Listen beginning tomorrow as Visions of BVA host Steve Baskis sits down with guests Bill Graves, President of the New Jersey Regional Group; John O’Connell, Director of District 1; Dr. Jay McLeod, President of the Carolina Regional Group; and Irena Howard, Superstar Award Recipient at the 79th National Convention. Each of the guests is an Association member trained and experienced as a BVA Ambassador. Bill and John share their inspiring journey of teamwork and leadership […]

As we approach the end of 2024, I am honored to wish our BVA members, their family members, and our loyal friends a joyful holiday season. My hope is for you to experience an outpouring of the best this special time of year has to offer. I also wish to share some of my own reflections on the progress of the Blinded Veterans Association during the calendar year 2024. Many things have occurred that, in […]

Annie Dixon has been named the new Interim Director of District 2. She has become an active member of BVA in 2024 but has volunteered with the VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (formerly VA Voluntary Services) since 2015. In that capacity, Annie assisted with individual and group activities to help blind and low vision veterans regain their independence and quality of life, enabling their successful integration into family and community life. Annie is […]

Members of the Tennessee Regional Group from the Memphis area dedicated themselves to a little educational and physical activity October 14-15, beginning with a downtown Memphis display table (see accompanying photo) and a three-mile walk with their white canes. On the previous night, the group held a catered “Dining in the Dark” private event that educated and entertained many of their family members and friends. “We had a great time with all these events, and […]

An incorrectly identified photo and a few bits of information not yet complete in last week’s BVA Happenings have prompted a follow-up version of last week’s entry about the passing of Darryl Goldsmith, a BVA stalwart both nationally and through service to multiple regional groups. Darryl Goldsmith, a dedicated BVA member and leader who served the organization and his fellow blinded veterans for more than 30 years, passed away on October 20 after a short […]

National Physician Assistant Week, recently completed last week, occurs every year in October. Treating patients in today’s complex health care settings requires a complete team of professionals. Among these medical workers are Physician Assistants (PA’s), broadly trained in a wide spectrum of conditions and tasks. Low vision member, Michelle O’Connor of Fredericksburg, Virginia, joins BVA Past National President Dr. Tom Zampieri as a professional in the field. Michelle currently works as a PA at Fort […]

Blinded Veterans Association National Executive Director Donald D. Overton, Jr. was the guest on the most recent podcast of Civic Warriors, a series produced by the 50-year-old Withum firm. The podcast series invites leaders in the nonprofit industry affecting change; civic warriors of the world—innovators, leaders on the front lines of adversity, and all-around good people doing good deeds. In the 54-minute Episode 65, Don shares first his personal journey and his insights into BVA’s […]

BVA regional groups and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Blind Rehabilitation Service (BRS) support groups traditionally commemorate the significance of white cane safety through pre-planned public events such as group walks, fairs, exhibits, or educational forums at VA facilities. Thanks to motivated BVA members and VA Visual Impairment Services Team (VIST) Coordinators, productive activities are scheduled in various parts of the country throughout the month of October but especially on October 15. President Lyndon B. […]

The Veterans Benefits Administration has initiated a long-term effort to address the invasion of “claims predators” into the lives of America’s veterans. Last week’s BVA Happenings defined claims predators as “bad actors” that attempt to unlawfully charge veterans a fee to “help” them process their claims with VA when it is provided free by VA accredited attorneys, claims agents, or National Service Officers working in the BVA Veterans Service Program. Aggressive communication techniques, accompanied by […]

This Thursday, October 10 marks World Sight Day. Observed annually on the second Thursday of October, World Sight Day is a global event to encourage awareness of blindness and the varying degrees of sight loss. It was originally initiated by the SightFirst Campaign of Lions Club International in 2000 and has since been integrated into VISION 2020. The World Sight Day recognition is now coordinated by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) […]