

closing ceremony will be provided at

conclusion of tournament. Veterans

interested in participating must pre-

register by Friday, April 13, 2012. For

more information, please contact Kelly

Cossaboom at 774-826-2036.

Joanie Lynch has provided me with

information on upcoming trips.

These trips are as follows:

• May19,Marlborofishing;

• June2,Hudsonfishing;

• July23-27,MountSunapee

SummerClinic;

• August18,LakeHiawathaBell-

inghamatDennis’shouse;

• Sept.15,BellinghamShooting

DaywithBellinghampoliceand

Dennis;

• Sept.21,ShawmeShootingClub

inSandwichMa;

• Oct5,BassRiverShootingClub;

• Oct8-12,CreativeArtsFestival

inBoston.

Formoreinformationonanyof

thesetrips,contactJoanieLynch,

RecreationalTherapyService,SCIU

VABostonat774-826-1976.

For anyone interested in wheelchair

basketball, the NEPVA Celtics will be

presenting their 3rd Annual Adapted

Basketball Clinic on Saturday, April

21 from 2:00-4:30 pm. This free event

will be held at Sargent Activities Center

at Boston University, 1 University Rd,

Boston, MA 02215. For additional

information, contact Thomas Dodd

at ThomasD10@aol.com or email

bostonadaptedsports@gmail.com .

Adaptive golf is available to anyone who

can hold a golf club. Don’t be afraid

to try. For information, contact the

NEPVA office in Walpole. Wheelchair

football will be starting in August.

Watch for upcoming information.

Finally,

the Third

Annual PVA/

Sail to Prevail

Sailing

Clinic will

be held June

16-17, 2012

in Newport,

RI. For

information or to register visit their

website at: www.sailtoprevail.org or call

Alex Egan at 401-849-8898.

Inclosing,asalways,thereisplenty

todo--getoutthereanddoit.

FOR SALE2007DodgeCaravan

Handicaptransportvan

Excellentcondition,18Kmiles

Asking$21,000

Call:508-272-1551

April 2012Cord Word

www.nepva.org 7

RICHMOND

2O12

32nd National Veterans

Wheelchair Games

Hosted by Hunter Holmes McGuire VA Medical Center and the

Virginia Mid-Atlantic Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaJune 25-3O, 2O12

Let THE GAMES continue

WHERE IT ALL BEGAN������

����������

Co-presented by:

32nd Games ad_FINAL_Layout 1 11/3/11 1:24 PM Page 1

Cord Word April 2012

www.nepva.org8

continued from page 1school outreach

phot

o: N

asho

ba B

rook

s Sch

ool

MANCHESTER VA SCI-D VETERANS April 19, 2012 LUNCHEON MEETING

The Manchester VAMC SCI-D clinic will have a

presenter from the Manchester Regional Office,

Mary Christine McPhail who is a Veterans Service

Representative. She will give information on the process of

filing a claim and making appeals. She will update us on the

new systems of the claim process and explain who is eligible

for the Aid and Attendance benefit for veterans and their

spouses. An information package will be provided for all

attendees on these programs as well as burial benefits and

death benefits for surviving spouses. Bring your questions

concerning your service connected situation or programs

that you think you might be eligible for and they will be

answered. Lunch will be served at 12:00 noon.

Thursday, April 19 12n-1:30pm

PLEASECALLTOREGISTERbyTUESDAYApril17th

(early registration and a return call if you need to cancel

appreciated!)

603-624-4366 Ext: 6434

Location: Manchester VAMC, basement level

Directions from Main Entrance: Elevator down to “B” level,

LEFT,nextRIGHT,downhall,nextLEFTatPT/OT

check-in area.

Submitted by Paul Redmond, MSW, SCI Coordinator

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

Hampshire. For further information, call Toll Free: (866) 2-GIVING or (866)

244-8464, or visit the NEPVA website: www.nepva.org

We were requested to do an adaptive sports

presentation at the Nashoba Brooks School, where

we met February 10 with the 8th graders and did things a

bit different. We showed the videos of both the Summer

VeteransWheelchairGameswheretheygettoseeallthe

activities we can compete in there, 17 total; then also,

we played the Winter Disabled Sports Clinic in Aspen

where they get to see alpine and Nordic skiing, scuba,

snowmobiling, sled hockey, trout fishing and shooting.

These older students have a good grasp on what is now

possible but seeing it live is much more fun than having

it told to them. They see all the different equipment and

notice we’ve brought 8 sports chairs.

