OUR MISSION, HISTORY, & PURPOSE
To improve the quality of life for Veterans of the United States Armed Forced and their family; for those that have a spinal cord injury or dysfunction, while advocating for civil and disability rights for all.
PVA was founded by a band of service members who came home from World War II with spinal cord injuries. These wounded heroes made a decision not just to live, but to live with dignity as contributors to society. Since 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America has been on a mission to change lives and build brighter futures for our seriously injured heroes. We’ve had a single-minded mission—to empower our brave men and women to regain what they fought for: their freedom and independence.
(a) To aid and assist in every way veterans of the Armed Forces of the United States who have suffered injuries or diseases of the spinal cord.
(b) To publicize the needs of such veterans through every means and channel available in order to effectuate the fulfillment of such needs as far as possible.
(c) To promote the full participation of veterans with spinal cord injury or disease in society by carrying out educational programs and by acquainting the public with their needs and problems and by aiding and assisting such constituent associations which may be organized for the same purposes.
(d) To advocate and foster thorough and continuing medical research in the fields connected with injuries and diseases of the spinal cord, including research in neurosurgery, genitourinary, orthopedics, and prosthetic appliances.
(e) To advocate and foster a comprehensive and effective rehabilitation program for its members, as well as non-members, to include a thorough physical rehabilitation; physiotherapy; active sports programs; academic, vocational and educational counseling; psychological counseling and indicated occupational therapy.
(f) To cooperate with other corporations and groups engaged in similar activities with a view toward carrying out the purposes described herein above in the most effective manner.