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NEW EDITION OF "YES, YOU CAN!" AVAILABLE
The first months after a spinal cord injury is a stressful, uncertain time. Yes, You Can!, A Guide to Self-Care for Persons with Spinal Cord Injury, is written expressly for the newly injured and people with disabilities, helping them gain knowledge, confidence and power to address all the important issued related to living with spinal cord injury (SCI).
Compiled and edited by the same team of more than 40 experts from the Seattle VA health care system for more than two decades,Yes, You Can! contains the most up-to-date information available. Having answers is central to personal care and independence for people who have SCI.
The fourth edition is organized into four main topic areas: How SCI Affects Your Body; Maximizing Your Function; Coping and Living with SCI; Staying Healthy after SCI. Each section within those topics concludes with a list of print, online or community resources for obtaining additional information. Yes, You Can! equips people with disabilities with essential information on how they can lead healthy, productive lives and reintegrate fully into the community.
Download the PDF version
Link to the Online version
The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has launched its new "Returning Veterans" Web site -- to welcome home Veterans of the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts with a social, Veteran-centric Web site focusing on their needs and questions.
"VA is entering the world of Web 2.0, because that's where this generation of Veterans is already communicating," said Dr. Gerald M. Cross, VA's Principal Deputy Undersecretary for Health. "We're opening our doors to them virtually to let them know what they can expect when they step through our doors in reality."
The Web site will feature videos, Veteran stories, and a blog where Veterans are encouraged to post feedback. The site also will restructure the traditional index-of-benefits format found on other VA pages into question-based, categorized, and easily navigated links by topic. This will allow Veterans to find benefits of interest easily and discover related benefits as they explore.
"We hope our returning Veterans find this site easy and helpful, but also engaging," Dr. Cross said. "As the site grows, we will be linking to Veterans' blogs and highlighting more of their own stories from their own views. We are their VA, so we are eager to provide a forum for Veterans to discuss their lives."
Beyond "Worthy"
On Saturday evening, September 27, 2008 at the Wyndham Hotel and Conference Center, our Chapter held its annual Recognition & Award Banquet to thank those people who gave "above and beyond" to service to our membership.
2009 WPVA Board of Directors - Inducted 9-27-08
Left to Right - Al Revolinski, Russell Worth, Jack Stone (VP & National Director), Michael Thomas, Augie Krieser (Government Relations Officer), Phillip Rosenberg (President), Chancy Williamson (Newsletter Editor), Jim Rutledge (Secretary) Not Pictured - Larry Ramirez and John Wille, Ken Matthews (Treasurer)
We were fortunate to have as our guest speaker, Marv Freedman, Board Chair, for Wisconsin Department of Veteran Affairs (WDVA). He commented on the close collaboration between WPVA and our efforts on behalf of veterans with any disabilities not just those that had been paralyzed by injury or disease. He also reaffirmed his intention on strengthening our relationship because it would mean delivery of quality services to all Wisconsin Veterans.
As is the custom our Board of Directors and its officers for 2008-09 were officially sworn in and presented our four annual chapter awards to very worthy recipients.
2009 WPVA Award Recipients
Left to Right - Norb and Theresa Hoff ( Pat Wiseman Volunteers of the Year), Paul Lehman, (Special Recognition of Merit - Trapshoot), Phillip Rosenberg (Donald Schmidt Sportsman of the Year Award), Phyliss Rutledge (Certificate of Recognition), Stanley Hunt (President's Award) and Stephen Hoyer (Certificate of Recogintion)
Not Pictured - Marc Koepsel (Faulkner Award), and other Certificates of Recognition went to Scot Godager, Sandy Laedtke, Joyce Casey, Sandy Hammersley, Kim Michalowski, Lynn & Richard Halatek, Phyllis Rutledge and Candie Stevenson.
CONGRATULATIONS GUS!
2008 Spirit of The Games Award Recipient | July 31, 2008
With cowbells in hand and enthusiasm coursing his veins, he cheers on his fellow veterans in competition. The bells have become a tradition – the man, an inspiration. With 20 years of National Veterans Wheelchair Games experience backing him, this former president of the Wisconsin Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America is honored as the 2008 Spirit of the Games award recipient.