Once we’ve had a short talk, it’s time to break them up into

teams and let them try our game. I paired one experienced

player on each team with 4 students and they all had a

blast. It was sad to whistle them off the court for the next

group to play. Many wanted to stay and play but tests were

waiting and they had to go on their way. It was fun for all

and I thank Joanna Smith for the invite and the school for

itsdonation.IdowanttothankGeorgeNorton,whowas

the referee, Damon Isles, Mark Sanders and Charles Schena

for helping me put on these presentations when requested

by the schools. I would love more volunteers so if any

members out there would like to come and volunteer please

contact the office or myself. I feel this is a very valuable

program informing the public that even though we may

have a disability, we still have many abilities!

April 2012Cord Word

www.nepva.org 9

NEPVA Official Nomination Form – FY 2013

This is an official Nomination Form as approved by the Executive Board of the Paralyzed Veterans

of America, New England Chapter. Your nominees must be life members of New England PVA.

INSTRUCTIONS: Fill in the names of your nominees. Return this form to the NEPVA office

(address below). Tobevalid,thisformmustbesignedbyyouandfiledwiththeSecretary

before4:30pm,May31,2012.

Nominees For Officers

PRESIDENT:___________________________________________________________

VICE PRESIDENT:______________________________________________________

SECRETARY:__________________________________________________________

TREASURER:__________________________________________________________

Nominees For Executive Board

1.____________________________ 5.______________________________

2.____________________________ 6.______________________________

3.____________________________ 7.______________________________

4.____________________________

This official Nomination Form mustbesignedbythemembermakingthenomination(s)inordertobevalid. A letter

will be sent to all persons nominated as candidates to sign acknowledging acceptance. This will be done by the Secretary.

____________________________________ _________________________________

Print NEPVA Member’s Name NEPVA Member’s Signature

Mail Form to: NEPVA, 1600 Providence Hwy., Ste 143, Walpole, MA 02081

Cord Word April 2012

www.nepva.org10

Bruno Stair Lift17 foot, for straight staircase;

Transfer from wheelchair to seat,Seat pivots 90 degrees at top. Trackincluded. Pick up in Hanover, MA.

Call NEPVA

Power WheelchairQuest Everest & Jennings

Controls/Charger Seat dimensions 18 x 17”

Call 508-759-4737

Manual Quickie WheelchairSeat dimensions: 17 ½ x 18 ½”

Call 508-759-4737

Quickie Manual WheelchairWith 18” CushionShower Bench

Wheelchair CushionAvailable in Mansfield, MA

Call NEPVA

Invacare Pronto M-71 Power WheelchairExcellent Condition;

for medium size person Pick up in Woonsocket, RI

Call NEPVA

Scooter fromThe Scooter Store

In or outdoors; right handJoy stick; may need battery;

About 6 years old.Pick up in Middleboro, MA

Call NEPVA

Bruno Liftto lift scooter into

Van or mini-van; needs installation(was $1500 new installed)

Pick up in Middleboro, MACall NEPVA

continued from page 3President’s Report

• Wherewillthevaletserviceparkthecars?VehicleswillbeparkedinLots9-12

and Lot 4 (gated lot).

• Whowillmonitorvehiclesparkedbythevaletservice?Thevendorwillmonitor

the vehicles it parks. VA Police Service will work with the vendor to ensure com-

pliance with the parking restrictions for the reserved spaces.

• Howlongwillittakethevaletservicetoretrievecars?Thevaletserviceshould

return vehicles to patients within 10 minutes.

• Willtrafficoncampusbeimpactedbythevaletservice?Initially,theremaybe

congestion as staff and patients get accustomed to this new service.

• Willusershavetotipthevaletservice?Tippingisnotpermitted.

• Whoisresponsibleintheeventofdamagestovehiclesparkedbytheservice?

The vendor is required to carry insurance to cover potential damage to vehicles.

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.

FREE TO MEMBER

Many thanks go to the long time BASS trail volunteers who raised nearly $5,000 at sportsmen’s shows in Rockingham and Worcester. NEPVA would not have a BASS Trail if it were not for them. (Shown Front row l to r): Nam Knight Ray “Hunter” Brunelle, Debra Freed, Jim Wallack, Laurie Morin, George Morin. (Back row l to r) Gary Clawson, Tiny LaFontaine. (Photo by Bob Abbott)

April 2012Cord Word

www.nepva.org 11

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Methuen, MA 98 Lindbergh Avenue • 781-325-7140Exit 47 off Route 93, right onto Mystic Street.

