Mike Cook, Arkansas Regional Group, and Randy Cantrell, Spokane Inland Empire Regional Group, are the newly named Directors of Districts 2 and 4, respectively. District 2 is comprised of the following states: Arkansas, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Michigan, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Tennessee, and Wisconsin. District 4 includes: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Oregon, Texas, Washington, and Wyoming.  A Vietnam veteran of the U.S. Air Force, […]

It may have been Halloween but members of the Mid-Atlantic Regional Group and staff of the Washington, DC VA Medical Center’s Vision Impairment Services Outpatient Rehabilitation (VISOR) Clinic had their minds on an equally important but different theme as they made their way to an all-day October 31 event promoting awareness of the White Cane and care of our nation’s blind and low vision veterans.  Some 20 attendees (see accompanying photos) from the regional group […]

Two BVA members this past week captured the attention of their local television news media. The focus in both cases is their demonstrated persistence to lead active, productive lives despite losing their sight.  Vietnam veteran Edward Collins, Tennessee Regional Group, was featured on WBIR-TV in Knoxville, Tennessee, in a segment entitled “Service and Sacrifice: Blind but Ambitious.” The interview is available for viewing here. James Malone, an at-large BVA member from Tempe, Arizona, with only […]

In this week’s BVA Happenings, Deputy Director of Government Relations Alek Libbin names a few useful sources of information for keeping abreast of legislative issues nationally. The subject of a previous blurb was the chaos created by the removal of the Speaker of the House of Representatives. After a turbulent 22 days, the drama seems to have settled for the time being with this past Wednesday’s election of Representative Mike Johnson (R-LA-4) to the Speakership.  […]

Veterans Experience Action Centers (VEACs) are virtual or in-person events hosted by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) in coordination with state and community organizations to quickly connect veterans and their families to needed resources. The activities offer veterans the opportunity to speak directly with VA and community experts to obtain one-on-one assistance in the areas of health care, benefits, community services, peer-to-peer connection, memorial affairs, crisis resources, and women veteran coordinators. On October 31 […]

Sabrina Jacobs, a U.S. Army Veteran and VA employee, has dealt with multiple illnesses and injuries from the daily physical requirements of being a soldier for 26 years. However, VA’s Whole Health initiative helped her return to a full life of doing what matters most to her. Sabrina’s personal Whole Health journey has also included acupuncture and other integrative health practices that complement her own self-care.  With October being Person-Centered Care Month, it is an […]

BVA National Headquarters last month received from VA a limited supply of 11” X 17” printed posters to publicize and promote fast approaching Veterans Day, now just three weeks away! The posters can be displayed in classrooms, civic and community centers, government buildings such as VA facilities, military installations, and individual offices across the country. Although the BVA allotment is limited and most have already been requested, a few extra copies remain for interested BVA […]

Steamboat Adaptive Recreational Sports (STARS) in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, opened registration for four ski adventures in early 2024 for disabled veterans, including a new program session for women veterans only. Lodging, ski equipment, lift ticket, along with breakfast, snacks, and dinner, are all included in the 5-day/4-night package. Lodging is at the STARS Ranch. Read more. Session dates are: Veterans Ski & Ride Session 1: January 14 – 18 Women’s Ski & Ride Week: February […]

Supporting last week’s National Buddy Check Week, BVA will continue for the foreseeable future with its own Buddy Check effort, carried out by the Association’s two graduating classes of Ambassadors. The effort includes a check on well-being and an offer of support.  Ambassadors are trained blind and low vision volunteers who are passionate about helping other veterans. They are reaching out by phone or email simply to check in and provide information about BVA resources […]