para-graph - Mid-South Paralyzed Veterans PVA

Non-Profit Org.
U.S. Postage
PAID
Memphis, TN
Permit No. 628
Mid-South Chapter
Paralyzed Veterans of America
Memphis VAMC
1030 Jefferson Ave.
Room 2D100
Memphis, TN 38104
ADDRESS CORRECTION REQUESTED
PARA-GRAPH
Vol. 23 No. 7
August - September 2013
Editor: Sharon Mount
33rd National Veterans
Wheelchair Games
Tampa, FL
1-800-767-3018  901-527-3018  Fax: 901-528-1972  E-mail: [email protected]
United Access is proud to support PVA!
-New & Used Wheelchair Accessible Van Sales
-Lifts, Mobility Seating, and Driving Controls
-24 Hour Service, Rentals, and much more!
United Access MidSouth
2165 Hillshire Circle
Memphis, TN 38133
Toll free (888)939-1010 or (901)888-1010
[email protected]
www.UnitedAccess.com
Mid-South Team Members: William Bass, Lawrence Green, Sylvester Lewis,
Bruce Sanders, Jerry Davis, Mr. Rogers, Jonnie Dantzler, and Terrence Williams.
Mid-South
Paralyzed Veterans of America
1030 Jefferson Ave. Rm. 2D100
Memphis, TN 38104
Tel: (901) 527-3018, 1-800-767-3018
Fax: (901) 528-1972
E-Mail: [email protected]
Cheri Arnold
Terrence
Green
........................................................
................................................... President
Truman Bass
William
Suttle...............................................
............................................. Vice President
Terry Loggins
Truman
Suttle…………………..……………………….
......................................................Treasurer
Treasurer
Susan McIntosh
Cindy
Wiley .........................................................
.................................................. Secretary
Harold Holbrook…………………………………Board Member
Vacant………….....…………………………………Board
Matthew Powell ............................... ……...Board Member
Mike Smith
Truman
Suttle
...........................................
...................................... ..National Director
Johnny Jones………..……………..Sports
William
Bass.....Advocacy/Legislative Program Manager
Vacant………..……
Anthony
Gilliam…...……………..Sports
………....Events/PRProgram
ProgramManager
Manager
LeRoy
Leo
Lawson…....…….……....Events/PR
Cage ………………. Membership Program
Program Manager
Manager
David Specking………………………………....Hospital
Ertemus
Bell………..……. Membership Program Manager
Liaison
Sharon
Terry
Phillips..……....Hospital
Mount .............................
Liaison
Gov. Relations
Program Manager
Director
JoAnn Holt………………………...……………..Office
Sharon
Mount ............................. ……..ExecutiveSecretary
Director
Memphis PVA Service Office:
Memphis
PVA Service
Office:
Barbara Redwine
........................
National Service Officer
Cliff
Dupree
.................................
National
Service
Officer
Lorna Jefferson .......................................
.Office
Secretary
Delphine Newsum
..................................
.Office
Secretary
(901) 523-8990 x7795 ...Office
(901)
523-8990 x7795
...Office
1-800-795-3568
.............
Office
1-800-795-3568 .............Office
Nashville PVA Service Office:
Nashville
PVA Service Office:
Nichelle Edwards…….National
Service Officer Candidate
Nichelle
Edwards…….National
Service Officer
Cassandra Shelhorse ..............................
.OfficeCandidate
Secretary
Cassandra Shelhorse
..............................
.Office Secretary
(615) 695-6383 ...............Office
(615)
695-6383 ...............
1-800-795-3569
.............Office
Office
1-800-795-3569 .............Office
Alabama PVA Service Office:
Alabama
PVA...........................
Service Office:
Anthony Steele
.National Service Officer
Anthony
Steele
...........................
.National.Office
Service
Officer
Eunice Micciche ......................................
Secretary
Lakisha Anderson
...................................
.Office
Secretary
(334) 213-3433/34/35 ..Office
(334) 213-3433/34/35
..Office
1-800-795-3581
..............
Office
1-800-795-3581 ..............Office
Robert Crowley……..Mid-South Chapter Representative
Robert Crowley……..Mid-South
Chapter Representative
(205) 447-0025
(205) 205-568-0202
Mississippi PVA Service Office:
Mississippi
PVA Service Office:
Timothy Hicks.............................
