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WHO WE ARE
OFFICERS
WHAT WE'RE ABOUT
Ken Ness...................Milwaukee
The Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), a congressionally
chartered Veteran service organization founded in 1946, has
developed a unique expertise on a wide variety of issues involving
the special needs of our members – Veterans of the Armed Forces
who have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction, (disease,
MS, ALS).
DIRECTORS
PVA will use the expertise to be the leading advocate for:
Harold Hack..............Whitewater
Ken Ness...................Milwaukee
Jack Stone...................Poynette
Dale Nelson....................Oxford
Brian Green.................Glendale
Michael Thomas.........Milwaukee
•
Quality health care for our members,
•
Research and education addressing spinal cord injury and
dysfunction,
•
Benfefits availble as a result of our members' military service,
STAFF
•
Civil rights and opportunities which maximize the independence
of our members.
President..........Phillip Rosenberg
Vice Pres..............Ken Matthews
Secretary...............Jim Rutledge
Treasurer.................Brian Green
NATIONAL DIRECTOR
Paul Lehman...Executive Director
Gus Sorenson.......Govt Relations
John Gossette..........Bookkeeper
Susan Gall.........Executive Admin
...................& Newsletter Editor
SUPPORT
Wayne Dake..............IT Support
Patrick Furham..........Webmaster
& Social Media
Gwen Sheppard.........Webmaster
& Newsletter Design/Production
RECREATIONAL THERAPY
To enable PVA to continue to honor this commitment, we must
recruit and retain members who have the experience, energy,
dedication and passion necessary to manage the organization and
ensure adequate resource to sustain the programs essential for PVA
to achieve its mission.
PVA Wisconsin chapter administers the following programs to
achieve these goals:
Joyce Casey...................C.T.R.S.
Chelsea Kindler..............C.T.R.S.
• Membership, Chapter Administration, Service, Liaison,
Fundraising, Communication, Advocacy, and Sport & Recreation.
NATIONAL SVC OFFICE
(Additional details of these programs can be found on page 5.)
Stephanie Dennis........NS Officer
Linda Roberts.....Office Secretary
Call: (414) 902-5655
Toll Free: 800-795-3580
GR Update
REHAB COUNSELOR
Doug Green..................MS, CRC
New Office Hours
Monday:
8:00-4:00
Tuesday:
8:00-4:00
Wednesday:
8:00-4:00
Thursday:
8:00-4:00
Friday:
8:00-3:00
Saturday:
Closed
Gus Sorenson, Govt. Relations Director
gsorenson@wisconsinpva.orgThe United
States Congress and the Wisconsin State Legislature have begun
their new sessions in earnest. With the “draw down” in Afghanistan
it is my humble opinion that Veterans Issues will begin to fade from
the public eye. This means we will have to work that much harder
to gain support for legislation that will increase benefits and
services for Veterans. Our National organization is already hard at
work aggressively pursuing that goal. So is the PVA-WI Chapter.
To that end, Ken Matthews, Dale Nelson and I have been discussing
various ideas for the Chapter Advocacy/Legislation Committee to
Sunday:
Closed
prioritize and work on. Dale has tentatively agreed to make an
occasional visit (as needed) to the State Capitol Building in Madison
2311 S. 108th Street
West Allis, WI 53227-1901 to meet with various State Senators, State Assemblymen, and
other assorted State Officials. We will establish an ongoing “up
(800) 875-WPVA
close and personal” dialogue with these folks to reinforce our
(O) (414) 328-8910
message of quality services and benefits for veterans. The three of
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us are hoping to make a visit
sometime in February to
initiate the process.
