Paralyzed Veterans of America

A very worthy organization:

Paralyzed Veterans of America: http://www.supportveterans.org/index.htm
Helping veterans rebuild shattered lives

Before World War II, the only thing that soldiers with spinal cord injury had to look forward to was life in a VA hospital bed. Their life expectancy was a couple of years, at best. And there were few, if any, resources for those confined to a wheelchair.

But in the 1940s, medical advancements dramatically improved the prospects of living with spinal cord injury. In fact, the approximately 2,500 World War II veterans returning to the United States with spinal cord injuries had a life expectancy comparable to that of able-bodied individuals.

But what would their lives be like? The world wasn’t equipped for wheelchairs, or the medical challenges confronting these men and women.

Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) was formed to ensure that these veterans got, as Theodore Roosevelt said more than a century ago, a "square deal." And that has been our goal ever since.

PVA Today: A vital advocate for paralyzed veterans

As a major voice in the veterans’ community, PVA advocates for more than 21,000 members. Our members represent those who have served in virtually every major U.S. conflicts past and present including Iraq, the war against terrorism in Afghanistan, Vietnam, Korea, and World War II.

Whether it’s accessibility issues, veterans benefits and services, advocacy, spinal cord injuries research , or sports and recreation programs, PVA fights for those who answered the call when our nation asked for their service… and in return have given up their freedom to protect ours.

Through your support, PVA helps paralyzed veterans get the help they need. With help from generous individuals, in 2004:

• PVA Service Officers conducted more than 24,000 counseling sessions with veterans and their families.

• PVA representatives traveled more than 186,000 miles throughout the country serving veterans and their families.

• PVA served more than 20,000 paralyzed veterans and their families and provided assistance to another 15,000 severely disabled veterans, their families and survivors.

• PVA provided more than 175,000 hours of voluntary service at VA medical centers across the country.

• PVA filed more than 17,000 benefit claims for our clients with the Department of Veterans Affairs.

• PVA awarded 31 grants totaling nearly $1,500,000 for spinal cord injury research and education to find a cure for paralysis.

• PVA delivered more than 500,000 cards to our hospitalized vets.

• PVA offered membership at no charge to more than 21,000 veterans with spinal cord injury or disease.

And we want to do more in 2005. PVA cannot succeed without you. The reality is you really do make a difference. It’s that simple.

How you can give back to our nation’s veterans?

Support PVA Today! Make a contribution, learn more about our efforts to promote legislation, send a message to a veteran in the hospital.