Contemplating the Meaning behind What We Have Missed The months of May and June are filled with meaningful dates to American patriots, historians, and sentimentalists— Mother’s Day on the second Sunday in May, Memorial Day on the fourth Monday, D-Day (the allied liberation of Western Europe in 1944) June 6, Flag Day June 14, and Father’s Day the third Sunday in June, which in 2020 will be June 21. These are unprecedented times for carrying […]

BVA / BVUK Pursue Joint Ocular Trauma Task Force The Blinded Veterans Association and Blind Veterans UK, already partners for some nine years in a series of initiatives that include residential and recreational rehabilitation, mentorship, and adaptive technology through Project Gemini, are now joining forces in an effort to gain support for a United States-United Kingdom Joint Ocular Trauma Task Force (JOTTF)that could move eye and vision research to even greater heights within the two […]

The Royal Society Formally the Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, is the United Kingdom’s version of the national academy of sciences. Promoting excellence in science since 1660, it is the world’s oldest independent scientific academy. Left to right, Ginger Zampieri, Dr. Tom Zampieri, Dr. Renata Gomes, and James Jorkasky.

NEI STUDY REVEALS BROAD IMPLICATIONS FOR VISION RESTORATION A research project that was originally initiated to restore vision loss from dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) may have broader applicability than originally believed. The research focuses on gene therapy that could treat additional eye diseases, both rare and common. Funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI), the research uses gold nanoparticles together with light to target specific cells in mouse retina. The scientists involved believe the […]

Historic Anniversary Commemorated Quietly March 28, 2020 was to be a day to remember in the annals of BVA’s history, just as it was 75 years before—to the very day. It will still be a day to remember, just not the way it was originally intended to be remembered.  On March 28, 1945, at 8:45 a.m., approximately 100 young men who had recently lost their sight in World War II combat gathered for a meeting […]

VAWK QSG COVID-19 VA Releases Guide for VA Health Care Benefits. This guide will help you learn how to use your VA health care benefits during this emerging health crisis and will provide links and resources you can reference to protect yourself and others.

20-023 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE March 27, 2020 VA Releases COVID-19 Response Plan WASHINGTON – The U.S Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) made public, March 27, the COVID-19 Response Plan it is executing within its medical facilities to protect Veterans, their families and staff. VA deems the plan a valuable tool that’s useful for the nationwide medical community. The “For Official Use Only” designation has been removed from the plan, making it publicly available. This access […]

COVID-19 Action Plan for Blind Rehabilitation Centers Purpose: To provide clear communication to the 13 VHA Inpatient Blind Rehabilitation Centers (BRCs) regarding current and pending admissions.   Action:  Effective immediately and until further notice, all VA BRCs will suspend and postpone admitting patients in order limit COVID-19 exposure risk for Veterans being treated in and traveling to / from these facilities.  Veterans who are currently inpatients in a BRC will be evaluated and managed for […]

Veterans Health Administration Fact Sheet — COVID-19 The Veterans Health Administration (VHA) is working closely with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other Federal agencies to monitor and respond to the current outbreak of Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the United States. VHA is operating in accordance with CDC guidance and actively participating in response efforts in local communities to address the outbreak. Help Us Spread […]

Georgia Blinded Vet A True Spark of Light in the Darkness Thanks to the leadership of Elizabeth Holmes, currently the organization’s National Treasurer and previously the president of the Columbus Chapter of the Georgia Regional Group, the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) has been a shining light wherever Liz sees fit to offer her time, energy, and expertise in service to her community and her fellow blinded veterans. Liz herself brightens the lives of others as […]