SCI/D

New Bill Facilitates Veteran Access to Powered Exoskeletons

Retrieved on: 
Friday, November 10, 2023

MARLBOROUGH, Mass.

Key Points: 
  • MARLBOROUGH, Mass.
  • and BERLIN and YOKNEAM ILIT, Israel, Nov. 10, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- ReWalk Robotics Ltd. (Nasdaq: RWLK) (“ReWalk” or the “Company”), a leading provider of innovative technologies that enable mobility and wellness in rehabilitation and daily life for individuals with neurological conditions, applauded new legislation that will be introduced in the U. S. House of Representatives that will enhance the opportunity for clinically-eligible U.S. Veterans to gain access to powered exoskeletons, and ensure the U.S Department of Veterans’ Affairs (“VA”) is delivering the technology in both a routine and timely manner.
  • The new bi-partisan bill, titled the Veterans Spinal Trauma Access to New Devices (STAND) Act, will be introduced by Representative Jack Bergman (MI-01) and co-led by the Chairman of the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Mike Bost (IL-12), Ranking Member of the Health Subcommittee, Julia Brownley (CA-26), and Congresswoman Debbie Dingell (MI-6) in recognition of Veterans’ Day.
  • “General Bergman’s leadership on this issue has been instrumental in promoting transparency and reliability at the VA for those Veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D) whose overall health can be profoundly improved by regaining the ability to walk with exoskeleton technology,” said Larry Jasinski, CEO of ReWalk Robotics.

PVA hosts thought leaders in spinal cord injury research, science, and tech at 2023 Healthcare Summit + Expo

Retrieved on: 
Monday, August 14, 2023

"PVA's Healthcare Summit and Expo brings together the brightest in the field of SCI/D, and every year we learn more and continue to grow our community," said Robert Thomas, National President of PVA.

Key Points: 
  • "PVA's Healthcare Summit and Expo brings together the brightest in the field of SCI/D, and every year we learn more and continue to grow our community," said Robert Thomas, National President of PVA.
  • "This conference highlights the strides made in research and care but also provides a roadmap to where we need to focus our resources for the next challenge.
  • We are thankful for our sponsors, who continue to share the same goal: advancing education of M.S.
  • Now in its eleventh year, PVA's Healthcare Summit and Expo is there to help these Veterans and all those living with paralysis.

BetterCaths Coalition Assists Rep. Josh Turek in Designing Better Caths for Iowa Act to Remove Harmful Phthalate Chemical DEHP From Urological Catheters

Retrieved on: 
Sunday, February 26, 2023

The Better Caths for Iowa Act is the first piece of legislation in the country that aims to lower the bladder cancer mortality rate for people whose lives depend on using urological catheters.

Key Points: 
  • The Better Caths for Iowa Act is the first piece of legislation in the country that aims to lower the bladder cancer mortality rate for people whose lives depend on using urological catheters.
  • It also protects Iowa Medicaid patients from daily exposure to the toxic chemical (DEHP) in some commonly-used urinary catheters.
  • The BetterCaths for Iowa Act places an immediate ban on Iowa Medicaid reimbursement of catheters that have known carcinogen warning labels.
  • It also requires Iowa Medicaid to review the historical bladder cancer rate and correlating brands of catheters used by their patients.

Leading veterans service organizations release annual report ahead of White House budget release and call on Congress and Department of Veterans Affairs to act

Retrieved on: 
Monday, February 13, 2023

WASHINGTON, Feb. 13, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Leading veterans service organizations DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), and the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) today released The Independent Budget Veterans' Agenda for the 118th Congress: Budget for FY 2024-2025 and Critical Issues. The IB report provides funding estimates VA will require in order to adequately provide health care, benefits, and transition services to more than ten million veterans, their families and survivors. It also lists military-to-civilian transition, VA infrastructure, implementation of the PACT Act, long-term care, and mental health, among the many critical issues facing today's veterans.

Key Points: 
  • It also lists military-to-civilian transition, VA infrastructure, implementation of the PACT Act, long-term care, and mental health, among the many critical issues facing today's veterans.
  • "DAV has partnered with PVA and VFW to produce The Independent Budget for nearly 40 years," said Joy Ilem, DAV National Legislative Director.
  • "As an organization of veterans serving veterans, we know their issues, and we make it our mission to fight for them.
  • **FACT – One of the higher cohorts of veterans who die by suicide are veterans who have recently separated from service.

Paralyzed Veterans of America releases statement on selection of Mike Bost as new Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, January 10, 2023

WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Carl Blake today released the following statement on today's announcement of Mike Bost (R-Ill.) as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 118th Congress.

Key Points: 
  • WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Paralyzed Veterans of America Executive Director Carl Blake today released the following statement on today's announcement of Mike Bost (R-Ill.) as Chairman of the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs for the 118th Congress.
  • "We look forward to working with Chairman Bost and ensuring the needs of today's catastrophically disabled Veterans are properly and expeditiously addressed.
  • Needs like those addressed in PVA's 2023 Policy Priorities , which include: protecting access to VA's spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) system of care through sufficient staffing and infrastructure; expanding access to VA long-term services and supports (like Home and Community-Based Services and Caregiver Supports); improving VA specialized benefits and health care services for paralyzed Veterans and their survivors, like home modification grants and improved survivors benefits; and much more.
  • Only by working with Chairman Bost and all members of Congress, can we best support our Veterans, their families, and caregivers."

