Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 1 Tri-State Chapter Paralog “Serving Those Who Served” www.TriStatePVA.orgJanuary - February 2026Volume 30 Issue 1Paralyzed Veterans of America Tri-State ChapterServing Oregon, Idaho and Washington
2 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026OFFICERSDon Hedlind President Vice President SecretaryKeith Wingfield TreasurerBOARD MEMBERSLarry Gardner Immediate Past PresidentLarry CartalesBill GraySue HoltRoy LindsayMike RosenbalmRoger TitusPROGRAM DIRECTORSMike Rosenbalm Peer MentoringSue Holt MS Contact Membership DirectorDon Hedlind Government RelationsAMBASSADORS IdahoDennis Hooper Southern OR Central ORRoger Titus Oregon CoastNATIONAL DIRECTORDon HedlindTRI-STATE OFFICE STAFFPhone: 503-362-7998Laura Berry Office Manager Scarlett Brandt Graphic Designer Office Admin Rick Wiley Development CoordinatorPARALOGScarlett Brandt Editor in ChiefScarlett Brandt Graphic Designer NATIONAL SERVICE OFFICERMatt Paige Email: [email protected]: 202-416-1255Care Contact Phone Numbers360-696-4061503-220-8262 ext. 31665 (Portland)800-949-1004 ext. 31665After Hours Number888-233-8305Portland VA ContactPhone Number503-273-5308ID Cardswww.vets.goveVetRecordswww.archives.govVocational Rehab & Employmentwww.gibill.goveBenefitswww.benefits.va.govWomen Veterans Health Care1-855-VA-WomanUS Disaster Hotline(800) 626 4959PORTLAND/Vancouver VA Primary RESOURCESThe views and opinions expressed in the Paralog are not necessarily a direct representation of the views or ideas of Paralyzed Veterans of America Tri-State Chapter who hereby disclaims any responsibility for opinions expressed by contributors and printed in the Paralog.PVA Tri-State Chapter Mission StatementParalyzed Veterans of America Tri-State Chapter, incorporated in 1976, is a chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America. We serve the needs of our Members – U.S. military veterans with spinal cord injury or disease (SCI/D) – and help them enjoy the highest possible quality of life.Tri-State Chapter, Members, Associate Members, Family Members, Volunteers, and allied organizations work to provide leadership and advocacy in• Improving health care and SCI/D research and education• Protecting veterans rights and benefits• Improving awareness of disability rights• Offering sports and health-promotion activities• Increasing accessibility and removing architectural barriers in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho.
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 3 Paralog Contents4 President News 8 Should I Use A.I. to Learn About MS10 MS Liaison News14 Recreation Fund16 Introducing the Code 4 Expierence22 Tri-State Chapter News24 Sports Corner26 Calendar28 Nurse Next Door30 Washington UpdateThank You to our Sponsors!Event Flyers: Page 6 Show & Shine Car ShowPage 7 Air Gun CompetitionPage 12 Deep Sea Bottom Fishing DatesPage 21 PVA Bowling TournamentPage 25 Deep Sea Salmon Fishing DatesCover Photo: Oregon Cascade HightwayPage 3 Photo: Sisters Mountains, ORPhotos Courtesy of Adobe Stock Images
4 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026Don Hedlind – PresidentPresident News11.8 Volunteer Luncheon Welcome to 2026, the year really flew by for our Paralyzed Veterans of America Tri-State Chapter. I personally would like to extend a Big THANK YOU to our staff, members, sponsors, donors and volunteers who stepped up and helped our Chapter during the year. We appreciate your time and effort to help accomplish and support our mission. We are looking forward to your continued participation and help in the coming year.PVA Tri-State Member Harriet Schmidt has written an article about the use of AI for MS. She points out that while helpful, AI may confuse a person when it comes to asking “how to live with their disease or injury and what we should be aware of.” I agree that AI is informational and can be a big help for things like “where is the best BBQ restaurant in town or how do I travel Korea in my wheelchair?” When it comes to medical diagnosis and decisions that need to be made, we must always remember that we need human input as well. AI can be a little too honest and dry, which in turn could mislead someone. AI is a computer program and if you have ever watched Star Trek, you know they have Doc McCoy on board the Star Ship Enterprise for a reason. Richard Ott of the Code4Experience podcast has written a guest article for your enjoyment. He is actively looking for veterans and first responders to have a chat with about your ‘\"service and sacrifice to a grateful and patriotic nation.” Many of you served your country and then continued to serve your community as first responders. We honor that service and sacrifice and I look forward to hearing some of your stories on the podcast. The Tri-State Chapter is going to be participating in some events coming up in the next couple of months. One is the PVA National Bowling Tournament at Big Al’s Bowling Arcade in Beaverton, Oregon March 13-15. There will be plenty of prizes awarded to our bowlers and participants in all categories. You do not need to be a Pro to bowl in
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 5 the tournament, you just need to show up and bowl, there are many levels including MS and ramp bowling. We are looking for lane sponsors, door prizes and volunteers who will be willing to help the bowlers. We will be having a Thank You Open Bowling for all at the end of the tournament. Thank You to Big Al’s for donating their bowling alley and hosting the event for us. If you are in the Beaverton, Oregon area, stop by and thank them. Caregiving is such an important part of the daily life of many of our members, and it is so hard to find a good caregiver or know where you can get one. I recently met with Davika, and her husband retired Army veteran Dave from Nurse Next Door. After talking with them for a little while, I asked them to write an article introducing themselves to you, and how they can help with caregiving. It has been one year since our Government Relations Department celebrated the passing of the Elizabeth Dole Home-Based Community Care Act. We worked on this vital piece of legislation with other non-profit Veteran Service Organizations for six years to finally get “Dole over the finish line.” When Veterans were surveyed on “aging in their home” the results were over 90% of them said “Yes.” The Dole Act allows the veteran to be the employer of their caregiver as a VA benefit. Caregiving is personal and the caregiver must treat the veteran with respect and help them stay healthy and get the care they need, even if it is just visiting them and being there for companionship. Caregiving companies like Nurse Next Door may fulfill this need. Our Capabilities Medical Expo is at the Silverton Chapter office on April 18. Our goal is to bring in the medical device, healthcare and recreational companies/organizations to show us what benefit or service they can provide for our veterans and the disabled community. This will be a fun event to celebrate PVA helping veterans for 80 years and Oregon Chapter serving for 50 years. We will be having food trucks, door prizes and a Silverton Mural SCI/MS roll/walk through the beautiful small-town atmosphere of Silverton, Oregon. We are looking for companies and organizations who are a part of the healthcare industry to showcase the many options and opportunities that are available to the “disabled community.” This is an open event from 10AM-4PM, everyone is welcome.Please call the office if you would like to participate.I wish you a blessed year, with grace, prosperity and good health. Winter is here, so remember to check on your loved ones and let us know if you need our help with anything. Cheerz!PLEASE NOTE:Available in Oregon and Washington only