National Service Officer
Timothy
Hicks.............................
National
Service
Officer
Dorothy Gray ..........................................
.Office
Secretary
Dorothy Gray(601)
..........................................
.Office
Secretary
364-7188 ...............Office
(601)
364-7188 ...............Office
1-800-795-3610..............
Office
1-800-795-3610..............Office
Arkansas PVA Service Office:
Arkansas
Service Office:
Clyde Reed PVA
..................................
National Service Officer
Clyde
Reed
..................................
National
Service
Officer
Billie Caldarera .......................................
.Office
Secretary
Billie Caldarera
.......................................
.Office
Secretary
(501) 370-3757 ...............Office
(501)
370-3757 ...............
1-800-795-9236
.............Office
Office
1-800-795-9236 .............Office
WELCOME
NEW MEMBERS
Kevin Hopkins
Angel Toro
Tommy L. Dean
David Anderson
James A. Baker
We extend our deepest
sympathy to the family and friends
of our chapter members passing.
Michael W. Clark
Donald J. Eastmead
Fredrick McDaniel
Edward C. Hammond
James D. Hagen
Rodney D. Bolin
THE PARA-GRAPH Published Bi-Monthly by Mid-South Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America 1030 Jefferson
Ave., Rm. 2D100 Memphis, TN 38104, 1-800-767-3018, 901-527-3018, Fax: 901-528-1972, web site:
www.midsouth-pva.org, and E-Mail: [email protected] All material published is for your information and does not
2 necessarily indicate an endorsement or reflect the views or opinions of the Mid-South Chapter.
11
October 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
A WORD FROM THE PRESIDENT
Thu
Fri
Sat
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2
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5
10
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12
17
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19
24
25
26
6
7
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9
13
14
15
16
BOD
Meeting
10:30am
20
21
22
23
Membership
Meeting
10:30am
27
28
29
30
31
Halloween
Costume Party
11 - 1
November 2013
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
Sat
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
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BOD
Meeting
10:30am
24
25
26
27
30
Thanksgiving
PVA Office
Closed
10
Summer is in
full swing! I hope
you are all spending
some quality time
with family and
friends enjoying all
that the summer
season offers. Just remember to
stay hydrated and pay attention to
how much time you spend in the
heat. It doesn’t take long to overheat. Pace yourself, and get the
most enjoyment from your outings.
I want to welcome our new
Vice President, Mr. William Bass.
Thank you for answering the call
to serve. I am looking forward to
working side by side with you and
I am certain we will accomplish
great things together!
I would also like to thank all of
the members of the Board of Directors, Ms. Cindy McIntosh, Mr.
Matthew Powell and Mr. Truman
Suttle, for sticking together to
make sure that the transition has
been smooth for the benefit of all
of our members. Your integrity
and dedication to duty means so
much. I know how many hours of
work are required to stay informed
and take care of the business at
hand.
Mid-South members, don’t forget to enjoy your Chapter sponsored entertainment/outing of up to
$75.00 per year. This could be
dinner, a movie, bowling, sporting
event or something else that gets
you out of the house! If you have
not yet submitted your receipts for
this fiscal year, (October 1, 2012
through September 30, 2013),
please send your receipts to the
Chapter office for reimbursement.
It is one of the benefits of membership!
This year’s Family and Friends
Cookout was a truly special event.
The weather kept us guessing as
we woke up and looked outside
that morning, but it turned out to
be a splendid day for fellowship
and a fine picnic with hamburgers,
hotdogs and all the fixings. I
would like to extend a big “Thank
you” to Mr. Leo Lawson and Ms.
Sharon Mount for all their efforts
and teamwork to ensure such a
great day. I also want to say
“Thank you” to Mr. Seth Mount
for volunteering as grill master for
the day!
We had a good turn-out
despite the dark clouds. There was
a DJ providing a great mix of
tunes to help set a fun and festive
mood while we all had a chance to
laugh, visit and get to know each
other a little better. The Memphis
Botanical Gardens is such a beautiful and welcoming place for us to
meet. If you didn’t get a chance to
come this year, plan to come next
year!!
