Latest news with #ParalyzedVeteransofAmerica
USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
Paralyzed travelers reveal just what it takes for them to hit the road
Shaun Castle cannot imagine a life without travel. 'I love seeing the world. For me, there's no bigger fear than I'm stuck at home staring at a wall,' he said. However, it's not easy as a paraplegic. 'There's no room for spontaneity. There's no room for surprises,' he said. 'Every single portion of my traveling life – and pretty much my life in general, but my traveling life especially – is planned out.' The same goes for Anne Richardson, who is quadriplegic. Both are Army veterans who were paralyzed in training exercises years ago. For Castle, it was an L4 spinal cord injury in Heidelberg, Germany, in 2003. Richardson broke her neck at C4, 5, 6 in a training exercise in Alaska in 1999. Now they both work with Paralyzed Veterans of America, which describes itself as 'the only nonprofit Veteran Service Organization dedicated solely to helping Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), and diseases, like MS and ALS.' 'We want to enjoy things like everybody else,' said Richardson, a national vice president for PVA. PVA helped push for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which became law on July 26, 1990. Thirty-five years later, the organization says barriers still exist. Richardson and Castle shared a glimpse of the hurdles they face in travel. Hitting the road Richardson travels upwards of 25,000 miles a year, all by land. 'I can't fly. I've attempted twice,' she said. One time, her shoulder was dislocated during a transfer. The other time her wheelchair was damaged, and as she called it, 'dead on arrival.' 'I don't take any chances anymore,' she said. 'It's too dangerous for me to try to get on a plane.' Her husband, a former trucker, does all the driving. 'The first thing that we look at is the actual route. How many days is it going to take us to get there?' she said, adding that they always build in extra travel time for unexpected hiccups. She can only handle about 8 hours or 350 to 400 miles a day in their van. 'My husband starts checking the weather way out,' she said, to plan around possible delays. He also looks for construction and other issues that could impact their drive. 'Potholes and things (like that) really affect me, the bouncing and the hard hits,' she said. Those can't always be avoided, but they've found other types of workarounds. 'We haven't found family-friendly bathrooms any place that we've stopped, so I use a urinal and he empties when we're out away from folks,' Richardson said. Even when there are wheelchair-accessible stalls, she said, 'You don't know if the door or the way the toilet in the center is in the right place, where you can maneuver your chair ... things that we run into that a lot of folks don't even think about.' Taking flight Castle's biggest challenge is air travel. He travels about two weeks each month as PVA's chief operating officer. If he can drive to a destination in less than eight hours, he does so to avoid flying, but for most trips, he flies. When booking flights, he pays close attention to connections and layovers. He prefers to have about an hour and a half between flights so he can deplane, collect his things, put his equipment back together, use the restroom, rehydrate and get to the next gate with plenty of time, in case anything goes awry. 'Since I have no access to a bathroom on a plane, I have to dehydrate myself two to three days in advance because I can't risk having an accident on the plane,' he said. He packs wipes and extra clothes, just in case. He also brings his wheelchair, a seat cushion, side guards, and his adapter power device on board. According to the Department of Transportation Airline Passengers with Disabilities Bill of Rights, "Priority in-cabin stowage (either a closet or a row of seats designated for seat strapping) must be available for at least one normal-sized collapsible manual wheelchair in any aircraft with 100 or more passenger seats." 'There is nothing worse for me than them accidentally checking my wheelchair all the way through because then I have to risk being on an aisle chair or risk being on an actual airport chair, hospital chair, which could be any million different ways damaged or not upkept to where the bars or the padding are gone or whatever the case may be, and it can be dangerous. I can get sores," he said. He knows people who were left in airport wheelchairs too long, who then developed pressure sores and had to be hospitalized. "That is literally life-threatening." Aisle chairs, those narrow wheelchairs with rigid backs that fit down airplane aisles, pose a different danger. 'When you get on a plane, they're not level to where the gate ... so literally they have to tip you back and you're in the hands of– it's almost like a trust fall,' he said. Richardson said she knows horror stories of people being dropped or having their wheelchairs broken. Airlines are subject to penalties for mishandling mobility devices. Still, Castle noted, it's not just damaged property: 'If something happens that damages your wheelchair, you're literally taking my legs away from me.' Getting around While getting to destinations presents a host of challenges, getting around them poses others. Cabs, rideshares, and public transportation are not always accessible. 'Just because you have a minivan doesn't mean I can physically get in and out of that minivan,' Castle said. 'I have my wife – my caregiver – with me at all times, and she is a lot of the time having to deadlift me in and out of taxis and hoping that something doesn't go wrong.' He prefers renting cars. 'If it goes correctly, it's the best thing because we can show up; I know I have a safe mode of transportation,' he said. He always calls ahead to the rental car company's accessibility desk to request an automatic car with adaptive driving devices, such as a spinner knob. However, he said they aren't always available when he arrives, even though he has been assured they will be. In those cases, his wife can step in. 'If I were a disabled traveler who was by themselves, what do you do?' he asked. 'They're literally just stuck.' Traveling with disabilities: What fellow travelers should know Accessible accommodations Lodging can pose other difficulties. PVA notes that hotels built after January 26, 1993, are required to offer accessible accommodations under the ADA. However, Richardson said, "No matter where you go, one hotel room is not like another hotel room, so there's no standardization," and what's accessible for some may not work for others. 'The width or the depth of a shower, it makes a whole lot of difference (in) whether or not you can get in it, or if there's a slant ... or there's a little lip and your chair won't go over it," she said. "I can't use a bathtub. Doesn't do me any good.' She wishes a few more things could be added to the ADA. 'Without any incentives to make it better, usually the minimum is what they try to do,' she said. Some hotel chains have accessibility desks to help travelers with disabilities, but hiccups still happen. Both she and Castle have had their rooms given away to others or found the rooms don't suit their needs. At least once a trip, Richardson said she and her husband have to scramble to find alternative lodging, but they keep moving forward. 'Having the spinal cord injury, being a paraplegic, will not stop me from seeing the world, from being a part of the world,' Castle said. 'I will always travel until I can't."