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8 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026Should I Use A.I. to learn about MS?By: Harriet Schmidt, MemberArtificial Intelligence, AI, is here whether we choose to interact with it or not. It has some promising applications, such as fine-combing through medical images to spot abnormalities accurately, or to process large amounts of data. It can also be used in sinister ways, like the production of realistic fake videos - it can make anyone appear to say anything, and look believable.The Bad:I personally tried for a long time to avoid personal use of AI. I complain every time we drive past the miles of data centers in my town, which took prime acreage and hoard energy and water. I also want to boycott AI specifically because I have read that it gives horrible responses to people seeking mental health advice, and has led some people to self-destruction by appearing to validate their negative thoughts.We can't know \"who\" is feeding AI with its opinions and attitudes. It uses a warm, friendly, agreeable tone that quickly makes you feel like you are talking to a trusted friend, and makes you want to open up and tell it more. When you reveal to it information about yourself (by the questions you ask), who is keeping that information?The Questions: So, I have reservations. But at the same time, I had heard of people with MS uploading their MRI results to AI and getting interesting output. I started dabbling in using \"ChatGPT\" to ask silly things like \"plan some outfits for my vacation\". I told it where we'd be going, asked for weather to be considered, how much luggage I wanted to use, and what style I like and it came up with some good answers. I've also tried \"what should I make for supper tonight\". This kind of convenience and fun makes me lower my guard.
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 9 Asking About MS: My better judgment would say that it is foolish to share medical information about myself with this kind of robot being controlled by who-knows-who. But curiosity got the better of me. I uploaded not the images, but the radiology report of an MRI and asked ChatGPT to summarize it. My neurologist had of course gone over the results with me, assuring me that the meds are working - the main question for our annual MS MRIs.The AI summary had a different angle. The main difference from my own doctor, was that AI wasn’t as concerned about me as a person, so in a way I got more interesting information. It explained how the count and location of lesions might affect me, which matched with my observations. AI was also more forthcoming about the degree of severity. I sometimes need that reminder, to take better care of myself.Doctor' Avoidance of the Word \"Progression\": I have long suspected that while our doctors know that we are slowly acquiring more physical problems over the years, they resist changing the diagnosis from Relapsing to Progressive for as long as they can, to retain access to more approved medications. It's even hard to have a frank discussion about how I’m \"really doing\" because once that word Progression is uttered, it changes the whole scene medically.ChatGPT had no such boundary and appeared to confirm my suspicion of a mild, progressing, later-stage MS scenario. Again, I think AI is programmed to agree with us. But the reassuringpart was that it \"told me\" my med would still be the best option by far for me at this stage, even though it lacks the proper labeling approval for it.No Blind Faith: I try to keep up with MS research, and can find my way around study results. I can confirm for myself that my med is a good one for my exact case, and of course I trust my doctor's wisdom and concern for me. A huge limitation of AI is that it doesn’t cite the sources for the information it gives you - it just writes out advice so smoothly and confidently that it sounds as if it must be right. There have been more and more news stories lately about AI getting things disastrously wrong, while appearing to sound authoritative and trustworthy.My experience with AI has been that it can be a fun tool, but also that it can sound so helpful and friendly that you can easily start to give it a lot of information about yourself. I still have reservations about letting my personal data out into cyberspace. Since my little MS AI experiment I have cut back a lot on using it. Each AI search uses about ten times more energy than a simple internet search, along with water usage for data center cooling, and CO2 emissions. Without wanting to sound too dramatic, I also worry about how AI is ushering in a new era and changing the way the world works.Bottom Line: Proceed with caution, understand the problems of AI, use it rarely enough to avoid getting dependent on it (that is a real problem for some people), and know that even though it sounds like a friend, it isn’t. But it's also OK - if you are comfortable - to ask it for some new insight into a condition and to come up with further questions to ask your real-life providerPlease consider adding PVA Tri-State Chapter to your will or trust
10 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026 MS Liaison NewsBy: Sue Holt ― MS Liaison MS and Holiday Stress Management:Preserving Health and Enjoyment. Managing holiday stress for those with MS involves careful planning and prioritization during the holiday season. Here are some strategies to help preserve health and enjoyment during the holdiay season:Prioritize Events: Assess which events are most important and prioritize them. If an event depletes your energy, it may be best to say no.Plan low key fun: Instead of high energy activities, consider low key family excursions, or home activities like a movie marathon or board game tournament.Recognize Limits: Be honest with yourself about your energy levels and recognize your limits. This can help you pace yourself and avoid overwhelming yourself.Seek Support:Consider reaching out to support groups or advocacy organizations for guidance and support this holiday by implementing these strategies, individuals with MS can enjoy the holiday season.Online Source: www.rediscoverms.comComing up in January National PVA will be holding their MS Town hall online. More information and details to come. Please check your email and/or call the office for registration information. You're invited to submit any questions you many have about MS. Call or email your questions two days before so we can review. I hope you can join us for the meeting.