Some of the changes at the
National PVA level that occurred
at the Mid-Winter Board have
sparked some changes at our
Chapter level as well. National
PVA voted to change their fiscal
year from 1 October through 30
September to 1 July through 30
June. There were also a set of
model By-laws sent to each Chapter across the nation, and each
Chapter must amend their existing
By-laws to reflect the changes and
suggestions from National PVA.
As a result, we have
changed our fiscal year to correspond with National, and are
working on updating the By-laws
as required. Currently, our proposed amendments to our By-laws
have been submitted to Mr. Ken
Weas, National Vice President Liaison, for review and approval.
BY CHERI ARNOLD
The impact this change has
on our Chapter is that, instead of
this fiscal year ending on 30 September 2013, it has been extended
through 30 June 2014. This also
extends the term of office for the
current Program Managers and
Board Members. The next Chapter election process will begin in
January 2014 with the first announcement of the upcoming election to be held in June 2014.
These changes were announced at the 20 June Membership meeting. I just want to make
sure that the entire membership is
kept up-to-date on important
changes.
The June Membership
meeting was encouraging! Each
member that attended had ideas
and comments that will be implemented over the next several
months. I am so glad to hear your
thoughts and concerns.
I am excited about our future and want to thank all of you
that are stepping up with ideas and
volunteering to do your part! That
is exactly what it takes from each
one of us to have the best Chapter
possible. If you have a suggestion,
please contact the Chapter office
or come to a membership meeting
to share your great ideas.
I am looking forward to
National Convention in Long
Beach, California 12-18 August
2013. I am learning so much
about all the important missions
and programs of our organization.
I can’t wait to meet and speak to
other Chapter Presidents and the
National Executive Committee and
bring what I learn back here to the
Mid-South Chapter.
God Bless America!
3
Congratulations to Gen Glover for 40 years
of service to veterans at the Memphis VAMC
SCI Unit.
Cheri Arnold, President, presented Ms. Glover with a
Certificate of Appreciation for her dedication and love that
she has given over the years to veterans with spinal cord
injury/disease. Our members have been very fortunate to
have Ms. Glover work with them over the many years.
NEWS FROM THE MEMPHIS VAMC
Memphis VA Medical Center Director Announced
MEMPHIS, TN – The Department of Veterans Affairs is pleased to announce the appointment of C. Diane
Knight, MD, CMD as Director of the Memphis VA Medical Center (VAMC). Recently, Dr. Knight served as
Interim Medical Center Director at this facility from September 2, 2012 to April 28, 2013. Dr. Knight will begin her new appointment on Monday, July 29, 2013.
In November 2009, Dr. Knight joined VISN 9 as Deputy Chief Medical Officer. During that time she provided oversight of ambulatory practice operations at Network facilities as an Ambulatory Practice Manager.
In this role, she served as Patient Aligned Care Team (PACT) Champion for VISN 9 and she coordinated
PACT activities for VISN 9 medical centers. In addition, she was responsible for the implementation and
achievement of a “medical home” for each Veteran served in an outpatient setting.
Dr. Knight has a long history of providing dedicated service and leadership within the VA. Her VA career
started at the Biloxi VAMC in 1995 as a primary care physician in the Geriatric clinic and on the Nursing
Home and Intermediate Care wards. Other positions include Chief of Geriatrics and Extended Care in the Gulf
Coast Healthcare System, Biloxi, MS and Medical Director at the Armed Forces Retirement Home in Gulfport, MS.
The Memphis VAMC consists of one main campus, which includes a 60-bed Spinal Cord Injury Unit, nine
community based outpatient clinics (CBOC) and a newly renovated Women Veterans Healthcare Center. The
Memphis VAMC is a tertiary care facility classified as a Clinical Referral Level I Facility and one of the most
complex medical centers in the VA system. This facility is a teaching hospital, providing a full range of patient care services, with state-of-the-art technology, as well as extensive education and research programs.
The VAMC in Memphis is part of the Mid-South Healthcare Network, VISN 9, which includes facilities in
Lexington and Louisville, KY; Nashville and Mountain Home, TN and Huntington, WV.
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) recently announced the appointment of Mr. John Patrick, MBA, to
the role of Network Director, Mid-South Healthcare Network (VISN 9). VISN 9 is comprised of VA Medical
Centers located in Mountain Home, Nashville/Murfreesboro and Memphis, Tennessee; Louisville and Lexington, Kentucky, and Huntington West Virginia, along with 40 community-based outpatient clinics.
