Additional Resources for Disabled Veterans
While it’s never easy having a spinal cord injury, for veterans with spinal cord injuries the additional resources available certainly help. In addition to financial assistance for wheelchair ramps (see previous portal), there are several other organizations that help with all other types of needs, from helping you get the medical equipment necessary to live a full life (power wheelchairs) to helping you return to work.
We’ve identified the best places and organizations for veterans with disabilities, and those with spinal cord injuries notably. This is definitely a list you’ll want to keep handy. Feel free to print this page out or copy and paste the information below into your own Word document. Just remember, there are several great organizations available to help you succeed in life after a spinal cord injury.
Department of Veteran Affairs: Recieving funds from the VA for ramps, stair lifts in your home and other necessary equipment can be a lengthy process, but funds the can be obtained through referrals from your medical team.
Wounded Warrior Project: This nonprofit helps disabled veterans in all areas of life, especially providing outdoor adventures like skydiving and mono-skiing. And the programs they offer change often. They offer an “Independence Program” to help pay for caregivers, as well as other needs to help you become independent. They also offer a “Long-Term Support Trust” too that makes sure no disabled veteran ends up institutionalized. To learn more about the Wounded Warrior Project, visit their site http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs.aspx
The Fallen Patriot Fund: An offshoot of the Mark Cuban Foundation, this organization gives money to those who have been severely injured in Operation Iraqi Freedom and can no longer work. To learn more about The Fallen Patriot Fund, visit their site here http://www.fallenpatriotfund.org/
Military & Veterans Program (MVP): A program offered by The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation, the Military & Veterans Program is a huge resource for paralyzed veterans from how to secure financial assistance to peer support from other injured veterans. They also offer grants for nonprofits that help veterans with SCI. If you’re looking for information on anything related to being a veteran and having a spinal cord injury, this is a go-to site. Learn more about the Military & Veterans Program here http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.6605235/k.3533/Military_and_Veterans_Program.htm
Semper Fi Fund: If you are a Marine with a disability, the Semper Fi Fund offers a huge variety of programs to help the transition into your new life. They offer assistance with adapted vehicles, education and career transition, adapted sports equipment, the technology to help you become independent in your home and much more. Learn about all of Semper Fi’s programs here http://semperfifund.org/assistance/
Paralyzed Veterans Association: Another well-known organization for help veterans with spinal cord injuries, the Paralyzed Veterans Association (PVA) offers all kinds of resources for veterans with spinal cord injuries. They offer on-site medical Care, employment assistance and much more. Learn everything they offer here http://www.pva.org/site/c.ajIRK9NJLcJ2E/b.6349689/k.2881/What_We_Do.htm
Need more resource assistance? Please watch the following video, and make sure to look over our Takeaway Points and Resource List below.
Video: 2015 NVWG: Medical Services
Takeaway Points
- The Wounded Warrior Project offers a huge variety of programs, especially accessible outdoor adventures
- The Christopher & Dana Reeve Foundation offers the Military & Veterans Program, which is a huge resource list for paralyzed veterans
- Paralyzed Marines definitely need to check-out the Semper Fi Fund, which helps with everything from vehicles to sports equipment
Helpful Resources
- 24 VA SCI Centers in the US (visit link for complete state list) http://www.military.com/benefits/veterans-health-care/veterans-with-spinal-cord-injury-disorders.html
- Military & Veterans Program (MVP) from the Reeve Foundation http://www.christopherreeve.org/site/c.mtKZKgMWKwG/b.6605235/k.3533/Military_and_Veterans_Program.htm
- Wounded Warrior Independence Program http://www.woundedwarriorproject.org/programs/independence-program.aspx
- The Fallen Patriot Fund of The Mark Cuban Foundation http://www.fallenpatriotfund.org/
- VetsFirst http://www.vetsfirst.org/
- Veteran Hiring Preference (great news for employment-seekers) https://www.fedshirevets.gov/job/vetpref/
- Veteran Tax Credits http://www.thesimpledollar.com/tax-guide-for-veterans/
- VA grants for adapted vehicles https://www.caring.com/articles/adapted-vehicles-for-vets
- Veteran tuition assistance https://www.petersons.com/college-search/tuition-assistance-scholarships-veterans.aspx
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