The importance of Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Awareness Month
By Robert L. Thomas Jr.
It’s hard to believe we’re already starting the fourth month of the calendar year.
April is Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) Awareness Month, and how fitting it is that during this month, we take the opportunity to educate the public on the work we do in the veteran and disabled community.
]Here at PVA, April isn’t the only time we try and bring awareness to our mission and our members. It’s a daily, monthly and yearly effort. Just last month, I had the opportunity to testify before a joint session of the Senate and House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs in Washington, D.C., informing them of some of PVA’s top priorities and issues that we’re facing as an organization.
While my testimony is important, it’s not just me advocating and delivering this message. Our team of professionals is constantly on Capitol Hill trying to get legislation written and moved forward that would better the lives of our members.
Last year, I shared my personal experience with you on how I began advocating with PVA during PVA Awareness Month. That approach has since changed due to the development of all of the different social media platforms available today.
Using social media allows us to reach millions of people in a moment’s time. It has opened the doors for us to get pertinent information out to the public on short notice.
Promoting PVA awareness shouldn’t be just the responsibility of the national organization or the chapters, but of each and every member.
I ask this question to you, our members: What are you going to do to spread PVA awareness this month?
Maybe you can just tell people your personal story of how PVA helped you, what attracted you to the organization or what inspired you to become an advocate for PVA. Explain how PVA advocates for change that not only helps veterans, but also the disabled community as a whole. Or talk about how the organization works tirelessly to help those living with a spinal cord injury, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and numerous other disabilities so people are able to live a fuller life.
Whichever way you choose to promote PVA awareness this month, just remember that you can be an inspiration to others. I know your fellow members surely appreciate you being a voice and joining in the efforts.
There’s power in numbers, and we keep pushing to make our hard work known by the general population. We keep fighting the good fight, and we can use all of the energies we can.