New Year whereever you were, everything out by e-mail
be it at home celebrating there, prior to the meeting. We
or out at a party somewhere.
need these reports, so when
National PVA comes in we
We also plan to become more I was glad to see so many
can show them the
active with the Wisconsin
members at our Membership
documented compliance with
Department of Veterans Affairs meeting December 18th, which
PVA administrative
(WDVA). Our Chapter Board
just happened to coincide with
guidelines.■
member Ken Ness has become our annual Christmas party at
an important link for us with
the VA SCI Center. This was
WDVA but we need additional the largest attendance we have
Our Veterans Need
help. When it comes to
had for some time. There were
Our Veterans Need
Your HELP!
legislators and bureaucrats
many questions about the new
Your HELP!
there is strength in numbers. sports policy. I hope everyone
By making a tax-free
We also need to become more understood why it was
By making a tax-free
donation today, you can
visible within the disability
changed. Although some
donation
you can
community on a state level.
changes were made , we still
make a today,
Wisconsin
makelife
a Wisconsin
As an example, we must reneed to tweak it in a few areas. Veteran's
better. Mail
Veteran's
life
better. Mail
kindle our relationships with
the enclosed donation
I have not been to the SCI
the enclosed
donation
Independence First and the
envelope
TODAY!
95%
center lately, so I am unaware
envelope
TODAY!
Governor’s Committee for
goes to Veterans95%
of any issues there. If you
People with Disabilities
goesand
to Veterans
have had any problems at the programs
5% goes to
(GCPD). PVA-WI needs to
programs
and 5% goes to
VA, please be ready to bring
administration.
actively engage with these
administration.
them up at the next meeting.
organizations to advocate for
Dr. Lee plans to attend and we
accessibility and other
can address those issues with
pertinent issues that affect our
him.
membership.
Paul has informed me of
With PVA-WI BOD permission
several issues handled by
Members at Large
Ken Matthews and Dale Nelson
several of the committees.
will be attending PVA’s Annual
These issues will be further
Advocacy/Legislation Seminar
discussed at the next meeting.
in Washington, D.C. in early
I gave Paul the authority to
March. In addition to
Associate Membership
close the office in the event of
receiving a great deal of
pertinent information, they will bad weather. That was done
be making “Courtesy Calls” to two days week of Dec 29th –
the offices of Wisconsin’s two Jan 2nd, and I expect it will
Officers & Staff
happen again this winter.
Senators and eight
Representatives. These face
As I have previously requested,
to face meetings help to
all committees are expected to
reinforce our position on
submit a written report to the
veterans and accessibility
BOD for each meeting. If your
issues and bolster our image
committee has not met, please Newsletter Subscription
to these legislators and their
state that in your report. The
ATTENTION:
key stall personnel. I have
committee chairs should try to
Want to help us cut costs.
every confidence they will do
have a monthly meeting, or at
Receive the newsletter via
an excellent job in
least contact the committee
email. Contact Susan Gall at
representing our chapter.■
members to see if they have
NUMBERS
312
312
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President's Report
Phillip E. Rosenberg
I hope you all had a Happy
any input. These reports need
to be sent into the office the
Thursday before our BOD
meeting so Sue can get
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info@wisconsinpva.org
To unsubscribe from the
newsletter send an email to
info@wisconsinpva.org
Badger Sportsman Magazine Deal
Prosthetics Delay?
You have a chance in helping a
veteran by subscribing to Badger
Sportsman magazine, the oldest
outdoor Wisconsin magazine.
Starting April 1 for every year you
subscribe to Badger Sportsman,
$5.00 will go to the PVA Wisconsin
Chapter to help fund our shooting
program. One hundred percent
goes to sending veterans to attend
shooting events. It is simple go to
either the chapters website at
Delay in your Prosthetics. We
would like to hear from you.
The forms are available from
the Service office, Chapter
office, your Hospital Liaison
Officer or online at
www.wisconsinpva.org.