4
ALABAMA LIAISON REPORT
BY ROBERT CROWLEY
At the Birmingham VAMC quarterly Stakeholders Meeting our new Director Tom Smith III
spoke to the members outlining his vision for the hospital and the filling of several key positions around the hospital. Other information given out by Director Smith was:
The BVAMC has exceeded the National SHEP Scores in all areas: the National average is
around 60 while our average is around 80 with cleanliness leading the scores at 98.
The VISN has been awarded two million dollars for use by veterans that seek medical care from private providers. The BVAMC will receive an increase in our budget in 2014.
The City of Birmingham has agreed to build bathrooms in the parking deck on 4th Avenue and 22nd St North
replacing the portable toilets in use there now.
The negotiations on the new BVAMC Clinic Annex should be finalized by the end of the fiscal year and opening sometime in 2015 providing 50,000 square feet of space and a parking garage with 2300 parking spaces.
The location should be within five miles of the University Blvd and 19th St hospital.
In the Huntsville area the new clinic there will be opening soon with 50,000 square feet of space for use.
Director Smith ended the meeting by fielding questions from the members in attendance.
Alabama PVA Mid-South Veterans Please Read
Alabama PVA Mid-South veterans the Chapter is going to have our annual Membership Meeting at O' Charley’s Restaurant on Saturday September 21, 2013 at 1:00 pm. It is located on I-65 North exit 267 I look forward to seeing you there. Please call me (205) 568-0202 if you plan to attend as funding is limited and I need
a correct head count. Leave me a voice mail if I do not answer otherwise I will have no record of your calling.
There is power in numbers and the more people we can get to come to the events we plan the more support we
will get from the chapter. Our new President Cheri Arnold told me she plans to attend if it does not conflict
with her schedule.
For your information veterans be advised the Affordable Care Act starts taking effect in October and from
what I have read and have been told it should not affect you. However with over seventeen hundred pages of
new rules and regulations no one really knows for sure what is in this bill.
If you are having issues
This legislation will change the coverage previously provided by Medicare
getting an appointment or and Medicaid and other forms of insurance. For your families protection
being denied admission to and yours as well check out what these changes mean to you.
the Memphis SCI center and
not being referred to another
SCI center, please notify
Cliff Dupree, National
Service Officer,
at 1-800-795-3568.
If you are having problems
getting an appointment at the
Little Rock SCI clinic please
notify Clyde Reed, National
Service Officer, in Little
Rock at 1-800-795-9236.
Mark your calendar!
October 25 - 27
9-Ball Tournament
at Clicks in Memphis
Please call the office to register!
1-800-767-3018
9
ADVOCACY/LEGISLATION REPORT
BY WILLIAM BASS
I want to take a minute talk about operation PAVE (paving access for veterans employment)
who has assistance and support to our veterans and their families. PAVE it also provides assistance to employees and retired veterans. Through partnership with government and business
leaders, the PAVE program is funded entirely through private donations and provided free of
charge to veterans and employers.
Sherman Gillums Jr. Now leads the program to help newly injured veterans get back to life.
Certified Rehabilitation Counselors coordinate their clients vocational needs with their medical care and VA
benefits through Paralyzed Veterans of America's network of service officers. PAVE counselors connect with
veterans to volunteer positions, internship and postsecondary education and training opportunities.
PAVE Counselors connect with patients at their bedside before they even think about achieving independence
after suffering a profound injury. After determining their capabilities and interest, PAVE counselors develop
job leads and prepare veterans for interacting with prospective employers. They also work with employers to
find the best opportunities for the veterans. PAVE counselors work to ensure veterans and their families, not
only find employment, but to maintain it.
For Sale: 3br, 2 bath (one a roll in
shower), attached 2 car garage, brick
house,. built to VA Specs for a wheelchair bound pt., huge family rm., no
ramps or steps getting in or out of the
house. It was built in 1981 for my father who has passed. The address is
115 Happy Valley Rd., Johnson City Tn.
37601. The price is 147,500. To contact me for more information or arrange a showing. My phone #843-7292844, Harry Fisher.
