VA is partnering with the National Institutes of Health in a first of its kind collaborative study in Bethesda, Maryland, to better understand Gulf War illness (GWI). The study, entitled Project IN-DEPTH, seeks to create new biomarkers for more accurate diagnosis, explain the biological mechanisms that drive chronic symptoms, and lay the groundwork for better treatments of GWI, which is a complex, poorly understood illness.   GWI has affected about a third of veterans deployed […]

Donald, a golden lab, looking straight at the camera. He is wearing his harness and has a little US flag-printed bow tie around his neck. New to BVA Happenings in 2024, the Ambassadog Scoop Series features guide dogs that have become significant in the lives of Association members and their families. The series offers news, tips, and guidance for dog handlers and others who spend time in the company of guide dogs.  Teresa Galgano’s Donald […]

The cover of the book “Grandpa’s White Cane.” The cover depicts a cartoon drawing of a man with a white cane walking down a sidewalk surrounded by green grass and trees. The audiobook version of Grandpa’s White Cane, by Jim Hoxie and Joanna Jones with cartoonist and former reporter Alex Portal as Illustrator, is now available through Braille and Audio Reading Download (BARD), a program of the National Library Service (NLS) for the Blind and […]

Dive into the opportunities offered by BVA’s Kathern F. Gruber Scholarships – a chance like no other for spouses, dependent children, and grandchildren of blind and low vision veterans seeking support for their higher education tuition. Applications for the 2024-25 academic year are due April 30 for the five awards valued at $2,000 each. The scholarships can be a valuable help to students and their families.  The application process is straightforward with applicants evaluated on […]

The Blinded Veterans Association joined Paralyzed Veterans of America, Disabled American Veterans, and the Wounded Warrior Project this week in support of a bipartisan and bicameral bill that would require the VA Secretary to establish a comprehensive standard for timing between medical referrals and appointment times for care at VA facilities, and to submit a report outlining VA compliance with that standard.  S. 3598, Scheduling for Community Health and Easy Data to Understand for Legislators […]

Chelsea White, Outreach Specialist for The Seeing Eye, Inc., of Morristown, New Jersey, will address The Seeing Eye’s admissions process during next Tuesday’s (January 16) Dog Handlers Group meeting.  All past, present, and prospective dog handlers among BVA’s blind and low vision veterans are encouraged to join the session via Zoom at 4:00pm Eastern Time. The session’s agenda also includes a visit from BVA Director of Development Meredith Buono-DaGrossa. She will introduce attendees to the […]

Donald, a golden lab, looking straight at the camera. He is wearing his harness and has a little US flag-printed bow tie around his neck. New to BVA Happenings in 2024, the Ambassadog Scoop Series features guide dogs that have become significant in the lives of Association members and their families. The series offers news, tips, and guidance for dog handlers and others who spend time in the company of guide dogs.  Donald was introduced […]

BVA Executive Director and Army veteran Don Overton, Tennessee Regional Group Secretary/Treasurer and Navy veteran Calvin Poole, and Mid-Atlantic Regional Group President and Army veteran Michaun Harrison appeared on last Sunday’s Operation Confidence “America’s Invisible Heroes” Talk Show, available now as a podcast on YouTube. The three together used the balance of the program to promote BVA’s mission, programs, and current initiatives. They also discussed the BVA Auxiliary (BVAA) and other opportunities to volunteer and […]