Sherman Gillums at 202416-7721 with your questions
or concerns or email the
National office at
prosthetics@pva.org.
www.wisconsinpva.org/resources/sports-and-recreation/badgersportsman.html or Badger Sportsman at
http://www.badgersportsman.com/subscribe/online/promotions/busine
sses/pva-wi/2014-03.■
Executive Director's Report
Paul Lehman
lehmanp@wisconsinpva.org
Hope everyone had a great holiday and Happy New Year. The
year 2015 will come with many changes to the chapter's
policies. The volunteer policy was the first change the board of
directors made to the chapter policies. The sports policy is
currently in revision and will come with many changes. In the
past, the chapter had to cut funding going to the games and
winter sports clinic in order for everyone to attend. 2015 will
come with tighter funding requirements making it harder for
those that think going to these events is a holiday. The board
of directors has taken a more positive stance on individuals
owing the chapter money than in the past now enforcing the
policy to the letter. The chapter has lost to much over the past
years by members refusing to pay their fare share.
The chapter website will go through a fourth change since
2004 and scheduled for July 1st launch date. The new site will
have a fresh new look, to include easier navigation, donation
page with recurring donation, special features and a sponsor
banner. The project will use mostly volunteer's time, which will
save the chapter money.
The chapter just purchased a trailer for the wheelchair lacrosse
team, "Milwaukee Eagles". February 9th the team will have its
first practice. The practice will be every 2nd and 4th Monday of
the month. The location will be the old Marquette Gym at
1532 W. Clybourn Street, Milwaukee, WI. The time is 6:00PM
to 7:30PM. Coach Ampolo and MU Men’s Lacrosse Team is the
big sponsor providing coaching and sports equipment.
Currently, James Veltri is Captain and Eric Fife as Co-Captain.
The Board is 100% behind the team and approved continued
fund raising to support the team. Go Eagles Go !■
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"Giving can be
so easy, why
not set us up
on your auto
pay plan"
Scholarship Recipient
CHAPTER PROGRAMS
I was selected as the
recipient of the
Virginia Bea Root
Occupational Therapy
scholarship in
November. Here is a
little about me and
my decision to
become an OT:
The mandatory programs which must be operated
by each participating PVA chapter are briefly
described as follows:
1. Membership: Each chapter must
maintain a minimum of thirty (30)
members.
2. Chapter Administration: Each chapter
must maintain its own overall
management system of its operations and
must use PVA standardized forms for
programs t h a t provide such forms.
3. Service: Each chapter must maintain a
program to assist its members in applying
for and obtaining veterans' benefits.
4. Liaison: Each chapter must maintain a
program which provides liaison with VA
Medical Centers or other institutions
where members receive health care.
5. Fundraising: Each chapter must
maintain a p r o g r a m to r a i s e f u n d s
f o r t h e implementation of its chapter
programs. This fundraising program must
be operated in a manner which is
consistent w i t h the philosophy of PVA.
6. Communication: Each chapter must
maintain a program to report its activities
to its membership, other chapters, t h e
National O f f i c e , and national o f f i c e r s ,
at least quarterly.
7. Advocacy: Each chapter must maintain
a program to advocate for the civil rights
of its members.
8. Sports and Recreation: Each chapter
must provide a program to improve the
quality of life of paralyzed veterans and
other persons with disabilities by assisting
the expansion of both the quality and
quantity of opportunities in sports and
recreation, especially those activities which
enhance lifetime health and fitness.■
After working in Marketing for seven
years, I learned how important hard
work and communication are, but I
felt unfulfilled in my daily work life. I
learned about Occupational Therapy
after a close family member suffered
a stroke and while watching her learn
to do daily tasks she had once taken
for granted, I recognized the
influence that OT had on her
recovery. It was then that I realized
that becoming an Occupational
Therapist would help me make a
difference in other people's lives and
let me connect with people to restore
their bodies and as well as their
spirit. I wanted to learn how to help
people thrive through all aspects of
life.
In my community, I have over 80
hours of volunteer experience and I
am a member of Pi Theta Epislon
through Mount Mary University, which
is an acedemic honor society where I
developed a program to advance
Occupational Therapy within the
community.
