Keeping America safe and free has always come with a heavy price. Our veterans shoulder a great deal of that cost, sacrificing so much in service of their country. Paralyzed Veterans of America has stood for more than 75 years as a support system for disabled vets with spinal cord injuries and disorders, and the organization goes to great lengths to raise funds and awareness to help these brave men and women. April marks PVA Awareness Month, and the team at Rollx Vans would like to take the opportunity to highlight this organization’s work and detail all the ways you can get involved.
The History of Paralyzed Veterans of America
While April is Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Month, PVA makes raising awareness on behalf of disabled vets a daily mission. That has been its objective for more than 75 years since the organization was founded in the months following the end of World War II.
PVA was founded on Jan. 18, 1946, by 70 WWII veterans who had been paralyzed in the war. From its inception, the mission of PVA was to ensure that wounded veterans could return home and enjoy the respect, independence, and dignity they deserve. One of the earliest acts of the newly established group was the publication of The Paraplegia News — later PN magazine — which would act as a way for veterans to reach one another and share their stories across the country.
In 1971, PVA became a congressionally chartered organization, allowing it to expand its abilities to help veterans and raise awareness. This facilitated the establishment of the PVA Research Foundation in 1975 and the creation of the National Veterans Wheelchair Games with the Department of Veterans Affairs in 1985. Over the years, the PVA would become a fierce champion for equality, spearheading the passage of the Air Carrier Access Act in 1986 and the 1990 Americans With Disabilities Act.
Today, Paralyzed Veterans of America boasts more than 16,000 members and 33 chapters across America. Joining PVA gives you the opportunity to meet members at local chapter events and through a members-only Facebook group, receive physical and digital subscriptions to PN Magazine, and apply for scholarships to further your education.
PVA also makes considerable efforts to support veterans by advocating for sociopolitical reform, offering job placement and career programs, and funding and carrying out critical research geared toward finding a cure for SCI/D. In the years to come, PVA will continue to focus on critical initiatives such as family planning access and improving advancement opportunities for women veterans.
How to Get Involved During Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Month
PVA Awareness Month is an annual opportunity to spread awareness about the issues facing veterans with SCI/D. During the month of April, Paralyzed Veterans of America shares the stories of its members from across its 33 chapters as well as updates on its efforts to build a better world for the brave individuals who have served our country so honorably.
There are several ways to get involved during Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Month. If you are a paralyzed veteran, you can take the opportunity to learn more about what the organization does and apply for membership. This allows you to access its many great benefits and become one of the stories driving hope and awareness every year.
Other ways to support PVA include attending an event like the annual Healthcare Summit or Women Veterans Empowerment Retreat, becoming a supporting sponsor of an event or program, or starting a fundraiser for Paralyzed Veterans of America on Facebook. You can also explore local volunteer opportunities, join the PVAction Force and take part in national advocacy efforts, or engage in one-time donations or planned giving.
Rollx Vans Is Proud to Partner With PVA
Providing greater access to adaptive vehicles is also a touchstone of PVA’s Next 75 agenda, and Rollx Vans is proud to partner with Paralyzed Veterans of America on this front. PVA can help you navigate the sometimes complicated world of VA benefits, acting as an authorized representative on behalf of veterans, dependents, and survivors. This allows you to get the benefits you deserve and apply them to the purchase of a new Rollx wheelchair-accessible van. To get help from PVA, you can reach out to your local National Service Office — for example, in Minnesota, there are offices in Minneapolis and St. Paul.
Paralyzed Veterans of America also share the aim of advocating for more benefits allowing veterans to purchase mobility vehicles. PVA took an official position of support in favor of the Advancing Uniform Transportation Opportunities for Veterans (AUTO) Act, which was signed into law in 2023 and provides veterans grants toward the purchase of an accessible vehicle every 10 years.
Rollx Vans celebrates Paralyzed Veterans of America Awareness Month as an opportunity to help our veterans achieve the freedom and independence they so richly deserve. We work with the PVA as well as the Department of Veterans Affairs to simplify the process of purchasing a new wheel-chair accessible van and take advantage of available grants and rebates. And we offer exceptional perks like nationwide delivery, a comprehensive service plan, and convenient financing options. To get started, contact our Veterans Solutions Specialists at 800-956-6668.