Malaysian Reserve
07-07-2025
- Health
- Malaysian Reserve
Paralyzed Veterans of America Releases Statement Following Department of Veterans Affairs' Announcement Not to Pursue Large-Scale Reduction-in-Force
WASHINGTON, July 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Paralyzed Veterans of America Chief Executive Officer Carl Blake releases statement following the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announcement that it will no longer pursue a large-scale reduction-in-force as part of its efforts to reduce VA staffing, while also improving the delivery of health care, benefits, and burial services to veterans. 'The VA indicated today that its workforce would see a reduction of approximately 30,000 staff from its starting level at the beginning of FY2025 to the end of this fiscal year in September. PVA's highest priority remains the timely delivery of high-quality health care and earned benefits for veterans with spinal cord injuries or diseases, like ALS and MS. Our concerns are not simply about numbers on an org chart but rather the quality of life, independence, and well-being of our nation's veterans. 'We look forward to continuing to work with VA Secretary Collins and his team on their commitment to deliver the best outcomes for all veterans and ensure the availability of resources needed to fill any gaps. As PVA shared with Secretary Collins earlier this year, there are opportunities for meaningful realignment of resources within VA, even if that means reduction in areas that do not improve upon mission delivery for VA.' About Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaParalyzed Veterans of America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or diseases. The organization ensures veterans receive the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitors their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funds research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with a life-long partner and advocate for veterans and all people with disabilities, PVA also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America serves veterans, their families, and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Learn more at Contact: Oname Thompson 703-864-5980 cellOnameT@
Yahoo
05-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Moore Receives Regional Emmy Award Nomination and 17 Telly Awards for Excellence in Production and Storytelling
Recognitions highlight Moore's commitment to storytelling, innovation, and impact in visual media. WASHINGTON, June 5, 2025 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Moore, a leading constituent experience management company, is proud to announce they have been nominated for a 2025 Regional Emmy® Award for public service announcement, "Barriers Still Exist – For Everyone," created for client Paralyzed Veterans of America. Filmed in Oklahoma, the public service announcement is a moving production that highlights the ongoing challenges individuals with disabilities face when accessing public spaces, almost 35 years after the passing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Paralyzed Veterans of America public service announcement serves as an important reminder that everyday obstacles can limit the independence of people with disabilities. Additionally, Moore received 17 Telly Awards for their work with clients. In its 46th year, The Telly Awards annually honor excellence in video and television across all screens and represent some of the most respected advertising agencies, television stations, production companies and publishers from around the world. Moore would like to congratulate the following clients on their 2025 Telly Awards: American Heart Association: "Amy Grant" and "Chris," Silver Winners Children International: "Good Finds a Way," Silver Winner Shriners Children's: "Take a Moment" and "Wheels For Love," Silver Winners National Association for the Advancement of Colored People: "The Future is You," Silver Winner American Civil Liberties Union: "This Land," Bronze Winner Make-A-Wish: "Healing Power of a Wish," Silver Winner Covenant House: "Molly with John Dickerson," Silver Winner Feeding America: "What If?," Bronze Winner Southern Poverty Law Center: "We Shall Overcome," Silver Winner Muscular Dystrophy Association: "Answering the Call," Silver Winner Smile Train: "Celebrating Smiles," Silver Winner Save the Children: "Impossible Choices," Bronze Winner Paralyzed Veterans of America: "UnstoppABLE Hand Cycling," Silver Winner and "Women First ft. Hannah Storm," Bronze Winner Military Officers Association of America: "Advocacy Campaign," Bronze Winner "I'm incredibly grateful to our clients for entrusting Moore with the opportunity to bring their remarkable work to life. It's their dedication to making a difference that inspires our team of strategists, writers, producers, editors, account managers, and more to craft campaigns that truly resonate and foster positive change," said Gretchen Littlefield, CEO of Moore. "I want to thank The Telly Awards and The Heartland Emmy Awards for the opportunity to acknowledge our clients who make the world a better place for all of us." About Moore Moore is a data-driven constituent experience management (CXM) company achieving accelerated growth for clients through integrated supporter experiences across all platforms, channels and devices. We are an innovation-led company that is the largest marketing, data and fundraising company in North America serving the purpose-driven industry with clients across education, association, political and commercial sectors. Moore combines our strength in technology and unmatched industry expertise to provide a full platform of communications, data, digital, media, production and response management solutions. Our omnichannel solutions are powered by an ongoing investment in next-generation artificial intelligence and machine learning that deepens constituent relationships and creates transformational growth. To learn more, visit Media Contact Mac McKeever, Moore, 207-841-6110, mmckeever@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Moore