I would like to thank the Wisconsin
Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of
America for selecting me for the
Virginia "Bea" Root Occupational
Therapy scholarship. I appreciate
your support as I continue my path
to becoming an Occupational
Therapist.
Thank you again.
Stefanie I.■
Chase Helping Veterans
Chase is offering to veterans and families mortgage free homes to 1,000 qualified veterans and
100,000 Jobs Mission. Chase Military Banking offers many benefits such as no monthly service fees
and no required minimum balances on accounts. To learn more about the programs go to
www.ChaseMilitary.com■
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February
Events
You can register online for major
events on our website at
www.wisconsinpva.org/events
New Members
Christopher S. Richter
Associate Members
Patrick Cowle
Final Bugle Call
Michael O'Brien
Frank C. Duffek
March
April
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PVA-WI Board of
Directors meeting.
1:30 pm, Chapter
Office
PVA-WI Board of
Directors meeting.
1:30 pm, Chapter
Office
Office Closing: 1:00 pm
– Good Friday
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Office Closing: 1:00 pm St. Patricks Day
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24
Office Closed –
President's Day
PVA-WI Pizza party
4:30 pm SCI Center
Bldg 144 102 day
room.
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PVA-WI Pizza party
4:30 pm SCI Center
Bldg 144 102 day
room.
5
Easter
8
PVA-WI Board of
Directors meeting.
1:30 pm, Chapter
Office
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PVA-WI Membership
Meeting and Pizza
party 4:30 pm SCI
Center Bldg 144 102
day room.
GIFT TILE SALE
GIFT BRICK WALL
@
Clement J. Zablocki
VA Medical Center
Spinal Cord Wing
All proceeds benefit...
The New SCI Center
4”x8”....................$100
8”x8”....................$195
8”x8” w/logo........$295
12”x12”................$450
12”x12” w/logo ...$550
Remember your special Veteran by purchasing a
personalized tile with their name and pertinent information. Add logos and/or insignia as size permits.
Organization are encouraged to participate also.
For additional information please see our website at www.wisconsinpva.org or contact the chapter
office.
6
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SAVE WITH PVA
AND
LANDS END
Now you can order PVA Logo merchandise in
the item you want, directly from Land’s End
and save 12% off the listed price. It is easy,
go to
http://Ces.landsend.com/Wisconsin_PVA to
place your order. All orders require a credit
or debit card payment and will be shipped
directly to you. Promotional items are void of
the 12% savings.■
Boulders Climbing Gym
3964 Commercial Ave.
Madison, Wisconsin
ATTENTION HUNTERS & ICE FISHERS!
“FREE TO MEMBERS”
Do you need a camouflage hunting blind?
We have an insulated hunting trailer built for up
to 5
wheelchairs.
You will stay
dry and
warm. The
trailer lowers
to the ground
for easy
access; and
has four
shooting
ports.
Contact the PVA-WISCONSIN Office if you would
like to borrow the trailer.
Already participating in adaptive climbing?
Team USA Paraclimbing athletes
will also be on hand providing skill building
workshops to help take your
climbing to the next level. To sign up or
become a volunteer visit: http://
www.123contactform.com/form-1215101/USAParaclimbing-Clinic
Contact: Ronnie Dickson, phone/text 863-6516844 or email
dickson.ronnie@gmail.com
■
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Your CFC Charity of Choice!
Are you a federal employee in Southeast
Wisconsin? Have you thought about signing
up to have donations deducted from your
check? Please consider the Paralyzed
Veterans of America Wisconsin Chapter to be
your charity for the Combined Federal
Campaign.