Visit frankwebb.com for all locations & directions.

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.

New NEPVA Member Benefits Courtesy of Sam’s Club ®

New England Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans (NEPVA) is

excited to announce exclusive new benefits brought to you by

Sam’s Club ®. Members of NEPVA will receive up to a $25

Sam’sClubGiftCardwhensigningupforanewSam’sClub

Plus Membership or renewing an existing Plus Membership

by June 30, 2012.

Or, choose an Advantage or Business Membership and

receivea$10Sam’sClubGiftCardatsign-up.Inadditionto

a year of exceptional value, Advantage Members enjoy time-

saving services in-club and online

Sam’s Club memberships benefits include:• Sam’sClubMembersaveragedsavingsof30%compared

to traditional retailers.

• 200%guaranteeonfreshproducts–allofourfreshmeat,

seafood, produce and bakery products are backed by a

200% money-back guarantee.

• 100%SatisfactionGuarantee–ifatanytimeyou’renot

satisfied with your Membership, we’ll give you a full

refund.

• Sam’sClubPharmacynowacceptsTRICAREand

Express scripts and can fill your prescription in about 20

minutes.

Sam’s Club Plus Members save even more including:

• eValues–Extrasavings,ontopofouralreadyterrific

prices, are loaded on your Membership card and applied

automatically at checkout.

• EnjoymorePharmacysavings-Saveevenmore,ontopof

our already low cash prices, including 8% on name-brand

prescriptions and 40% on generics not part of our $4/$10

generic prescription plan.

• EarlyShoppingHours–PlusandBusinessMemberscan

beat the crowds starting at 7 am Monday-Saturday.

• Earnmorerewards–whenyouuseyourSam’sClub®

Discover®.

If you would like to receive your Cord Word

via email, please send us your email address.

Email us at: info@nepva.org or call the NEPVA

office at: 800-660-1181.

Send NEPVA Your Email Address

Cord Word April 2012

www.nepva.org12

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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.

Washington Update Produced by PVA

Government Relations Department

See www.nepva.org for more

On February 15, the House

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

conducted a hearing to review the

recommendations of the FY 2013

Budget Request for the Department

of Veterans Affairs (VA). The Senate

Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

conducted a similar hearing on February

29. The hearings offered an opportunity

for the VA and veterans service

organization stakeholders to comment

on the Administration’s VA budget

proposal released on February 13. PVA

was invited to offer our views on the

VA budget proposal, specifically with

regards to the VA health-care system.

While we recognize that the

Administration included increases

for most of the accounts of the VA,

PVA expressed serious concerns about

proposals contained in the VA Budget

Request including potential future

reductions in VA spending. PVA is

especially troubled by steps VA has

taken in recent years in order to generate

resources to meet ever-growing demand

on the VA health-care system. In fact,

the FY 2013 Budget Request and FY

2014 advance appropriation budget

proposal released by the Administration

includes “management improvements,”

a popular gimmick used by previous

Administrations to generate savings

and offset the growing costs to deliver

care. Unfortunately, these savings are

often never realized leaving VA short

of necessary funding to address ever-

growing demand.

Of greatest concern to PVA is the VA’s

claim in the FY 2013 Budget Request

that it was provided nearly $3.0

billion in excess resources in FY 2012

and more than $2.0 billion in excess

resources in FY 2013. We question

how the VA can make such a claim,

particularly about FY 2012, when more

than six months remains in this current

fiscal year (FY 2012). The claim of

excess resources does not seem to match

the all-too-common reports that we

receive of understaffed facilities and

unavailability of services. Additionally,

we cannot understand how the VA can

claim excess resources for a fiscal year

(FY 2013) in which it has yet to expend

any resources.

PVA also expressed serious doubts

about the continued downward

HOUSE AND SENATE VA COMMITTEES REVIEW FY 2013 VA BUDGET REQUEST, REAL PROBLEMS OUTLINED BY PVA

April 2012Cord Word

www.nepva.org 13

“(Ride-Away) knew what to do. Dave made all the phone calls to the VA... saving me $25,000!”

Steve poses here with his Ride-Away Sales Consultant, Dave Qualey, of the Londonderry, NH facility.

-Steve Hodgkins Malden, MA

It’s no wonder why Ride-Away customers remain so loyal — Superior Support! 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

Steve poses here with his Ride-Away Sales Consultant, Dave Qualey, of the

888-Ride-Away (888-743-3292)

www.Ride-Away.com

revision of estimates in Medical Care

Collections. In fact, in its original

advance appropriation estimate for

FY 2012, the VA projected collections

of approximately $3.7 billion. Last

year, the Administration revised that

estimate to approximately $3.1 billion.