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 11 We are also going to try something new before our Board of Director meetings: One hour before our BOD meeting start, at 9am, we will have a Membership Meeting. This is a great time to call or Zoom in and ask questions. This is your chance to get involved and connect with other members, and ask questions to the BOD. Our next BOD meetings will be January 29th and February 26th at 10am. After the 9am Membership Meeting you may stick around for the Board meeting. If you have any questions, please call our office at 503-362-7998. I hope to see you there! Here is the information for Zoom:Join Zoom Meeting:https://us02web.zoom.us/j/9908640202?pwd=T3F4bUF4U3REdE1sc2hyZDhXVWlOUT09Meeting ID: 990 864 0202Passcode: OPVA3700One tap mobile+16699006833,,9908640202#,,,,*34652193# US (San Jose)+12532158782,,9908640202#,,,,*34652193# US (Tacoma)Dial by your location+1 669 900 6833 US (San Jose)+1 253 215 8782 US (Tacoma)+1 346 248 7799 US (Houston)+1 929 205 6099 US (New York)+1 301 715 8592 US (Washington DC)+1 312 626 6799 US (Chicago)Meeting ID: 990 864 0202Passcode: 34652193Finally, we have had a member, Kirk Loftus, reach out to us with questions about playing video games with one hand. Since this could apply to MS patients, as well, so I did some digging. Kirk gave us permission to use his story, in the hopes someone else may have suggestions. We referred him to the University of Washington and their www.watap.org He has since reached out to them and will let us know the results. Until next issue.Notice to All Members:Starting January 29, 2026Join us for our MonthlyMembers MeetingsJoin us online from the comfort of your home Starting at 9 amJoin us online via Zoomor in person at the office. Please RSVPto join us in person
12 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026SAVE THE DATE:Deep SeaBottom FeederFishing Trips* May 19, 2026*June 17, 2026* Check in at 5:30am*
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 13 Recreation FundReimbursement(Voting Members Only)PVA Tri-State Chapter voting members are eligible to RECEIVE $300 each fiscal year through the Member Recreation Reimbursement Fund. It begins October 1st and runs through September 25th each year.Include Name, Address, Phone Number, your Legible Receipts (legible photo copy is ok) and a short description of what you did to have fun with your friends and family. We like pictures too (digital pictures are best), they may make it into the Paralog. Please note: drugs and alcohol will not be reimbursed.♦ Eating Out ♦ Movies ♦ Games ♦ Hobby Supplies ♦ Motel ♦ Sports♦ Event Tickets ♦ Guns ♦ Trips ♦ Vacation Expenses (lodging, food, gas etc) ♦ PVA Tri-State Events, etcAll receipts must be dated and used within this current fiscal year (10/1 - 9/30). Rec Funds NOT received in a timely matter will be denied.Mail or email to: PVA Tri-State Chapter, 600 N Water St, Silverton, OR 97381 - [email protected] Please be sure to include your address and phone number. Your request must be received in the office no later thanSeptember 25th. Earlier is better in case of any problems.Please contact the office at 503-362-7998 if you have any questions or require additional information about the Recreation Fund.
14 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026Get Paid to Have Fun!$300 Rec Fund ReimbursementThank you PVA Tri-State Chapter for the Recreation Fund. My wife and I spent the first week of November at the Depoe by Worldmark Resort during King Tides. We went out to eat at our favorite seafood restaurants, took a walk into Depoe Bay on a sunny afternoon,but mostly enjoyed watching the big waves splash on the rocks from our oceanfront condoOur grandson and his family (including our two great grandchildren) joined us for one day and we played, laughed, and just loved being together. I'm sure the kids slept well all the way back home.Thank you!Joe and Jan H.Hello,Thank you for this opportunity and your support of recreation. Please find attached the receipts from our recent trip to Bryce Canyon and Zion National Parks. It was our first vacation trip since having both my shoulders replaced. It was great to be back out and traveling. The parks were spectacular!Collin D.
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 15 Adventure is Calling Join Now! !!I have pursued the hobby of Bonsai (growing trees in miniatures) for the past 40 plus years and have about 100 trees in my collection, ranging from fully developed and refined , to just developing. It is a great year-round hobby, as there is something that needs to be done in every season of the year. I have written articles about the fun and challenge of this hobby for past editions for the \"Paralog\" and \"PN News.\" Due to health concerns, in person, hands on classes are no longer possible, but thanks to PVA Tri-State RecreationFund, I can still pursue my hobby and share my art with other Bonsai enthusiasts, all -be it remotely over the internet. I want to thank Board of Directors of PVA Tri-State Chapter for continuing to support the Membership Recreation Fund. Attached are a couple of photos of some of my trees.Keith W.Dear PVA Tri-State Chapter,I bought a truck so I will be able to go hunting.Thank you PVA for the Rec Fund!Kenneth T.