Join us on September 26, 2013 for the
Annual Staff Appreciation Cookout
at the Memphis VAMC
on the SCI Patio
from
11am - 1pm
8
PUBLIC RELATIONS REPORT
BY LEO LAWSON
Greetings Mid-South members, I hope that everyone is in good health and spirits. This is turning out to be a pretty mild summer here in the Mid-South, but please remember to keep hydrated. Drink plenty of water and go easy on the caffeinated drinks.
There are a couple of events that are coming up in the next few months. We have our Annual
Staff Appreciation Cookout scheduled on September 26 from 11-1 at the Memphis VAMC on
the Spinal Cord Patio. It will be catered by Interstate BBQ; they will be serving their famously
delicious ribs and pulled pork. So, please come out and show your appreciation for the SCI staff that work
really hard to make your experience while in the hospital the best it can be.
Start now planning your Halloween Costume! We are having a Halloween Party on at the Memphis VAMC on
the SCI Patio, Thursday, October 31from 11-1. We will have hot dogs, chips, and soda. We are going to be
giving prizes for the best Halloween costumes and playing lots of scary games! So be creative and reveal the
scary side!
Do you like basketball? Do you live in Memphis or are you going to be in Memphis during basketball season?
This year we are going to have basketball tickets available, on a first come first served basis, for the Memphis
Grizzlies home games. The deadline to sign up on the list for tickets is October 1.
We are looking for volunteers to help with chapter events. Your time and service to help fellow veterans is
greatly appreciated. Please feel free to come into the chapter office to sign up or call the chapter office at 1800-767-3018. The thought for the day “Never give up never surrender”.
Arkansas Spinal Cord Foundation 2013 Trap Shoot
The Arkansas Spinal Cord Foundation is pleased to announce the 2013 Annual Fundraiser. The
Statewide Youth & Adult Fun Shoot Competition will be held at the Blue Rock Gun Club in
North Little Rock, AR on October 12, 2013.
If you are interested in competing in
the event please visit http://
www.spinalcord.ar.gov/
Resources/2013TrapShootFlyer.pdf.
If you are interested in becoming a
sponsor or would like to donate to the
Arkansas Spinal Cord Foundation
Scholarship Fund program, contact us
at 501-683-1120 or send an email to
[email protected].
5
NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES
A WORD FROM YOUR CHAPLIN
John Sidney Raehn ( pronounced “Ran”)
I just finished up a group lead by Dr. Ann Ayers, and colleagues here at the Memphis VA hospital in Mental
Health called ACT. From it I took a poem that I would
like to share. It’s called the Guest House. It had a profound affect on me. I hope it will touch you also.
The Guest House
Mid-South Team cruising around the bay.
Jerry Davis sizing up the
competition for weight lifting.
Terrence Williams navigating the
Slalom course.
This being human is a guest house.
Every morning a new arrival.
A joy, a depression, a meanness,
some momentary awareness comes
as an unexpected visitor.
Welcome and entertain them all!
Even if they’re a crowd of sorrows,
who violently sweep your house
empty of its furniture.
Heavy Medalist Lawrence
Green.
Still, treat each guest honorably.
He may be clearing you out
for some new delight.
William Bass taking aim at the Gold!
First time participant Johnnie
Dantzler showing off
his medals.
The dark thought, the shame, the malice,
meet them at your door laughing,
and invite them in.
Be grateful for whoever comes,
because each has been sent
as a guide from beyond.
This was written by a guy name Jelaluddin Rumi
Anyone seen my luggage?
Does it apply today?
Here’s the rest of the story, he wrote it in 1272
My family just got T-Shirts but
I brought home the Gold!
6
Blessings to you all
Sylvester Lewis showing the competition
how it’s done.
CHAPTER MEETING DATES
SEPTEMBER
12 - Program
Managers
Meeting
10:30 A.M.
19 - BOD
Meeting
10:30 A.M.
26Staff
Appreciation
Cookout &
Membership
Meeting
1:30 P.M.
OCTOBER
16 - BOD
Meeting
10:30 A.M.
23 - Membership
Meeting
10:30 A.M.
31 - Halloween Party
11- 1
NOVEMBER
14 - Program
Managers
Meeting
10:30 A.M.
20 - BOD
Meeting
10:30 A.M.
Thanksgiving Holiday
No Membership
Meeting
John Sidney+
7