Operation Peer Support
BVA 63rd National Convention
August 12-16, 2008
Phoenix, Arizona
BVA is the only Congressionally chartered veterans service organization exclusively dedicated to serving the needs of our nation’s blinded veterans and their families. The organization will soon celebrate 63 years of service and will further commemorate this history at its 62nd National Convention August 12-16, 2008 at the Hyatt Regency Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona.
A special program entitled Operation Peer Support will, for the third consecutive year, highlight the convention’s preparations and activities. The program’s beneficiaries are men and women from Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) who have been blinded in combat. Some 16 percent of all wounded service personnel have some type of severe eye injury.
BVA requests the donation of funds in order to bring as many Soldiers and Marines, along with one family member, to the convention. The honored attendees will function as special guests with opportunities to listen to the experiences of their counterparts from World War II, Korea, Vietnam, and Operation Desert Storm. They will also learn more about BVA’s efforts to support veterans with blindness and low vision. Other resources at the convention include information about readjustment training, recent medical and rehabilitation research, veterans benefits, treatment methods, employment training, and new adaptive technology for the blind.
OIF serviceman Dustin Howell (center) with World War II veteran Jack Shapiro (left) and BVA Past National President Neil Appleby at 61st National Convention August 19, 2006 in Buffalo, New York.
 |
BVA and the Department of Veterans Affairs have pioneered and refined the rehabilitation process for more than 60 years, thus providing America’s blinded veterans with opportunities to successfully acquire the essential functional skills necessary to be happy and successful.
Make A Donation to Operation Peer Support
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Operation Peer Support?
A:An ongoing effort to link recently blinded veterans with their counterpart from previous conflicts. Operation Peer Support’s highest priority at present is the arranging of trips for Army and Marine veterans, blinded in combat in Iraq or Afghanistan, to the 63rd National Convention of the Blinded Veterans Association August 12-16, 2008, in Phoenix. The program is in harmony with the organization’s motto, “Blinded Veterans Helping Blinded Veterans,” and its ideal to serve as an advocate for all blinded veterans.
Q: What is the benefit to the newly blinded veterans?
A:Physical and emotional isolation is a huge issue for those who have only recently lost their eyesight. The process of recovery from any tragic or traumatic event is characterized by a period of grieving followed by rehabilitation and restoration. Substantial changes are required as a result of such shattering events before a meaningful and productive new life can be achieved. Similar to the grief experienced by people following any catastrophic event, blinded veterans must also grieve over their loss of vision. Veterans attending the BVA convention will be able to meet with other OEF and OIF veterans who are among the few who understand what they are truly going through. They will also be able to meet veterans blinded in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. They will hear and gain strength from their experiences.
Q: How many troops have been blinded in the Global War on Terror?
A:Exact numbers are hard to come by, but more than 400 Soldiers and Marines have suffered serious eye injuries and at least 50 are legally blind.
Q: How can groups and individuals in America help send a blinded OEF or OIF veteran to the BVA 61st National Convention?
A:Tax-deductible donations can be made directly to the Blinded Veterans Association by mail or over the phone by credit card. BVA can be reached at 800-669-7079. Help these brave American service members and family members get the support they need from fellow blinded veterans. The organization is a 501(c)(3) with ID #53-0214281.
|