16 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026Guest Article by: Richard OttIntroducing the Code 4 ExpierenceWhen the Call Ends, the Story Begins: Introducing The Code 4 ExperienceSince 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America has stood shoulder-toshoulder with those who answered the nation’s call—men and women who traded comfort for duty, and in many cases paid for that service with life-altering injuries. However, we know that the official record only tells part of the story. The real story begins when the mission ends, the medevac lifts off, or the ambulance doors close.That’s exactly why I created The Code 4 Experience podcast.Hosted from the heart of service to the community, The Code 4 Experience is a platform built to share the unfiltered human stories of those who have served—military veterans, police officers, firefighters, medics, dispatchers, and every public servant who has ever run toward danger when others ran away.“Code 4” on the radio means the situation is under control- The emergency is over, but there is still work to do. But for the people who lived it, the experience is never truly over. The laughter, the loss, the brotherhood, the dark humor that keeps you sane, the long nights wondering “why me?”— those are the moments we bring to the microphone.Every episode is a long-form conversation—no script, no agenda, just people talking about what really happened after the lights and sirens stopped, after the deployment ended, after the VA
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 17 appointment was over. Some stories are heavy and some will make you laugh until you cry. All of them remind us why service matters and why the cost is never fully counted on a DD-214, a call sheet, or an incident report.To every PVA member reading this: your voice belongs on this podcast.Whether you served in Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan, or on the streets of your hometown; whether you came home walking or rolling; whether your proudest moment or your hardest day happened decades ago or last month—your story deserves to be heard. There are tons of people out there—another veteran, a civilian who’s never worn the uniform, a kid trying to figure out what service really means, a first responder who can’t get a good night’s sleep— they all need to hear exactly what you have to say. Your story can help, inform, support, and educate in ways you may not anticipate.We’re looking for veterans who are ready to sit down (or roll up) and talk about life before the injury, the day everything changed, and every chapter that has been written since. No topic is off limits. No rank or rating required. Just real talk from real people.If you are willing to share your Code 4 Experience, we’d be honored to have you as a guest. Reach out anytime: Email: [email protected] or Call/text: 503) 871-3337We’ll take care of the rest—professional level recording (in person or remote), and the chance to turn your story into something that can inspire, inform, and help others to understand the true price—and the true pride—of service.When the call ends, the story begins. Let’s tell yours. Thank you for your service—past, present, and future.
18 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026Robert Batson 1/3Tracy Carroll 1/3Robert Forson 1/4Larry Ricklefs 1/7Karen Abramowitz 1/8Thomas Shimon 1/8Karen Harbour 1/10Michael Hays 1/10John Haber 1/11Gary Wright 1/12Janice Crews 1/15Ali Jahanfard 1/15George McCart 1/15Courtney Folsom 1/16Michael Lugo 1/17Christopher Wilson 1/18Donald Wyatt 1/21John Phillips 1/25Merle Cutler 1/26Steve Kinney 1/27Kenneth Cornelius 1/28Kenneth Feldhaus 1/30Keith Nelson 2/4Gaetano Amico 2/5Kevin Arrington 2/5Susan Holt 2/5Kenneth Thompson 2/5Patricia Godwin 2/7Rudy Isaacs 2/8Michael Brewer 2/9Richard Elliott 2/9Cathy Roff 2/10Gerald Schroeder 2/10Nathan Paine 2/11Steven Lakin 2/13Charles Wilcox 2/14Christopher Hulse 2/15Kevin O'Reilly 2/18Tommy Stratemeyer 2/18Brenton Malcom 2/19Cole Mosteller 2/22Lee Presley C/O Matthews 2/23Margaret Walker 2/26Ronald Weisenberger 2/27
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22 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026By: Rick Wiley - Developement CooridinatorTri-State Chapter NewsHappy Holidays and Happy New Year from PVA Tri-State Chapter! On our calendar for the first three months are car shows We need some PVA members and volunteers at the Winter Rod and Speed Show January 16-17, 2026, in Albany; Salem Roadster Show Feb 27-28 at the Oregon State Fairgrounds; and Portland Roadster Show March 20-22 at the Portland Expo Center. Our Chapter participates in these events annually to promote awareness, hand out our flyers and promotional material, spreading the word about our car show and our Chapter. Our Show and Shine Car Show will be at the Oregon State fairgrounds on June 13. We are excited to host a National PVA Bowling Tournament on March 13-15 at Big Al’s Bowling Arcade in Beaverton, Oregon. We are looking for sponsors and volunteers to make this important event succesful. You can register online at: www.tristatepva.org or by caling the office 503-362-7998. We are also looking for volunteers to help out. Please give us a call to volunteer. We have a BIG event coming on April on the 18th. We are hosting th Capabilities EXPO, in honor of Dan Service, here at the office in Silverton OR. This event will be all about YOU that have SCI, MS, ALS and associated diseases. We want you to get the information you need …There will be a SCI/MS walk
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 23 around Silverton if you would like to participate. We would like you to join in and have some fun.On January 29, 2026, at 9am, there will be a Members Meeting one hour before the Board of Directors meeting. You can join us in-person at the office or from the comfort of your home via Zoom. Then at 10am, you can stay for our monthly BOD meeting or jump off. Please see page 11 for Zoom information. We would reallylike the members to join in to find out what is going on in your Chapter… there will be another Member Meeting for you to join.2025 was a great year, was it not?!?! Lets talk about last fall: In October we were invited to a craft fair. The word about Paralyzed Veterans and our Chapter went out at this fair, as it should, at all our events. Next was Flannel Fest at Silver Falls Brewery. Thank you Silver Falls Brewery and Alt NW radio for your support! We talked to a lot of people and now we have a beer that has PVA on the can. Donnie our President of the Chapter said it is a smooth beer. Now that was a fun event!Now Trunk or Treat was a blast with the kids coming in and playing games for their candy. Thank you to our local Safeway and Roths grocery stores for donating about 21 pounds of candy for this event! We loved seeing all the great costumes!November came with our Volunteer Luncheon. It was a fun way to say \"Thank You\" to our volunteers and show them our appreciation. We enjoyed lunch, played games, and some won prizes. Next was, the Albany Veterans Day parade. It was great! It was the largest parade I've ever been to. My granddaughter had a blast waving at all the people on the side of the streets. Last but not least, was Showbiz Holiday Market, at the Oregon State Fairgrounds. It was one of those events that went for two days. I was able to talk to lots of people about the Chapter and what we do to get the word out about Paralyzed Veterans of America. I can't wait to see you next year at one of our events!
