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BVA Blog

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The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced on April 25 an expansion of its “Close to Me” cancer care program under which VA clinicians travel to provide veterans with the full continuum of cancer care at nearby community-based outpatient clinics, often in rural locations. The expansion will bring new cancer diagnosis, treatment, and surveillance services to an additional 9,000 veterans and 30 locations by the end of October 2025, providing veterans with what Secretary Denis
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Veterans may be largely unaware of the option of a personal home when they are no longer able to safely live independently in the community. VHA’s Medical Foster Home (MFH) program offers a type of Community Residential Care (CRC) home chosen by veterans with serious chronic disabling conditions that meet nursing home level of care needs but who prefer a non-institutional setting for their long-term care. MFH brings together a person who is willing to
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Last week I promised to share more about my adventures with my dad, Sheldon. The independence and companionship I provide as a guide dog opens a safer and more expanded world for Dad, who is a blind veteran. We attended a concert by his favorite singer, Fantasia, and have also seen the amazing Harlem Globetrotters at the American Airlines Center in Dallas. As a team, we have visited the Dallas VA Medical Center often and
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Photo Caption: Left to right, National BVA Auxiliary President Robert Murphy, Jared Prisbrey, Paul Mimms, and Heartland Regional Group President Jeanie Murphy. Regional groups throughout the country continue to be on the move to hold spring meetings to determine which members of the group will attend the BVA 79th National Convention and to elect convention delegates and alternate delegates. The urgency is, at least in part, due to the early July convention dates. The Heartland
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BVA Emerald Coast Regional Group President Darryl Goldsmith represented the Association at an official ribbon-cutting ceremony on March 30 at the recently completed Pensacola, Florida, Vet Center. Unlike VA Medical Centers and Community-Based Outpatient Clinics that focus on physical health issues, Vet Centers offer mental health-centric services.  Darryl was joined at the March 30 ceremony by Florida State Representative Michelle Salzman, Vet Center Director Douglas (Rush) McQueen, Ph.D., the Center’s Veterans Outreach Program Specialist (VOPS)
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Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month on April 30, 1999, to ensure that the nation was given the opportunity to publicly show appreciation for troops past and present. The month-long observance serves as a reminder of the profound contributions made by service members. May was chosen since several military-related observances, in addition to Memorial Day, are already commemorated in May. Then Senator John McCain proposed the observance, and the Senate approved it 93-0. 
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Photo Caption: Back row, left to right, Bill Laughlin, Carolyn Graham, and Paul Mimms with guide dog Shadow. Frank Graham is seated in the motorized chair and, together with Paul, holds up the Braille flag for display. On April 30, BVA National President Paul Mimms delivered a Braille flag to the Veterans Home in Cameron, Missouri, approximately an hour from his home in Kansas City. The donation was made on behalf of the Heartland Regional
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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) last week finalized a rule under Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 that prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability, advancing equity and bolstering protections for people with disabilities. BVA was among a number of organizations openly supporting the additional protections, which address discrimination in medical treatment, add enforceable standards for accessible medical diagnostic equipment, and ensure accessible web content and mobile applications.  The
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79th National Convention Updates

Posted by Kylie Fitzgerald on  May 10, 2024
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Category: Blog, BVA Happenings
Photo Caption: The Ritz Museum, part of the Ritz Theatre in the LaVilla neighborhood of downtown Jacksonville, documents the culture and history of people of African descent in northeast Florida. Photo courtesy of Visit Jacksonville. All BVA members are strongly encouraged to register immediately for the BVA National Convention with both BVA and the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville Riverfront Hotel. Completing the registration process will ensure entry into all BVA-specific activities and meetings held July 7-10,
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To the moms of BVA and moms everywhere, Happy Mother’s Day! This Sunday, Americans will continue a tradition that began in 1908 when Anna Jarvis sent 500 white carnations on May 10 to Andrews Methodist Episcopal Church in her hometown of Grafton, West Virginia. Six years later in 1914, President Woodrow Wilson issued a Presidential proclamation declaring the second Sunday of May to reverence and express love for the mothers of our country. Soon thereafter,

Veterans of the U.S. Military nationwide have begun asking about economic impact payments as a result of the recent stimulus package passed by Congress and signed by the President. The Blinded Veterans Association has recently joined forces with lawmakers and other advocates of veterans to request clarification regarding these COVID-19 economic payments for those who receive compensation from the Department of Veterans Affairs but who do not normally file tax returns or receive payments from Social Security. A series of news releases offers clarification about such payments as well as for Social Security recipients.

Headquarters Statement Regarding COVID-19

The Blinded Veterans Association has been closely monitoring developments related to the COVID-19 virus from its Alexandria headquarters. We are especially mindful of our BVA membership and their families, located throughout the United States, during this most challenging time. Their health and welfare are our highest priority and the National Board of Directors continues to explore means by which our veterans with vision loss may be assisted in areas such as transportation, shopping, and filling prescriptions.

 

We are also concerned about the continued health and safety of our employees and their families. After much thoughtful consideration and deliberation among our national leaders and headquarters staff, BVA has determined to move all but a few of its employees to a virtual work environment until further notice. We will likely have a limited number of staff members still in our office, for the time being, but the specific days and hours may be reduced and/or shortened.

 

BVA staff will continue to take calls and read emails during this time. When calling BVA’s direct number, 202-371-8880, or the toll-free number, 800-669-7079, please use the recorded menu to contact a staff member directly or his/her department. Normally those two numbers reach a live receptionist. If this does not occur, a caller can still leave a voicemail with the receptionist, a department, or another individual. The time necessary to return a call may be extended somewhat at this time but we will make every effort possible to contact as soon as possible those who attempt to reach us. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any concern.

 

We wish our entire BVA family health, safety, and the best of spirits possible during this difficulty period throughout the world. We are confident that we can all get through this together.

 

Dr. Tom Zampieri, BVA National President

Joe Bogart, BVA Executive Director