This year, the Administration once

again revised the collections estimate

for FY 2012 down to approximately

$2.7 billion. At the same time, the

collections estimate for FY 2013 was

revised down from an estimate of $3.3

billion last year to a current estimate

ofapproximately$3.0billion.Given

these revisions, we believed then, and

continue to believe, that the VA budget

request and ultimately the funding

provided through the appropriations

process, was insufficient for VA to meet

the demand on the health-care system,

and may be insufficient going forward.

Regarding the specific

recommendations for advance

appropriations for FY 2014 offered

by the Administration, considering

our concerns about the funding levels

provided for FY 2012 and FY 2013,

PVA believes that those estimates may

be insufficient to meet the continuing

increase in demand for health-care

services. We are also skeptical of the

substantial increase in funding that the

Administration calls for in the Medical

Support and Compliance account for

FY2014.Giventhescrutinyonfunding

for administrative functions within

the VA health-care system, we are not

certain that this projected increase truly

reflects a wise investment in resources.

For FY 2013, the Administration

recommends $55.7 billion for

total Medical Care spending. The

Independent Budget recommends

approximately $57.2 billion for total

medical care. In light of the VA’s claims

of excess resources, PVA urged the

Committees to remain vigilant to ensure

that the proposed funding levels for FY

2013 and the advance appropriations for

FY 2014 are in fact sufficient to meet

the continued growth in demand on the

health-care system.

To review the full statements of

PVA submitted to the House and

Senate Committees on Veterans’

Affairs, please visit the PVA website

at www.pva.org. For information

on the recommendations of The

Independent Budget, please visit www.

independentbudget.org.

Cord Word April 2012

www.nepva.org14

MobilityAdaptive

Equipment

VOTED #1IN CUSTOMER

SERVICE

LARGEST RAMPVANINVENTORY AT ONE

LOCATION IN SOUTHERNNEW ENGLAND!

Welcome To

Free Veterans Maintenance Program*

We work with the VA for you. New van upgrades every 2 years saving

you $25,000 on average and sometimes very little out of pocket.

-VETERAN SPECIALS--VETERAN SPECIALS--VETERAN SPECIALS-

www.amemobility.com1551 Fall River Avenue, Seekonk, MA 02771

*Please call for details and qualifi cations

1-800-311-2849

If you can’t come to uswe’ll come to you

LIFETIMEWARRANTY(Call or visit us for

more information)

April 2012Cord Word

www.nepva.org 15

Update your hand controls!

...drive with both hands on the wheel

It’s so comfortable!

Just press the ring to accelerate. Brake with the left- or right-hand brake integrated in the dash-board.

Your knee area remains free of metal parts. You maintain all adjustments of your steering column and all airbags including the knee-airbag remain functional.

DARIOS adapts its sensitivity to the speed of your car.

DARIOS uses 2 sensors inside the steering wheel to be compliant with car manufacturers’ safety standards. It sends the information from the ring to its main controller under the dashboard using digital signals to be immune to electro-magnetic noise.

Digital Accelerator Ring optimized for speed

KEMPF is a NMEDA member.

Visit: www.kempf-usa.com to find comments from users accross the country or to request a quotation.

Call Toll-free: 1-888-4-KEMPF-US (453-6738) for a free DVD and free brochure.

DARIOS let’s you drive with both hands on the wheel

DARIOS is VA accepted.

KEMPF features nationwide free at-home pick-up and delivery and at-home service.

Users’ comments: “I feel like I’m in control of my vehicle again!”“The system appears a part of the original equipment of the vehicle.”

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

21st Annual Sebastian DeFrancesco NEPVA Golf Tournament

May 29, 2012(the day after Memorial Day)

Blue Hill Country Club Canton, MA

Call the NEPVA office for further information.

21st Annual Sebastian DeFrancesco NEPVA Golf Tournament

May 29, 2012(the day after Memorial Day)

Blue Hill Country Club Blue Hill Country Club Canton, MACanton, MA

Call the NEPVA office for further information.

2012 NEPVA Bass Trail Schedule

May 26 Maine, Location TBA

June 9 Charles River, Boston

July 21 Lake Champlain-Fort Ticondaroga Ramp, Vermont

Sept. 8-9 PVA National Bass Tournament, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH

Sept. 15-16 NEPVA Bass Tournament, Lake Winnipesaukee, NH and TOC