24 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026CornerBy:Scarlett Brandt - Graphics DesignerHappy New Year! We are starting off the new year with a bang! Our first two Air Gun Competitions will be January 23rd and February 13th, at ARPC in Shedd. Please see the flyer on page 7 for more information. The Chapter Air Rifle program has been very popular. ARPC has a very nice indoor facility for our members, families and friends. I have reached out to the Lebanon Veterans Home and I'm hoping some of their residents will join us. The Chapter provides air rifles, all the pellets, and safety glasses; along with, snacks and refreshments. Also, included is the friendly competition and of course, lots of fun! Mark your calendars and come join us for the next competition on January 23.The next big sporting event will be in March. We are excited to host a national PVA Bowling Tournament in Beaverton at Big Al's. The bowling tournament is open to all abilities and FREE for PVA members.You can register online at our website; www.tristatepva.org or call our office at 503-362-7998.The Deep-Sea Fishing trips, out of Depoe Bay, have been scheduled for 2026. There will be two bottomfishing trips: May 19th and June 17th, check in at 5:30am. We will have two Salmon Fishing trips again this year. They are scheduled for Sept. 8th and 15th, check in at 6am. Just a reminder, you need to call the Chapter office and reserve your spot 10 days ahead for your seat on the boat. These trips are FREE for members and $75 for guests. They are a lot of fun and you don't want to miss out! Please call the office at 503-362-7998 to sign up.Speaking of Dockside Charters, would anyone be interested in Whale Watching? We would love
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 25 to plan a trip for our Members to go out on the ocean and connect with nature. Please call the office or email [email protected] and let us know you're interested. Thanks for your input!Another great event to watch for is our annual Fun Shoot Fundraiser. It will be held at the Albany Gun Club in June. We are still finalizing a date, so stay tuned. This event is open to the public. Last year, it rained but we are hoping for better weather this year. You don't have to be an experienced shooter to participate. Even first timers are welcome. Shooters will be placed in groups according to their experience. The Albany Trap Club always has friendly coaches on hand to help with any question and needs. We will also have raffles and a 50/50 drawing to help raise money for the Chapter. All proceeds from the Funshoot Fundraiser will stay with ourlocal Chapter.It's not too early to start thinking about next year's National Veterans Wheelchair Games in Detroit. It will be held July 9-14, 2026. This will be the 45th anniversary of the games. For more information visit www.wheelchairgames.orgThe Chapter is in need of a Sports Director and Coordinators for our various sports programs of interest. For anyone who may have an interest in a leading our sports program or coordinating a specific sport for our members, please give the office a call. We are here to help support you in any way we can.270 Coast Guard Dr.Depoe Bay, OR 97341 (541) 765-2545Save the Date:Deep Sea SalmonFishing Trips* Sept 8, 2026* Sept 15, 2026RSVP by August 28, 2026
26 | Paralog Jan/Feb 20261 2 34 5 6 7 8 9 1011 12 13 14 15 16 1718 19 20 21 22 23 2425 26 27 28 29 30 31January9am Members 10 am BODMeetings Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayTri-State ChapterNew Year'sDayMartin LutherKing Jr. DayOffice Closed
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 27 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday SaturdayFebruary Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday1 2 3 4 5 6 78 9 10 11 12 13 1415 16 17 18 19 20 2122 23 24 25 26 27 2828 29 30 31Tri-State Chapter Jan 16 - 17 Albany Winter Rod & Speed ShowJan 23 Air Gun Competition ARPCFeb 13 Air Gun Competition ARPCMar 13 - 15 PVA Bowling Tournament, Big Al's, Beaverton Mar 20 - 22 Portland Roadster ShowApril 18 Capabilities ExpoMay 15 50/50 Willamette SpeedwayJun 13 Show & Shine Car Show at Oregon State FairgroundsJuly 18 Gold Cup Golf Tournament McNary Golf Course, Keizer Save the DateHappyValentine’s DayOffice ClosedPresident'sDay9am Members 10 am BODMeetings
28 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026Nurse Next Door By: Devika Ram - Guest ArticleAt Nurse Next Door Salem, we believe that care is about possibility, not just medical necessity.We don't start with symptoms. We start with the question that is the foundation of our care model: \"What is the one thing you used to love doing that you no longer do?\" For members of the Paralyzed Veterans of America Tri-State Chapter, that answer is where your next chapter with us begins. The Happier Aging™ Promise. Happier Aging™ is our unique philosophy. It’s the belief that disability should not stop you from celebrating life and reconnecting with your passions.We see this promise come to life every day. In one of our partner locations, a paraplegic Veteran was going through a dark time, isolated by his condition. When the care team learned his true passion was cars and the freedom of the open road, they didn't just provide medical care. They went beyond. They rented his favorite convertible. With a skilled caregiver providing full clinical support for transfers and safety, they took him on a daylong road trip—top down, wind in his face, hitting all his old favorite spots. That is the Nurse Next Door Difference.You may be thinking: My medical needs are too complex for that kind of adventure. This is precisely
