Executive Director
The fiscal year has ended for our chapter, and our financial position remains stable. Our net assets have changed very little since last year’s assets. Our audit will be started soon, and we will produce an Annual Report in late January. In its October board meeting, the board voted to go to bi-monthly newsletters. The next newsletter you will receive will be in January and then again in March, May, July, September and November in 2027. The board also passed a policy that will require members to rsvp when attending events that involve the chapter purchasing tickets or paying fees on behalf of our members. The policy reads as follows; “In an effort to be responsible to our donors and chapter membership, any member and/ or caregiver who signs up to attend an event that requires the chapter to use chapter funds to pay for the cost for that member and/or caregiver to attend the event, will be required to RSVP. If the member and/or caregiver does not attend the event without a valid excuse for their absence (validity will be determined by the Chapter Board of Directors President or Executive Director). That member will be required to reimburse the cost to the chapter in order to remain a “member in good standing”. Members must be considered a “member in good standing” for any funding, according to our policies and procedures.” The intent of this policy is not to prevent members from attending events but to be frugal in our use of funds available. On occasion we have had members commit to attending an event where we have paid the costs of their attendance and then without any notice to the chapter just not show up. Had we been aware of their not attending, we could have recouped the funds spent. We recognize that emergencies can change someone’s plans, and we will certainly recognize that when those things happen. The chapter has also launched a new website with a new look and many new features. The new website will be public but will have a member portal that an only be accessed by PVACF members who have signed up. The member portal will be password protected and every member who signs up will have their own password. The member portal will allow them to receive emails from the chapter through the website and will allow members to make comments and send messages to the chapter. There are many other features to this website that are further explained by our Web Master (and chapter member) Charlie Merritt in a separate article in this newsletter. Sports provide an opportunity to set goals, learn new skills, overcome challenges, and experience accomplishment. Reaching a personal goal—such as improving a wheelchair racing time, learning a new swimming technique, or helping a team win a game—can build confidence and self-esteem. The sense of achievement that comes from participating in sports can help people recognize their abilities rather than focusing solely on their limitations. Another major benefit is social connection. Paralysis can sometimes lead to isolation, particularly when people have difficulty finding activities that are accessible and inclusive. Adaptive sports bring people together in an environment where participants can share experiences and encourage one another. Teammates, coaches, families, and other athletes can become an important support network. Friendships developed through sports can extend beyond practices and competitions, helping participants feel connected to their communities. Adaptive sports can also promote independence. Learning how to participate in a sport often requires athletes to develop problem-solving skills and become comfortable using adaptive equipment. These experiences can increase confidence in handling challenges in other areas of life. Athletes may become more willing to try new activities, travel to competitions, participate in community events, or pursue personal and professional goals. Participation can also change the way people view disability. Adaptive athletes demonstrate that paralysis does not eliminate a person’s ability to compete, lead, achieve goals, or contribute to a team. Their accomplishments can challenge stereotypes about disability and encourage greater understanding and inclusion within communities. Adaptive sports therefore benefit not only the athletes but also the people who watch, volunteer, coach, and support them. For veterans and civilians living with paralysis, adaptive sports can provide a particularly valuable sense of purpose and community. Programs offered through rehabilitation centers, community organizations, schools, and sporting organizations can introduce athletes to activities that may become lifelong interests. Competitive opportunities can range from local recreational programs to national and international competitions. Adaptive sports are not simply modified versions of traditional sports. They are opportunities for people with disabilities to discover what they can accomplish. Through physical activity, teamwork, competition, and personal achievement, adaptive sports can improve fitness, strengthen confidence, reduce isolation, and promote independence. Ultimately, the greatest benefit of adaptive sports may be the opportunity they provide to focus on ability rather than disability. With appropriate equipment, coaching, accessibility, and support, people with paralysis can participate, compete, build relationships, and achieve goals they may once have thought were out of reach. Adaptive sports demonstrate the power of physical activity to improve quality of life while creating communities where everyone has the opportunity to play, compete, and succeed.