PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA MOUNTAIN STATES CHAPTER

ADVOCACY, LIAISON, SERVICES: MSCPVA SUPPORTS THE POLICY PRIORITIES ESTABLISHED BY NATIONAL PVA THAT AIM TO IMPROVE HEALTH CARE, ACCESS AND RESOURCES FOR VETERANS WITH SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND DISEASES. THIS YEAR, MSCPVA MEMBERS WORKED WITH STATE AND LOCAL LEGISLATORS ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN STATES REGION TO ADVANCE INCLUSIVE POLICIES THAT ADDRESS THE NEEDS OF VETERANS WE SERVE. IN COLORADO, OUR PARTNERSHIP WITH UNITED VETERANS COALITION OF COLORADO (WHICH BRINGS TOGETHER VETERAN-FOCUSED ORGANIZATIONS) REMAINED STRONG, WITH TWO MSCPVA MEMBERS SERVING ON ITS BOARD TO HELP COORDINATE AND EXPAND VETERAN INITIATIVES. ADDITIONALLY, THREE MSCPVA MEMBERS PARTICIPATED IN PVA'S ANNUAL ADVOCACY WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C., WHERE THEY MET WITH MEMBERS OF CONGRESS AND SENATORS FROM THE MOUNTAIN STATES REGION TO ADVOCATE FOR POLICIES THAT PROTECT VA'S SPINAL CORD INJURIES AND DISORDERS SYSTEM OF CARE AND IMPROVE ADAPTIVE HOUSING AND CAREGIVER SUPPORT. THESE ADVOCACY INITIATIVES REFLECT MSCPVA'S ONGOING COMMITMENT TO IMPROVING THE LIVES OF VETERANS, THEIR FAMILIES AND THE BROADER DISABILITY COMMUNITY ACROSS THE MOUNTAIN STATES REGION. CALLOUT BOX: DURING PVA'S ANNUAL ADVOCACY WEEK IN WASHINGTON, D.C., MSCPVA MEMBERS MET WITH 21 LAWMAKERS FROM THE MOUNTAIN STATES REGION.

SPORTS AND RECREATION: MSCPVA BELIEVES THAT PHYSICAL AND EMOTIONAL WELL-BEING GO HAND IN HAND. THIS YEAR, WE STRENGTHENED CONNECTIONS BETWEEN VETERANS AND HEALTH PROFESSIONALS THROUGH PARTNERSHIPS WITH VA RECREATION THERAPISTS AND ADAPTIVE SPORTS PROGRAMS ACROSS OUR REGION. OUR ADAPTIVE SPORTS AND RECREATION INITIATIVES HELP VETERANS BUILD STRENGTH AND CONFIDENCE. IN TURN, THESE EXPERIENCES PROMOTE HEALING AS VETERANS REDISCOVER PURPOSE AND CONNECT WITH OTHERS WHO UNDERSTAND WHAT IT'S LIKE TO LIVE WITH A DISABILITY. THIS YEAR, MSCPVA SUPPORTED MORE THAN 30 MEMBERS WHO COMPETED IN NATIONAL EVENTS, INCLUDING THE NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES, THE GOLDEN AGE GAMES AND THE NATIONAL DISABLED VETERANS WINTER SPORTS CLINIC. CHAPTER FUNDING MADE IT POSSIBLE FOR MANY MEMBERS TO PARTICIPATE WHO OTHERWISE COULD NOT HAVE ATTENDED. PARTICIPANTS REPORTED IMPROVED MOOD, GREATER CONFIDENCE AND STRONGER SOCIAL CONNECTIONS-KEY INDICATORS OF LONG-TERM WELL-BEING. LOCALLY, MSCPVA HOSTED ADAPTIVE CLINICS IN PARACYCLING, PICKLEBALL, BOWLING, ARCHERY, SHOOTING, BOCCIA AND FISHING, OFFERING MEMBERS NEW WAYS TO STAY ACTIVE AND ENGAGED. MEMBERS ALSO PARTICIPATED IN MOVE UNITED'S ANNUAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE, STRENGTHENING PARTNERSHIPS WITH ORGANIZATIONS ACROSS THE REGION THAT SUPPORT PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES. THIS YEAR'S THEME WAS "CATALYZING CHANGE THROUGH SPORT." IN THE YEAR AHEAD, MSCPVA WILL CONTINUE EXPANDING ACCESS TO THESE OPPORTUNITIES, WITH SPECIAL FOCUS ON REACHING RURAL VETERANS AND FIRST-TIME PARTICIPANTS. CALLOUT BOX: DURING THE NATIONAL VETERANS WHEELCHAIR GAMES IN MINNEAPOLIS, ATHLETES FROM THE MOUNTAIN STATES WON 60 MEDALS.