CBS News
27-04-2025
- Sport
- CBS News
U.S. Bank Stadium recognized for its committee to accessibility
U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis is getting huge praise for how easy their stadium is for everyone to navigate, including people who use wheelchairs. Paralyzed Veterans of America awarded the stadium with the 2025 Barrier-Free America Award, one of its highest and most prestigious honors. It also marks the first time in its history that an NFL stadium has received the recognition. AS WCCO has reported, they have an adult changing table for people who don't use toilets. Linda Hood advocated for that change. "I want this to be contagious," Hood said. "Twins stadium, Xcel, when we go out we want to be able to enjoy ourselves like everybody else." Aside from the changing tables, the stadium has accessible elevators, ramps and water fountains. Robert Thomas, president of Paralyzed Veterans of America, said the stadium "sets the standard for how modern entertainment venues can ensure all fans and attendees feel valued and accommodated."
Associated Press
08-04-2025
- Automotive
- Associated Press
Paralyzed Veterans of America receives $1.13 million donation from Penske Automotive Group, surpassing $10 million in all-time contributions
WASHINGTON, April 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Paralyzed Veterans of America today announced it received a donation of $1.13 million from long-time partner Penske Automotive Group. The amount includes donations from customers, partners and employees of Penske Automotive Group, as well as matching contributions from the company. All the proceeds will be used to help veterans with spinal cord injuries and diseases, like MS and ALS, receive the benefits they earned, the specialized health care they need, and the meaningful careers they want. 'Paralyzed Veterans of America is grateful to our partners, like Penske Automotive Group, who are driven to make a difference in the lives of veterans living with spinal cord injuries and diseases,' said Robert Thomas, U.S. Army Veteran and National President of PVA. 'Through their generosity, PVA can provide critical resources and services, advocate for the freedoms of veterans with disabilities, and ensure the men and women who served our country have the opportunities they earned and deserve.' Since the inception of the partnership, Penske Automotive Group and its customers, partners and employees have contributed more than $10 million to PVA. This year's donation, which was part of Penske Automotive Group's Service Matters campaign, will help ensure all veterans live independent, productive lives. 'Since our partnership with PVA started in 2015, we are proud to have contributed more than $10 million and remain committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of veterans with spinal cord injuries and diseases,' said Robert H. Kurnick, Jr., President of Penske Automotive Group. 'We are grateful to our dedicated team members, partners and loyal customers whose generosity and support continue to help drive PVA's vital mission. Together, we are strengthening our impact and empowering our heroes who have sacrificed so much for our nation.' Visit or contact a Penske Automotive Group dealership to learn more about this partnership and their Service Matters campaign. To learn more about PVA and ways you can join Penske Automotive Group in supporting disabled veterans, visit About Paralyzed Veterans of America Paralyzed Veterans of America is a 501(c)(3) non-profit and the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of veterans with spinal cord injury or diseases. The organization ensures veterans receive the benefits earned through service to our nation; monitors their care in VA spinal cord injury units; and funds research and education in the search for a cure and improved care for individuals with paralysis. As a life-long partner and advocate for veterans and all people with disabilities, PVA also develops training and career services, works to ensure accessibility in public buildings and spaces, and provides health and rehabilitation opportunities through sports and recreation. With more than 70 offices and 33 chapters, Paralyzed Veterans of America serves veterans, their families, and their caregivers in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Learn more at About Penske Automotive Penske Automotive Group, Inc., (NYSE: PAG) headquartered in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, is a diversified international transportation services company and one of the world's premier automotive and commercial truck retailers. PAG operates dealerships in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Australia and is one of the largest retailers of commercial trucks in North America for Freightliner. PAG also distributes and retails commercial vehicles, diesel and gas engines, power systems, and related parts and services principally in Australia and New Zealand. PAG employs over 28,900 people worldwide. Additionally, PAG owns 28.9% of Penske Transportation Solutions ('PTS'), a business that employs over 44,500 people worldwide, manages one of the largest, most comprehensive and modern trucking fleets in North America with over 435,000 trucks, tractors, and trailers under lease, rental, and/or maintenance contracts and provides innovative transportation, supply chain, and technology solutions to its customers. PAG is a member of the S&P Mid Cap 400, Fortune 500, Russell 1000, and Russell 3000 indexes. For additional information, visit the Company's website at