CFC #26146
■
PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS
1. ADVOCACY & LEGISLATION: (architectural
barriers, ADA issues, veterans issues)
2. SPORTS AND RECREATION: (SCI sporting
events, chapter & national events)
3. BUILDING: (Special Projects, Lease
Agreements, Maintenance)
4. LIAISON: (VAMC, Volunteers, Outpatient
Clinics, VABS)
5. SERVICE: (Compensation, Pension,
Education/Rehabilitation)
6. MEMBERSHIP: (Members, Outreach,
Membership Events, Elections)
7. COMMUNICATION: (Newsletter, website,
advertising, chapter literature)
8. FINANCE: (Audit, Budgets, Bookkeeping,
Investments)
9. FUNDRAISING: (Grant Writing, Raffles,
Events)
10. STRATEGIC (short & long range) PLANNING
COMMITTEE:
We invite you to be active in the Paralyzed
Veterans of America Wisconsin Chapter.
The committees listed above are all the
areas the chapter could use your help.
We welcome your opinions and time on
any of the committees listed.
Please contact the chapter to be a part of
the team!■
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Member Birthdays
February
Bradley E. Bastian
Ian J. Jenson
Russell E. Moore
Donald J. Sullivan
James L. Weber
David P. Meronek
John A. Orlandini
Thomas J. Liebe
Kermit W. Brey
David T. Mills
Gary R. Schoendorf
Ronald E. Davidson
John E. Seivert
Chris M. Skokan
Mitchell R. Hoyt
Caron L. Jones
06
07
07
08
10
11
11
12
13
15
15
19
19
23
27
29
March
Husher J. Barnett
John M. Macdonald
Paul F. Baier
Edward Krostal
Russell J. Worth
Craig C. Miller
Anthony Broussard
John R. Hansen
Mark A. Hopson
Frank Bearden
Eric D. Fife
Michael J. Larson
Kenneth B. Ness
Laura J. Nicosia
Perry M. Hix
Richard F. Ludwig
Thomas A. Blahnik
Loren L. Brunner
Dennis L. Wray
Ken M. Burclaw
Noah R. Currier
Michael M. Thomas
Ronnie Taliaferro
Mike A. Statz
Matthew R. Lemke
Robert N. Houtari
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Brew City Air Gun Shooters
Dairyland News
Newsletter Published Bi-Monthly
Email info@wisconsinpva.org
by Gwen Sheppard
gsheppard@wisconsinpva.org
Advertise in the Dairyland News and receive
free space on our Website for Twelve Months.
Anyone interested in more information or wanting to
shoot should contact Gwen Sheppard at 414-9799241 or email: gsheppard@wisconsinpva.org.
1 Issue
3 Issues
6 Issues
Biz Card
$50
$150
$300
Shoot dates: February 2rd. March 9th. At MATC
South Campus Shooting range.
¼ Page
$75
$225
$400
■
½ Page
$100
$300
$500
Full Page
$200
$400
$600
*(Dairyland News published 6 times a year)
1536 Copies are printed with each edition of the
newsletter. Dead line is the 15th of the month
before the next issue is printed. The Dairyland
News is printed Oct/Nov, Dec/Jan, Feb/Mar,
Apr/May, Jun/Jul and Aug/Sep. Payment by
check or credit card is accepted.
Contact:
Paralyzed Veterans of America - Wisconsin
Attn: Paul Lehman, Editor
2311 S. 108th Street
West Allis, WI 53227
(800) 875-WPVA (9782)
(414) 328-8910 Office
(414) 328-8948 FAX
H.R. 4892 - Military and Veteran
Caregiver Services Improvement Act of
2014
The Veteran and Military Caregiver Services
Improvement Act of 2014 was introduced earlier
this year. It removes obtrusive barriers to eligibility
that prevent caregivers from getting help, allows
veterans to transfer Post 9/11 GI Bill benefits to
their dependents, allows caregivers to be eligible for
child-care programs, provides vital financial advice
and legal counseling, and allows for valuable respite
time. Please contact your federal representatives
and ask them to co-sponsor H.R. 4892, or S. 2243,
and ensure this important legislation gets passed.■
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Volunteer!
