A USA Today Veterans Day special edition, published annually, has included a feature story in this year’s issue on blinded veterans and their current challenges and opportunities in adjusting to life with vision loss. The article, composed by freelance writer Matt Alderton, touches on issues such as recovery, rehabilitation and training, education and career planning, relationships, legislation, technology, and guide dogs. BVA Executive Director Donald Overton, former BVA National President David Szumowski (San Diego Regional […]

Although the coronavirus pandemic has affected the rules, offerings, and gatherings at national restaurant chains for Veterans Day 2020, a number of free food and discount opportunities are still available to blinded veterans and their families. Most of the free meals and other deals to celebrate veterans and their service are for dine-in patrons only, but a few chains are exercising even greater flexibility than usual. At one establishment, for example, free meal and beverage […]

U.S. Secretary of the Interior David L. Bernhardt today announced at the Iowa Gold Star Museum that U.S. Military veterans and Gold Star families will be granted free access to national parks, wildlife refuges, and other federal lands managed by the Department of the Interior beginning on Veterans Day (November 11) this year and every day thereafter. Secretary Bernhardt’s announcement, made on behalf of the Trump Administration, came following the signing of a Presidential Executive […]

As a former Medical Service Corps Officer of the United States Navy beginning in 1989, Laurie Cutlip served as a staff Dietitian at the National Naval Medical Center (now Walter Reed) and was then advanced to the position of Head, Nutrition Education. She was asked to head the Clinical Nutrition Department simultaneously while retaining her position as head of Nutrition Education. She developed standards of nutrition care for all areas of inpatient dietetics. Other responsibilities […]

Unconstrained by a pandemic and the effects of last weekend’s Hurricane Delta all around them, longtime Louisiana-Mississippi Regional Group members Gary Schoelerman and Darrel Stoute ventured out on White Cane Day to present a bronze braille U.S. flag to the Lafayette, Louisiana VA Community Based Outpatient Clinic. Peter Dancy, CEO/Director of the Alexandria, Louisiana VA Health Care System, received the donation in a brief ceremony outside the clinic. KATC-TV, an ABC local television affiliate in […]

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and the Elizabeth Dole Foundation are partnering to present the 5th annual “National Virtual Convening, Caregivers at the Forefront” this Monday, October 19, from 1:00pm until 4:30 Eastern Daylight Time. Sponsored by Phillips, the virtual event recognizes that caregiving has never been more important nor more difficult than in the present COVID-19 climate. It is free and open to the public but requires an online pre-registration for admission. Leading […]

The Blinded Veterans Association’s Government Relations Team has developed BVA +Voters Guide 2020, a step-by-step approach to voting in the upcoming November 3 national and local elections and highlighted by specific tips for veterans with vision loss. The GUIDE includes an orientation on how to register to vote, choosing the most appropriate method of voting based on personal circumstances, the act of voting itself, potential problems in voting, and helpful resources and links. BVA National […]

Make a difference in the lives of blinded veterans and beat the holiday hustle at the same time while you shop Amazon Prime Day deals October 13-14! The online retailer’s annual shopping event brings prices that have been slashed on thousands of products from small businesses and top brands. AmazonSmile is a simple way to make a financial donation to BVA while shopping these Prime Day deals. Simply use https://smile.amazon.com/ch/53-0214281 while shopping or shop with […]

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) National Program Director of Ophthalmology Services Glenn C. Cockerham, MD will speak at a Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) webinar October 15, National White Cane Day Awareness Day, at 12:30pm Eastern Daylight Time. BVA members, their families, VA employees, and other stakeholders in the field of blind rehabilitation are invited to attend Dr. Cockerham’s briefing. He will explore current research trends and advances in the field of ophthalmology and provide an […]

The Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) took a leading role this past summer at the Workshop on Veterans’ Access to Health Care presented by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. The two-day virtual workshop afforded BVA Executive Director Donald D. Overton, Jr. the opportunity to represent the interests of veterans and Veterans Service Organizations during the program. The event examined patient-centered methods to optimize access to high-quality health care for veterans. It featured invited […]