A Message on COVID-19 From the National President

To Our PVA Family,

I am writing this message to let you know that you are not alone in this crisis, and that the PVA National organization cares about you. We have been working non-stop, focusing on the health and well-being of our members, caregivers, staff, community and all veterans.  We are:

1. Staying in constant contact with VA and government leaders,
2. Ensuring VA has a reliable plan for our members for all eventualities,
3. Informing Chapters and members with information as soon as it comes our way and following up with the VA when information should come our way and has not,
4. Having chapters inform us when information comes to them locally,
5. Senior Vice VP Charles Brown and National VPs remaining in constant contact with Chapters, and
6. Creating contingency plans for upcoming events.

Please visit PVA’s COVID-19 Resources page on our website to learn more about how to connect with PVA during these unprecedented times:https://pva.org/covid-19/. On this page, you will find a video message from PVA Executive Director Carl Blake and updated information about connecting with PVA service officers and accessing the SCI/D System of Care under these unique circumstances. As we receive updated information, we will continue to post it onhttps://pva.org/covid-19/. So, check back often for updates.

For our members, their families and caregivers, our National Service Officers working at VA Spinal Cord Injury Centers, VA Medical Centers, and VA Regional Offices are working remotely and can be reached by calling your local National Service Office. Throughout this time, PVA Service Officers are closely monitoring their phone and email messages. To find their contact information visit: https://pva.org/find-support/national-service-office/.

If you are experiencing difficulty gaining access to your SCI/D team or need acute admission and are denied, please contact one of our service officers near you immediately. However, if you have symptoms, or think you may have come in contact with the corona virus, contact your provider BEFORE visiting your local VA medical center or doctor’s office. You will also find select Frequently Asked Questions at https://pva.org/covid-19/ regarding actions/steps that you can and should take if you are currently sick or become sick.

We know that many of you also have questions about upcoming events, such as the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. As soon as we have information to report on the status of these and other events, we will let you know.

To Chapters and leadership, I ask that you share this information as widely as possible with your membership. We want to get this information distributed as widely and as quickly as possible.

We are living in extremely fluid times so please stay informed and know, PVA is working diligently in these difficult times to serve and care for our members, staff and families. Visit https://pva.org for up-to-the-minute information.

I cannot stress enough that communication between all of us is important. It’s our support for one another that is going to get us all through these unprecedented times.

As the British said during WWII and past crises “Keep calm and carry on.”

We will get through this together!

David Zurfluh
National President
Paralyzed Veterans of America
DavidZ@pva.org