The chapter is always looking for
individuals who want to volunteer their
time in the following areas: general office,
fund raising event and general building
maintenance. Call Paul or Susan at (800)
875-9182.
Entertainment
Don't forget members are able to apply for
a membership entertainment grant twice a
year (10/1-9/30). Information and forms
can be found at:
http://www.wisconsinpva.org/ or call the
office at (800)-875-9782.
Attention College
Students
Scholarships are Available
For:
Nursing
Physical Therapy
Occupational Therapy
Recreational Therapy
Please go to our Website
www.wisconsinpva.org
For requirements and
application forms.
Yearly scholarships
available to students who
plan going into the care of
spinal cord injury or
disease. $500, $1,000 and
$2,000 scholarships
available to junior and
senior students who are
attending an accredited
program at a Wisconsin
college. Scholarships must
be postmarked by April or
October 1st. See which one
would fit you the best.
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My First Year
Stephanie Dennis, National Service Officer
Stephanie@pva.org
I am coming up on my first year with Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA)and it
has been six months since I moved here to Milwaukee to be the National Service
Officer. I wanted to take the time to thank everyone that I have had the privilege
to meet and work with. In the beginning I trained most of the time to learn the
skills that were needed to help the veterans out and make sure that the benefits
that one was eligible for were the ones that the veteran was getting. Now I have
been through many different experiences here and have enjoyed each one. I have
grow and learned that everyone needs an advocate to help get their voice out. So
thank you for letting me be that advocate and learn along the way.
In lieu of an article on one point about the VA Medical Center or the rules I wanted to take a few
minutes to just do a general update of what has been going on. First off, some of you should have
received your Veteran’s Choice Act cards. These will be going out to every veteran in the VA Medical
system. Second each person will receive a small booklet in the mail detailing the care that they can
receive at the VA. These books are person specific, so not everyone’s will not be the same.
There have been changes in the hospital and there are more to come. Comp and Pen clinic has moved
to its new location, there will be some redesigning of the main entrance way and come spring, or nicer
weather, the hospital will start to build a ramp for parking for visitors. There are many other projects
that the VA is working on for the hospital but these are the main ones.
On the last note I just wanted to let everyone know that according to the VA, PVA is doing really well
in helping its veterans get the compensation they deserve. On an article put out to all the Service
Offices PVA was ranked number one among the top six Service Offices. This was based on the monthly
amount that we have helped to bring out veterans. We outpaced the second place Service Office by
almost two times what they have gotten for their veterans.
As always if you have questions or concerns please feel free to reach out to our office and we will help
to answer or address your questions/concerns.■
Snow Plow Regulations
SNOW REMOVAL - DID YOU KNOW?
Okay, we don’t want to think about it, right? Unless you’re one of those people who like a snowy
Wisconsin winter, this can be a frustrating time to get around. Here’s some information to keep in
mind. Did you know that it is illegal to plow snow into an “accessible parking” stall? Wisconsin law
calls for fine of up to $40.00 for the first offense and up to $100.00 for the second and subsequent
offenses.
WI statute 346.503 Parking spaces for vehicles displaying special registration plates or special
identification cards.
(2e) The owner or lessee subject to the requirements of sub.(1m) shall keep the parking spaces
reserved for vehicles designated under sub. (1m) or (2m) clear of snow and ice in a timely manner
and make other reasonable efforts to ensure that the spaces are available for use by a motor vehicle
used by a physically disabled person.
346.56 Penalty for violating sections 346.503 to 346.55. (1g) Any person violating s.346.503 (2e)
shall forfeit not less than $20.00 nor more than $40.00 for the first offense. For a 2nd or subsequent
conviction within 3 years, person shall forfeit not less than $50.00 nor more than $100.00.■
“An education focused site that provides a wide variety of resources that discusses topics such as
Continuing Education for Veterans, the GI Bill post 9/11, Veterans Online Education and Jobs Program
for Veterans...” Visit www.AccreditedOnlineColleges.org■
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