Also in this issue:  

PVA President's Message  
Paralyzed Veterans of America National President Gene A. Crayton highlights Memorial Day's history and urges everyone to observe it in its original intent, and not just a day for cookouts and parties.

Reasons & Remarks redivivus  
Contributor: Richard Hoover, Editor
The issue of air travel for people with disabilities is always a hot topic! Send in descriptions of your worst experiences of air travel. We will compile the responses and hopefully get the airlines' attention.

Readers Respond  
Letters praise PN, discuss pumping gas in Oregon vs. elsewhere, and express appreciation for an article about cathing.

Just for Women  

• More than 8,000 women vets receive healthcare services at The DeBakey VA Medical Center Women's Health Center in Houston. The facility anticipates enrolling an additional 6,000 and has examination tables and other features for women with disabilities.
• mobileWOMEN.org is an online magazine that addresses everyday issues for women in wheelchairs.
• Mobility International U.S.A. (MIUSA) is sponsoring a WILD Conference for women with disabilities.

  Living Well  

  • Just like doctors, nurses, and other caregivers, patients play a critical role in their healthcare. Patient-doctor communication is a vital component to safe, effective care. Now is the time to take an active role: speak up, pay attention, educate yourself, have an advocate, know your medications, and participate in all decisions.
  • Slightly larger than a key fob, the LifeGuard30™ device holds ups to 30 pages of medical information.
  • Easy Access Clothing customizes apparel in order to increase independence for people.

    A Closer Look  
    Contributor: Justin Laferrier, MSPT, OCS, SCSM, ATP, CSCS
    A State of the Science symposium at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in January focused on assistive technology (AT) for people with disabilities. Today's AT includes not just innovations for mobility but encompasses all devices and systems that improve quality of life: wheelchair seating and positioning, speech-output, aural assistive listening and alerting, hearing-aid dispensing, and specialized computer equipment and software. Presentation topics included telerehabilitation, shoulder rehab (the MGA Exoskeleton), breakthroughs for vision (Brain Port), post-stroke walking (Zero G), virtual reality (AVESS), powered mobility, and service delivery.

    Research Update  
    People with paralysis may soon have a new solution to their mobility challenges: The ReWalk™ Exoskeletal Powered Walking System is nearing the end of clinical trials in the U.S. and could be available by the end of this year.

    Mobility and More  

    • Jean Hartley didn't listen when people told her, "It can't be done!" Her scooter now fits in her apple-red VW Beetle's trunk, and the invention that makes it happen has brought her new independence and freedom.
    • The National Mobility Equipment Dealers Association (NMEDA) has a brand-new logo that conveys what the organization is all about: automotive mobility solutions and services for people with disabilities.

    Do You Know...?  
    Contributor: Alder Allensworth, LMHC, MM, CFP®
    What benefits are available to veterans? In addition to PVA National Service Offices, how and where can you get them? One good resource is the National Association of County Veteran Service officers (NACVSO). If are a veteran but not a PVA member, and you want assistance or need help obtaining benefits, contact NACVSO. Staff will do their best to answer your questions or help you contact the county or state veterans service officer nearest your place of residence. You also can visit the "officer and committees" page and get in touch with an officer directly.

    Around the House  
    Contributor: Larry Weinstein
    Bathrooms can present many physical challenges for all family members, but especially for people with disabilities. The correct design of this room should help maximize performing daily hygiene activities. Entry doors, flooring, maneuvering areas, track-mounted transfer units, ventilation, mirror locations, vanity countertops, and accessories are among the topics discussed in this article.

    On the Hill  
    The March 15 issue of Washington Update, published by the PVA Government Relations program, reports on Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research infrastructure shortfalls.

    Veteran Advisor  
    Contributor: Anthony Steele, PVA Senior NSO
    Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is the development of characteristic symptoms following exposure to an extreme traumatic stressor involving direct personal experience of an event with actual or threatened death or serious injury. Steele lists the normal symptoms, tells how to establish service-connection for this condition, and includes how to treat it.

    Travel Tips  

    • Some tour companies at ports of call are willing to accommodate people with disabilities using wheelchairs. On Saint Thomas Island, an accessible "trolley"-type bus has a lift and many other accessibility features.
    • Washington, D.C., now has some accessible taxicabs, operated by Royal Cab and Yellow Cab.
    • Wilderness Inquiry can take you through Montana's "Big Sky" country while paddling the Missouri River.

    Fish Tales  
    Paralyzed Veterans of America hosted the 2010 Offshore Fishing outing in Islamorada, Fla. Twelve servicemembers recently wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan enjoyed a week of relaxation and fishing in the Florida Keys. The anglers landed just a few sailfish, but king mackerel were plentiful.

    Hunts-up  
    Chad Waligura dove into a swimming pool and broke his neck at C6-7 when he hit bottom. When he began hunting again, he couldn't find much information about how to do it. So he created Follow Me Outdoors (FMO) as an information source for people with disabilities who want to hunt and fish.

    Sports and Recreation  

    • The fourth season of the PVA/NWPA National Wheelchair Billiards Series began with the Mid-America PVA Sooner Shootout, in Tulsa. John Reynolds, returning Main Event champion from the 2009 event, was determined to retain his title.
    • 49th American Wheelchair Bowling Association (AWBA) National Championships will take place in Houston in June.
    • The third annual Paralyzed Veterans Golf Open, on May 24, will raise funds for PVA's vocational rehabilitation services program.
    • Helen Hayes Hospital Adapted Sports & Recreation Program offers a wide variety of activities that accommodate the needs of people with physical disabilities.

    Money Talks  
    Contributor: Daniel C. Jones
    Should you have Roth IRA or contribute to a traditional IRA? Which is best for people with disabilities? What exceptions might apply?

    Money Talks  

    • A youthful design team from south Florida wins the Accessible City Award, part of the nationwide Future City Competition. PVA sponsored the award.
    • Dr. Robert A. Petzel is the new under secretary for Health within the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
    • Mobility International U.S.A. (MIUSA) is sponsoring a program on sports for youth with disabilities, leading a delegation of young adults from New York City on the 2010 U.S./Costa Rica Cross-Cultural Perspectives on Disability Rights Leadership Exchange Program, and holding a week-long Preparatory Workshop for FLEX Students with Disabilities.
    • A new and improved National Resource Directory Web site is available for America's wounded warriors, their caregivers, other members of the veteran community, and employers.
    • How to avoid becoming a victim of a social-engineering scam.

    Innovations  
    Imagine the monster truck of wheelchairs (the Bounder Plus H-Frame power chair) and a touch-free door-opening system (Sanidoor™). Stop dreaming—they're available!

    And Finally...  
    It's just a long weekend to many people, but Memorial Day should be a time of remembrance.