The Lone Star Chapter, Paralyzed Veterans of America, a congressionally chartered veterans service organization established on 19th of August 1989, is locally involved in the support of its members or veterans who served in the armed forces that have experienced spinal cord injury or dysfunction, in the North Texas area.
Our Mission:
Lone Star Chapter PVA advocate for:
1. Quality health care for its members and veterans
2. Ensure its members that they will receive education addressing their spinal injury or dysfunction.
3. Ensure its members get help in securing benefits as a result of their military service.
4. Ensure its members that their Civil rights and opportunities are met to maximize their independence.
To enable LSPVA to continue to honor this commitment, we must recruit and retain members who have the experience, energy, dedication and passion necessary to help guide the organization and ensure adequate resources to sustain the programs essential for LSPVA to achieve its mission.
It is with deep sadness that we notify you that long time member and LSPVA MS Committee Chairman Bill Clifford past away June 23, 2009 at his home in Rowlett after a courageous battle of 20+ years with MS. A Funeral Service will be held Saturday, June 27, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in Williams memorial chapel. Visitation is Friday from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.at Williams Funeral Home 1600 S. Garland Ave., Garland TX 75040, (972)276-5000. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made “In memory of Bill Clifford” to the National MS Society or the Lone Star Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America
On behalf of the LSPVA family, we extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to Bill's beloved wife Susie, daughter and son-in-law, Carrie and Ryan Robinson, the Clifford’s granddaughters Rachael and Julia Robinson and his loving caregiver of 17 years, Bertha Johnson during this extremely difficult time of loss.
Bill Clifford 1938 - 2009
H1N1 Flu
H1N1 Flu or also known as Swine Influenza (swine flu) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza viruses. Outbreaks of swine flu happen regularly in pigs. People do not normally get swine flu, but human infections can and do happen. Most commonly, human cases of swine flu happen in people who are around pigs but it is possible for swine flu viruses to spread from person to person also.
This page has been developed in response to reports of human swine flu. VA is issuing general messages, more detailed advisories for medical staff, and other information as events unfold. To stay updated, the authoritative Federal source is:www.cdc.gov/swineflu.
CDC H1N1 Flu Updates and GuidanceCheck the CDC web site for these items and more:
General info
Questions and answers
What to do if you get symptoms
Info for specific groups
Travel notices
Antiviral drugs
Clinical guidance on patient care
VA Information on Flu and Preventing Transmission of Infection
VA has established two toll-free call centers (open 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. EST) related to H1N1 flu:
Veterans and Family Members: 1-800-507-4571
VA Staff: 1-866-233-0152 VA employees should also be in communication with their supervisors, if they are ill, need to take leave, or have questions specific to their facility or office.
All other general VA information is available toll free at 1-800-827-1000.
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June / July 2009
Yes You Can! and other publications
Steven Got One...
Texas Round Up 2008 Movie
open letter to Veterans from Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric K. Shinseki.
THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WASHINGTON
Fellow Veterans,
My name is Ric Shinseki, and I am a Veteran. For me, serving as Secretary of Veterans Affairs is a noble calling. It provides me the opportunity to give back to those who served with and for me during my 38 years in uniform and those on whose shoulders we all stood as we grew up in the profession of arms.
The Department of Veterans Affairs has a solemn responsibility to all of you, today and in the future, as more Veterans join our ranks and enroll to secure the benefits and services they have earned. I am fully committed to fulfilling President Obama’s vision for transforming our department so that it will be well-positioned to perform this duty even better during the 21st Century. We welcome the assistance and advice of our Veterans Service Organizations, other government departments and agencies, Congress, and all VA stakeholders as we move forward, ethically and transparently, so that Veterans and citizens can understand our efforts.
Creating that vision for transforming the VA into a 21st Century organization requires a comprehensive review of our department. We approach that review understanding that Veterans are central to everything VA does. We know that results count, that the department will be measured by what we do, not what we promise, and that our best days as an organization supporting Veterans are ahead of us. We will fulfill President Lincoln’s charge to care for “. . . him, who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan” by redesigning and reengineering ourselves for the future.
Transforming any institution is supremely challenging; I know this from my own experience in leading large, proud, complex, and high-performing organizations through change. But the best organizations must be prepared to meet the challenging times, evolving technology and, most importantly, evolving needs of clients. Historically, organizations that are unwilling or unable to change soon find themselves irrelevant. You and your needs are not irrelevant.
Veterans are our clients, and delivering the highest quality care and services in a timely, consistent and fair manner is a VA responsibility. I take that responsibility seriously and have charged all of the department’s employees for their best efforts and support every day to meet our obligations to you. Our path forward is challenging, but the President and Congress support us. They have asked us to do this well—for you. Veterans are our sole reason for existence and our number one priority—bar none. I look forward to working together with all VA employees to transform our department into an organization that reflects the change and commitment our country expects and our Veterans deserve.
Thank you and God bless our military, our Veterans, and our Nation.