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 29 where Nurse Next Door Salem sets a new standard. We are licensed as both a Home Health Agency and an In-Home Care Agency, uniquely qualified to bridge the gap between complex medical care and living life to the fullest. We provide the clinical expertise required— managing spinal cord injury (SCI), catheter care, skin integrity, and complex transfersgiving you the confidence to leave the house. Our caregivers are your clinical safety net, making \"adventure\" possible again. Whether it’s a trip to the waterfalls at Silver Falls State Park, a visit to the Evergreen Aviation & Space Museum in McMinnville, or just grabbing coffee in South Portland, we match you with compassionate, skilled caregivers who share your interests and can competently support your specific medical needs.Serving the Veteran community is a deeply personal mission for us. My husband and business partner, David, is an Army veteran who served from 1971 to 1975. We understand the sacrifice you have made and believe you deserve care that is dignified, reliable, and exceptional. Caregiving is also in my DNA. I grew up on a farm in Fiji, where community was everything. By age 10, I was a live-in caregiver for a stroke survivor, and after losing my mother young, I raised my siblings. I didn't learn caregiving in a classroom; I lived it. Because of this, David and I operate with Nurse Next Door’s mission: To Make Lives Better. We treat you as our own brother, sister, mother, or father. We operate with the highest standards and hire caregivers we would trust with our own families. We also know that for many paralyzed veterans, the spouse often carries the heavy weight of being the primary caregiver. We are here to support that whole family unit. Whether that means providing respite care so the spouse can recharge, or taking over the clinical tasks so family members can return to being a partner rather than a nurse. We get it, and we are here for you. Your Happier Aging Journey Starts Here. We are proud to serve veterans across Salem, South Portland, McMinnville, and surrounding areas. We understand the complexities of veteran care. We can assist you in exploring resources like Aid & Attendance and work with you to structure a care plan that maximizes the support available to you. You served our country. Now, let us serve you. It’s time to get back to doing what you love.Image: Devika Ram, Owner of Nurse Next Door SalemFor more information on how Nurse Next Door Salem supports PVA Tri-State members: Contact Nurse Next Door Salem Phone: (971) 453-0126 or visit our website: nursenextdoor.com/salem-orParalyzed Veterans of America Tri-State Chapter Serving those who Served!
30 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026Recent news regarding legislation and regulatory actions affecting veterans and people with disabilities. Written and produced by the Paralyzed Veterans of America - Government Relations DepartmentWashington UpdateNovember 26, 2025 Volume 33, Number 21Check out the PVAction Force page to view legislative campaigns and a list of key legislation.BILL TO INCREASE SMC AND DIC INTRODUCED IN THE HOUSEOn November 17, Rep. Tom Barrett (R-MI) introduced H.R. 6047, the Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act, which would increase the amount of Special Monthly Compensation (SMC) for the most severely disabled veterans. It would also raise VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) rates for the surviving family members of deceased servicemembers and veterans. For years, PVA has advocated for increasing these benefits for veterans with the most significant service-connected disabilities and their survivors.SMC is arguably the most important ancillary benefit for veterans with severe, serviceconnected disabilities. The benefit is unique in that it is dependent on non-economic factors such as the profoundness of the disability, personal inconvenience, and social inadaptability. For example, a veteran who lost the use of their lower extremities in service to their country is compensated not just for the loss in their future earnings potential, but also all future hardships and costs associated with the disability.DIC is intended to protect against survivor impoverishment after the death of a servicedisabled veteran. In 2025, this compensation starts at $1,653.07 per month and increases if the surviving spouse has eligible children who are under age 18. The DIC program was established in 1993 and has been minimally adjusted since then. DIC payments were intended to provide veterans’ survivors with the means to maintain some semblance of economic stability after the loss of their loved one.The Sharri Briley and Eric Edmundson Veterans Benefits Expansion Act would increase the rates of SMC R1, R2, and T, which are reserved for the most seriously disabled veterans, and increase the DIC amount by one percent every year for five years in addition to the yearly cost-of-living adjustment. This would be the most significant increase in survivors’ benefits and SMC in years, and a major step toward addressing the needs of our nation’s seriously disabled veterans and their survivors.On December 3 at 10:15 am ET, PVA National Treasurer Tom Wheaton will testify before the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee in a legislative hearing that includes this bill. The hearing will be broadcast live. Also, please visit PVAction Force to send a message of support for this bill to your Representative.HOUSE HOLDS OVERSIGHT HEARING FOCUSED ON VA’S MDEOOn November 20, the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee, Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs held an oversight hearing titled,