United Spinal to Host Member Awards Gala Honoring Leaders from the Disability Community

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, October 27, 2022

NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association will host the #StrongWheeled Together Celebration on November 10 at 6:30 pm EST, a virtual member awards gala to celebrate a new generation of leaders from the disability community that are erasing the stigmatization of wheelchair users, advocating for inclusion, and advancing their abilities to reach new levels of success.

Key Points: 
  • NEW YORK, Oct. 27, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- United Spinal Association will host the #StrongWheeled Together Celebration on November 10 at 6:30 pm EST, a virtual member awards gala to celebrate a new generation of leaders from the disability community that are erasing the stigmatization of wheelchair users, advocating for inclusion, and advancing their abilities to reach new levels of success.
  • The event is the culmination of the organization's 2022 #StrongWheeled Together campaign , that highlights the power of community building and the impact of people with disabilities throughout society.
  • Congressman Jim Langevin will provide congratulatory remarks and United Spinal will present its Lifetime Achievement Award to accomplished disability advocate Judy Heumann.
  • Formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans, United Spinal is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to empowering people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including veterans, to live successful and fulfilling lives.

Allsup Employment Services Joins United Spinal Association In Oct. 18 National Disability Employment Awareness Month Event

Retrieved on: 
Friday, October 7, 2022

Belleville, Illinois, Oct. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allsup Employment Services , which provides return to work services through the Social Security Administrations (SSA) Ticket to Work program, will join with United Spinal Association to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October 2022.

Key Points: 
  • Belleville, Illinois, Oct. 07, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Allsup Employment Services , which provides return to work services through the Social Security Administrations (SSA) Ticket to Work program, will join with United Spinal Association to support National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) in October 2022.
  • ET featuring Diane Winiarski, director of Allsup Employment Services, and three additional panelists:
    Joshua Basile: United Spinal Association board secretary and trial attorney.
  • Jos Hernandez: Community organizer for the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Association of New York State (CDPAANYS) and president of United Spinals New York City chapter.
  • Allsup Employment Services understands how beneficial it is for people with disabilities to return to work if they are medically able to do so.

United Spinal Strengthens Access to Employment Resources for People with Spinal Cord injuries and Disorders

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 28, 2022

The goal of the Pathways to Employment is to address this disparity by providingpeople with SCI/D access to a job portal, resources on benefits and transitioning to employment,how-to guides covering a variety of disability employment topics, and mentors who have successfully returned to work after spinal cord injury or diagnosis.

Key Points: 
  • The goal of the Pathways to Employment is to address this disparity by providingpeople with SCI/D access to a job portal, resources on benefits and transitioning to employment,how-to guides covering a variety of disability employment topics, and mentors who have successfully returned to work after spinal cord injury or diagnosis.
  • The program also supports employers in establishing an inclusive work environment by offering guidance onrecruitment, onboarding, and accommodations, and distributing job opportunities through United Spinal's national chapter network.
  • Formed in 1946 by paralyzed veterans, United Spinal is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to empowering people with spinal cord injuries and disorders (SCI/D), including veterans, to live successful and fulfilling lives.
  • Membership is free and open to all individuals with SCI/D, with over 60,000 members across 49 chapters, close to 200 support groups and more than 100 rehabilitation facilities and hospital partners nationwide.

WORLD RECORD HOLDER, IAN MACKAY, SETS OUT ON 475-MILE SOLO TREK VIA WHEELCHAIR FROM D.C. TO OHIO ON GREAT AMERICAN RAIL-TRAIL®

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, September 21, 2022

WASHINGTON, Sept. 21, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Ian's Ride, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) and United Spinal Association (USA) gathered with members and supporters today on the National Mall to celebrate the launch of Ian Mackay's journey on the Great American Rail-Trail® from Washington, D.C., to Columbus, Ohio. Mackay, founder of Ian's Ride and an accessibility advocate, will travel 475-miles by power wheelchair on the easternmost portion of the Great American to raise awareness of the importance of and the need for more access to the outdoors for people with mobility impairments and other disabilities.

Key Points: 
  • "My philosophy is: community is the answer, we are stronger together and nature is the best medicine."
  • "We are thrilled to cheer on Ian as he sets off along the Great American Rail-Trail," said Kevin Belanger, RTC's project manager for the Great American Rail-Trail.
  • Mackay's ride on the Great American Rail-Trail comes as several priorities are being pursued in Congress.
  • Mackay recently broke a Guinness World Record for the farthest distancemore than 184 milesin 24 hours on a mouth-controlled power wheelchair.

United Spinal Association Announces Finalists for the #StrongWheeled Together Awards

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, September 6, 2022

The Awards are part of United Spinal's 2022 #StrongWheeled Together campaign that showcases the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion in helping people with disabilities discover greater independence.

Key Points: 
  • The Awards are part of United Spinal's 2022 #StrongWheeled Together campaign that showcases the benefits of diversity, equity, and inclusion in helping people with disabilities discover greater independence.
  • "One of the biggest issues that our community faces is the stigma surrounding disability and ableist expectations.
  • Finalists have crafted videos about their personal beliefs and achievements that have been published on United Spinal's YouTube channel .
  • Finalists who receive the most likes on YouTube in their category win that category.