Paralyzed Veterans of America - Kentucky Indiana Chapter

the kentucky/indiana Chapter of pva provides information, resources, tools and encouragement our members who are citizens of the united states who have served in the military and have sustained a spinal cord injury or disease. Our programs and services also support their families and caregivers. Our robust sports program consists of many activities. We coordinate and fund an annual fishing tournament which groups up Paralyzed Veterans with boat captains. Many local businesses, both in our local community, as well as in the community of kuttawa, donate resources either financially or value in kind like food/meals, hands-on assistance and lifting participants into and out of the boats and other support during the tournament. Our membership program includes meetings and picnics in various locations throughout Kentucky and Indiana. Visits to the lexington, louisville and indianapolis va hospitals ensure we advocate for the patient care and programs our members and all Veterans deserve and have earned. Individual members can request reimbursements for various meaningful activities. Some compete both locally and nationally in sports, such as boccia and dragon boat racing. Others enjoy hobbies such as woodworking, gardening, hunting, air rifles, scuba diving, fishing, bowling. the Chapter established this grant program recently which has become an effective way to support them in their specific passions and reintegrate into society. We also funded research and educational programs which pursue the eventual cure for paralysis and advance new technologies into bettering the lives of all Paralyzed. the collaboration with a local eagle riders bike club has resulted in doing work around the Chapter's office building and fundraising including designated bike rides. Year over year this support increased from 15,000 to 23,000 to fund programs. Membership engagement includes the scheduling of meet & greet's events which create camaraderie, and we mailed out a survey to attain their interests and feedback which has guided future program development. We hosted a women's retreat for our female members along with their caregivers to connect and encourage one another. We offered wheelchair yoga, spiritual/faith encouragement, pampering items, gift bags and a nice lunch.