I was recently asked to join the Education Foundation Board for the Paralyzed Veterans of America. I’m actually a member of PVA which not only works on supporting and promoting activities for those with spinal cord injuries but also those who have neurological issues like MS - which I have. A few years ago, my former Company Commander - Alan Jones, whom everyone in my unit would have followed into live volcano - and then current President of the Mountain States Chapter of PVA saw me limping with my brace and asked what happened. I told him I had recently been diagnosed with MS. He jammed his finger in my chest and said “You need to get with PVA because there are a lot of guys like you from the Desert Storm era with MS” and then he told me to work with the PVA Service Officer. Honestly, I had never wanted to enroll with the VA - I wasn’t shot or blown up and I always have thought those are the Vets who need service through the VA. Since then, I’ve registered and am now getting service via the VA. I have to say it’s all been a great experience and if I have a medical issue, I love being there vs anywhere else. I’ve met and connected with a lot of care providers and I’m kicking myself for not doing it earlier.

I also love being in the PVA and I’m so very honored to have been asked to join the Education Foundation Board. More to follow on this.