Gustave “Gus” Sorenson, an Army veteran from the city of Sturtevant, enjoys the sports and the camaraderie at the Games, but most of all, he loves the people. Well, Gus, the people are fond of you and your demeanor, too! That is what this award is all about. The Spirit of the Games award is given to an athlete who clearly demonstrates not only athletic competence, but also sportsmanship and strength of character. Sorenson, as described by his numerous supporters, is humble, kind, encouraging and giving. [Download the full story in PDF form]
FIRST GRADERS ADOPT A COUPLE OF WPVA VETS
Don Fell | Wisconsin PVA Executive Director, April 30, 2008
As part of PVA Awareness week Augie Krieser, WPVA Government Relations Officer and Gus Sorenson, our Government Relations Director again visited Stacy Jaegers first grade class at Jackson Elementary School in Manitowoc. For the past five years Augie and Gus have been meeting with Ms. Jaegers class once to twice a year. According to Ms. Jaeger her kids really look forward to a visit from these two Vietnam Vets. Her classes have adopted them and enthusiastically listen and interact with these vets as they tell the story of what it is like to first be a veteran of the armed services and then what life has been like living in a wheelchair for many years.
Both Augie and Gus explain what it means to be a quadriplegic, how they were injured, and how they have adapted to their disability. The kids are really surprised to learn that the vets work at full-time jobs, drive their own vehicles, and participate in such sports as Quad Rugby and Track & Field at the National Veteran Wheelchair Games each year. Often Augie and Gus bring an extra wheelchair or two so the kids and their teacher can experience what life is like having to depend on a wheelchair to provide your main mode of getting from here to there every day.
Augie and Gus get as much benefit from these visits as the kids do. The energy of a group of 20 first graders gives them quite a boost that last for quite some time after their visit to the class is over. Truth be told, Gus and Augie look forward to these visits as much as the kids do.
A quote from Augies recent letter to the Editor to the local Manitowoc newspaper really captures the message our Chapter relays to the community at large during PVA Awareness Week.
With this thought, I sign off... "Think more about the challenges facing paralyzed veterans, their families and loved ones --- from having to fight for good health care and striving for a barrier free accessible nation for everyone." I am proud to be from Wisconsin!
Augie Krieser joined the Wisconsin Paralyzed Veterans of America [PVA] in 1980 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 1990. Augie is the Government Relations Officer [GRO] and he is the Chair of the Advocacy/Legislation Committee. He received the Chapter Presidents Award in 1992.
Employed by the City of Manitowoc, Wisconsin as a Firefighter for many years, Augie was also certified as an Emergency Medical Technician [EMT] and as an EMT Instructor. Due to a motorcycle accident in 1980 that resulted in quadriplegia, Augie received a medical retirement. He is a member of the Retired Professional Firefighters Association [RPFA], Veterans of Foreign Wars [VFW], Disabled American Veterans [DAV], American Veterans of WWII, Korea, and Vietnam [AMVETS], and the Vietnam Veterans of America [VVA].
From 1964-67, Augie was a member of the United States Army and trained in the field of aviation. While stationed in Vietnam Augie was a Crew Chief on an OV1-Mohawk and later a CV-2 Caribou. While in Vietnam, his duties included gathering military intelligence for the Marines on the DMZ and Ho Chi Minh Trail in I Corps by night aerial surveillance. He was assigned to the 20th ASTA Detachment at a small landing field at Hue-Phu Bai. He finished his stint in the military at Fort Benning, Georgia as a Maintenance Chief.
Augie Krieser graduated from Lincoln High School in Manitowoc Class of 64. As a student at the University of Wisconsin-Manitowoc Campus and at Silver Lake College, Augie earned a BA Degree in Psychology and Family Studies, an MA Degree in Political Science, and a BSW Degree in Social work. He is currently working on his MSW Degree in Social Work.
Augie enjoys wheelchair racing, fishing, and target practice. He is a tireless advocate for accessibility, and he derives great pleasure in educating his hometown on ADA requirements. Augie resides in Manitowoc, Wisconsin.
Gus Sorenson became Government Relations Director [GRD] in May 2000. Prior his appointment to this position, Gus has served the chapter as President, National Director, Vice-President, Secretary, Board Member, and Volunteer. Gus is also a member of PVAs Long Range Planning Committee. He has been a PVA Member since the 1970s.
As GRD, Mr. Sorensons primary focus is monitoring legislation that affects veterans and advocating for individuals with physical disabilities. He is also involved in a number of other assignments for the chapter such as grant writing, newsletter material, and fund raising. Mr. Sorenson often speaks to school classes and professional groups on what it means to be a veteran and what its like to live with a disability.
Mr. Sorenson served in the United States Army from May 1968 through February 1970 when he was honorably discharged. Sixteen days later he sustained a spinal cord injury. Overseas tours of duty include Panama and South Vietnam. Among his military decorations are the Silver Star, Army Commendation Medal, and the Combat Infantrymans Badge [CIB].
Gus Sorenson has a Degree in History from the University of Wisconsin-Parkside and currently resides in Sturtevant, Wisconsin. He is an avid Quad Rugby player and a life long, die hard, fan of the Chicago Cubs.
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