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 31 “Improving Outcomes for Disabled Veterans: Oversight of VA’s Medical Disability Examination Office (MDEO).” The hearing was a single panel comprised of the Government Accountability Office (GAO) and the VA’s Executive Director of MDEO. PVA submitted a statement for the record.The Veterans Benefits Administration houses MDEO, which is tasked with overseeing contract examiners who provide compensation and pension (C&P) examinations. In 2024, GAO made several recommendations to improve the oversight mechanism within MDEO. PVA highlighted that report in a previous hearing focused on C&P exams that had accessibility barriers at facilities leased by contractors providing examinations. An additional report was released earlier this year focused on oversight, quality control issues, preventing errors during exams, and correcting errors while improving accountability.Over the past few years, GAO has reported breakdowns in procedures for correcting frequent or complex issues with contracted exams, incorrect financial incentive payments made to contractors, and gaps in feedback from examiners; all of which was highlighted in GAO’s written testimony to the committee.Subcommittee members pressed VA and GAO representatives for answers to what were seemingly simple questions, such as overall spending on contracts for C&P exams, error rates, improvements that MDEO plans to mplement, and how MDEO plans to improve their oversight obligation. However, VA provided very few answers to the subcommittee, often stating they would have to take a question for the record and follow up later. Subcommittee Chairman Morgan Luttrell (R-TX) closed the hearing out by informing VA that they would be invited back soon and expressing his hope that they would have more appropriate answers at the next hearing.You can watch the hearing here.PVA PARTICIPATES IN HOUSE QUARTERLY MEETINGPVA recently joined other veterans service organizations (VSOs) in a meeting with Rep. Mike Levin (D-CA). Last Congress, Rep. Levin was the ranking member on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee (HVAC), Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity (EO), but he moved to the House Committee on Appropriations where he is a member of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Subcommittee.While he was a member of HVAC, Rep. Levin set himself apart from other members by holding quarterly check-in meetings with VSOs who worked EO issues. Although he is no longer a member of HVAC, he continues to hold meetings with VSOs to get a sense of what the veteran community needs from his new assignment.PVA stressed the need for increased infrastructure funding across the VA, especially for projects related to care for veterans with spinal cord injuries and disorders. There was also discussion related to recent articles in The Washington Post, which have led to a Senate hearing and several roundtables in the House. PVA staff stressed the importance of maintaining the current veterans’ benefits system and safeguarding hard won benefits. He agreed that VA should continue to engage in robust oversight and offered his office as a resource.NEWS OF NOTEDOJ Opens Investigation into Florida Theme Parks for Banning Rollator WalkersThe U.S. Department of Justice announced at the end of November that they opened an investigation into United Parks & Resorts Inc. after receiving complaints that three theme parks banned rollator walkers. The DOJinvestigation will determine whether the three parks, including SeaWorld Orlando, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, and Aquatica Orlando, violated Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). The ADA requires public accommodations to permit individuals with mobility disabilities to use wheelchairs and manually powered mobility aids in any areas open to public use. Complaints filed alleged that the parks prohibited rollator walkers with seats. Furthermore, the complaints allege that the parks offer guests the option to rent alternative mobility aids for a surcharge. The DOJ investigation seeks to determine whether the
32 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026 Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaTri-State ChapterServing those who Served! Tri-State Chapterparks engaged in disability discrimination in violation of the ADA.VA Officials Warn of New Scam Targeting VeteransVA recently sounded the alarm about a new scam targeting veterans, surviving spouses, and family members who receive VA benefits. The scammers pretend to be VA representatives collecting an overpayment of VA benefits. They are using official looking letters, emails, and texts that often include fake VA logos and letterhead, making it extremely difficult to distinguish from genuine VA communications. If you receive a letter or any communication about a VA benefits overpayment, log into your official VA.gov account immediately to verify if you truly owe money. If you find you do owe money, VA’s Debt Management Center offers many repayment options. Also, be aware that VA will not call you about potentialoverpayments unless you initiated the inquiry first. You can learn more about the scam and ways to protect yourself here.SURVEYS & COMMITTEE ACTIVITIESREMINDER: Survey for Project Focused on Improving the Airport Journey of Wheelchair UsersInterVISTAS is currently collaborating with Indiana University – Bloomington (IUB) to collect information on the air travel experiences of people with disabilities. Funded by the National Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine, this project strives to identify ways to enhance the air travel experiences of individuals using wheelchairs. PVA is a member of the panel overseeing this project.How to Participate: 1. Register: Please first complete the screening survey. This will only take 5 minutes.2. Survey: Once registered, eligible participants (those aged 18 or older, living with a disability that requires the use of a wheelchair, and currently residing in the U.S.) will receive a link to the full online survey.Your Privacy Matters: Participation in the survey is entirely voluntary. All information you provide will be kept strictly confidential.Have Questions? Please contact the research team at:• Email: [email protected]• Phone: 812-855-9037The survey will close once researchers have reached the target number of completed responses.Veterans’ Committee ActivitiesPlease visit the House and Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee webpages for information on previous and upcoming hearings and markups.
Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 33 ’Affairs Committee in early September for her confirmation hearing. Ms. Brazell indicated she was withdrawing for personal reasons. It’s unclear how quickly a new nominee will be named. By law, department officials are required to establish a commission to consider candidates for the leadership post, a process that took about two months when it was initiated earlier this year.SENATE VOTES ON THE MAJOR RICHARD STAR ACTOn October 8, two attempts from Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee Ranking Member Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) to advance stalled bipartisan legislation to deliver more than 50,000 combat-injured veterans their full military benefits and financial certainty failed to pass. The Major Richard Star Act would ensure these veterans could receive their full Department of Defense retirement and VA disability payments, which currently has a dollar-for-dollar offset.Senate Armed Services Committee Chairman Roger Wicker (R-MS) blocked Senator Blumenthal’s motion to pass the legislation due to the cost of the bill and the lack of a means to pay for the estimated $10 billion price tag. With his attempt to pass the bill unanimously blocked, Senator Blumenthal then offered a compromise motion that would have set up a single roll call vote on the bill at a 60-vote threshold. The motion would have waived all procedural votes to protect floor time and given Republican Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) discretion to call up the vote at any point before the end of the year. Chairman Wicker also blocked this motion. The bill still can be brought to a vote in the House or the Senate, however, there is no indication that this will happen anytime soon.DOT ISSUES NOTICE OF ENFORCEMENT DISCRETION FOR RULE PROTECTING WHEELCHAIR AND SCOOTER USERS INAIR TRAVELThe U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) issued a notice of enforcement discretion stating that the department is delaying enforcement of certain provisions of the final rule, “Ensuring Safe Accommodations for Air Travelers with Disabilities Using Wheelchairs.” The rule, published in December 2024, expanded the rights of passengers who fly with wheelchairs and scooters. According to the notice, DOT will be delaying enforcement of four sections of the rule until December 2026. The four provisions include: (1) an airline’s liability for mishandled wheelchairs; (2) the frequency of refresher trainings for airline personnel and contractors; (3) passenger pre-departure notification requirements; and (4) reimbursements of fare differences when the passenger’s preferred flights cannot accommodate their wheelchair or scooter. The other provisions of the rule are still enforceable. In addition, DOT announced its intent to revise the requirements under these four provisions with a potential upcoming notice of proposed rulemaking late next summer.Airlines continue to have an obligation to repair or replace mishandled wheelchairs or scooters. If you are a wheelchair or scooter user and experience issues while flying, especially an airline damaging your mobility device or difficulties with aisle chair transfers, please contact Danica Gonzalves, PVA Senior Advocacy Attorney, at [email protected] REPORT ON THE ACCESSIBILITY OF MEDICAL FOSTER HOMES FOR VETERANSAccording to a recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) report, VA projects that demand for home-based care, including homebased long-term care, will increase 51 percent from fiscal year 2020 to 2038. One way that VA is increasing availability of home-based longterm care services is through the Medical Foster Home Program. In a medical foster home, a caregiver provides supervision and assistance in the caregivers’ home to eligible veterans in need of nursing home care. VA has been expanding this program since December 2021 with the goal of having at least one medical foster home aligned with each of VA’s 170 medical centers by 2026. As of May 2025, over 700 veterans were participating in the program.Provisions in the Joseph Maxwell Cleland and Robert Joseph Dole Memorial Veterans Benefits and Health Care Improvement Act of 2022, which passed as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2022 (P.L. 117-164), gave VA the authority to pay for eligible veterans’ costs for care in private medical foster homes for a five-year period.
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Jan/Feb 2026 Paralog | 35 Membership ApplicationAn individual is eligible for membership by meeting the following criteria: (1) is a citizen of the United States; (2) was regularly enlisted, inducted or commissioned for active duty service in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard of the United States, or our allies as evidenced by other-than-dishonorable character of service documented by a verifiable DD-214 or DD-215 (entry-level separation not acceptable); (3A) was separated from the service in the Armed Forces under conditions other than dishonorable; or (3B) is on active duty or must continue to serve after the cessation of hostilities; and (4) has suffered a spinal cord injury or disease (such as MS, ALS), whether or not service connected in origin. Membership is free. Complete and return application to the chapter of choice or by mail/email to: Paralyzed Veterans of America Membership Department, 801 Eighteenth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20006; (E) [email protected]. Providing the requested information is entirely voluntary but required for membership with Paralyzed Veterans of America. Chapter Name: First Name: Middle Initial: ____ Last Name:Date of Birth: ____ /____ / Social Security Number: ▢ Male ▢ FemaleRace/Ethnicity:▢ Asian/Pacific Islander ▢ African American/Descent ▢ Hispanic/Latino▢ Native American/Alaskan Native ▢ CaucasianAddress: City: State: Zip: Email:Home Phone: Cell Phone: VETERAN STATUS INFORMATIONPlease submit the following with application:• DD214 showing character of discharge.• Medical evidence ofspinal cord injury or involvement (medical records or physician’s statement).Proof of active duty status must be verified prior to membership approval.Have you been discharged under conditions that are less than honorable? ▢ Yes ▢ NoIf yes, please explain: ____________________________________________ Are you a United States citizen? ▢ Yes ▢ NoDo you have a spinal cord injury or disease? ▢ Yes ▢ No If disease, specify: ___________________________Is your spinal cord injury or spinal cord disease service connected? ▢ Yes ▢ NoIf Paralyzed Veterans of America is your accredited representative, do you permit PVA Service Officers to provide information to PVA National Membership Department relative to your membership eligibility? ▢ Yes ▢ NoI declare under penalty of perjury that the foregoing is true and correct, that I have read and meet the qualificationsand I understand that my membership could be denied or revoked if any information provided is inaccurate. Applicant Signature: Date: / / Witness Signature: Date: / / Oregon Paralyzed Veterans of America, 3700 Silverton Rd NE, Salem, OR 97305
36 | Paralog Jan/Feb 2026Non Profit OrgU.S. PostagePAIDSalem, ORPermit #779Paralyzed Veterans of AmericaTri-State Chapter600 N Water StSilverton, OR 97381Phone: 503-362-7998Online: www.tristatepva.orgEmail: [email protected] Oregon • Idaho • SW WashingtonJanuary/February 2026Address Service RequestedTri-State Chapterwww.OregonMobility.com We have factory trained and certified technicians with over 40 years www.OregonMobility.com We have factory trained and certified technicians with over 40 years combined experience ready to serve you.• New and used wheelchair vans• Veteran discounts and benefits available• We also install hand controls and lifts• WE COME TO YOU! We specialize in mobile servicing and sales • Family-owned and operated • We also service wheelchairs and scooters www.OregonMobility.com We have factory trained and technicians with over 40 ywww.OregonMobility.com We have factory trained and certified technicians with over 40 years combined experience ready to serve you.• New and used wheelchair vans• Veteran discounts and benefits available• We also install hand controls and lifts• WE COME TO YOU! We specialize in mobile servicing and sales •Family-owned and operated www.OregonMobility.com We have factory trained and certified technicians with over 40 years combined experience ready to serve you.• New and used wheelchair vans• Veteran discounts and benefits available• We also install hand controls and lifts• WE COME TO YOU! We specialize in mobile servicing and sales • Family-owned and operated • We also service wheelchairs and scooters