Eric K. Shinseki THE SECRETARY OF VETERANS AFFAIRS WASHINGTON
Election: Eric T Payton, Jack Richards, Tricia Labar and John Fay, swearing them in is National Vice President Liaison Bill Lawson.
In The News: 05-09-2009
Lone Star Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America’s 14th Annual Bass Tournament will be held at Lake Ray Hubbard in Garland Texas on June 12-14, 2009. Click Here For Details
President Obama’s 2010 Spending Plan Initiates Transformation for VA Services Record Budget EnhancesVA’s Ability to Become a 21st Century Organization Today, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced President Obama’s 2010 budget for VA. The budget emphasizes a Veteran-centric commitment to expanded services with a 15.5 percent increase over 2009, the largest percentage increase for VA requested by a president in more than 30 years.Click Here For Full Story VA Recognized for Leadership in Federal Accountability The Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) 2008 Performance and Accountability Report ranked second amongst the largest federal agencies according to a report issued by the Mercatus Center of George Mason University. This independent research organization evaluates and ranks federal agency reports on how transparently they report their successes and failures, how well they document the tangible public benefits they produce, and whether they demonstrate that their leadership uses performance information to devise strategies for making program improvements. Click here for full story
Shinseki Sworn In, Vows 21stCentury Service to Veterans
Retired Army Gen. Eric K. Shinseki took the oath of office today as the Nation’s seventh Secretary of Veterans Affairs, assuming the leadership of the Department of Veterans Affairs following Tuesday's confirmation by the Senate.
"The overriding challenge I am addressing from my first day in office is to make the Department of Veterans Affairs a 21st century organization focused on the Nation's Veterans as its clients," Shinseki said. Click Here For Full Story
Barack Obama the 44th President Of The United States Barack Obama’s sweeping victory as president of the United States sends him to the White House to face what may be the worst national financial crisis since the time of Franklin Roosevelt’s election in 1932. Obama won on his own terms, strategically and symbolically. He rolled up a series of contested states, from Colorado to Virginia, long out of Democratic reach. And his victory reflected the accuracy of his vision of a reshaped country. Racism, much discussed, turned out to be a footnote, and African-American turnout was not unusually high. Instead, Obama drew his strength from an array of racially mixed, growing areas around cities like Orlando, Washington, Indianapolis, and Columbus on his way to at least 349 electoral votes.
Enhanced VA Mortgage Options Now Available for Veterans Veterans with conventional home loans now have new options for refinancing to a Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) guaranteed home loan. These new options are available as a result of the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2008, which the President signed into law on October 10, 2008.Click Here for Full Story
Deter Detect Defend - Avoid ID Theft Video
More Information About How To Protect Yourself From Identity Theft
Stem cell transplants show promise for MS: study By Julie Steenhuysen
CHICAGO - U.S. researchers have reversed multiple sclerosis symptoms in early stage patients by using bone marrow stem cell transplants to reset the immune system, they said on Thursday.
Some 81 percent of patients in the early phase study showed signs of improvement with the treatment, which used chemotherapy to destroy the immune system, and injections of the patient's bone marrow cells taken beforehand to rebuild it.
SERVICE DOGS by Perry M. Dijkman, National Service Officer
I have been getting asked about service dogs. I have received the following information about what is going on with service dogs. The article below, is actually from the Prosthetics Chief in Washington D.C. “The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) supports the issuance of guide dogs by outside agencies to eligible veterans who receive aids for the blind as part of medical and/or rehabilitative services. VA supports the collaborative efforts between guide dog agencies and VA medical centers to provide guide dogs for blinded veterans. These agencies have a proven and consistent record in their delivery model, training and selection of dogs and owners. These agencies also provide their animals free of charge. If the veteran becomes adjusted to a guide dog, the dog is the veteran’s property and the veteran is responsible for procuring and paying for license tags (if required) food, and for liability of any damages inflicted by the dog on others. Veterinary treatment and harness repair services by the VA. Click Here For Full Story
Angel Menu
For any and all these volunteer projects: please contact Robyn Smith or Glendon Bentley at 972-276-5252 between the hours of 8:30am & 4pm.
DALLAS OFFICE Senior Benefits Advocate: Perry M. Dijkman, Sec. Zelda Herrera VA Medical Center 4500 S. Lancaster Rd., Rm. 1A102, SCI Unit Dallas, TX 75216 214/ 857-0105 or 0106
Dallas Veterans Affairs SCI/SCD Unit Marianna T.Demko, AO 214-857-1758
Lone Star PVA (Annex Office) 4500 South Lancaster Road Dallas, Texas 75216 (214) 857-0595/0596
The Texas Service Officer John Kahler, SBA Olga Fernandez, SR Secy 6900 Almeda Road Houston, Texas 77030-4200 713-383-2727/2723 800-795-3571
All Department Heads Please send your information that you would like posted on your webpages, or If you still have not set up your new e-mail accounts contact me at webmaster@mypva.org
For More Information Contact:
Lone Star Paralyzed Veterans of America Dallas 3925 Forest Lane Garland, TX 75042 Tel: 800-583-5252 - 972-276-5252
