BLINDED VETERANS ASSOCIATION
Chartered by the United States Congress
FLORIDA REGIONAL GROUP
3801 Coco Grove Avenue
Miami, Florida 33133
BVA-FRG web
site: www.bvafrg.org
NEWSLETTER - October 2011
FRG President's
Message:Hello to all BVA
Members and Friends. I returned home
from the 66th National BVA convention in Las Vegas. I Flew out to Las
Vegas and road the Grey hound bus home.
It was an interesting trip. The Greyhound staff was very courteous and
helpful. There was someone to escort me between buses.
I was able to get a hot meal and to relieve my guide dog. I felt safe the whole trip and I had to
change busses 4 times. It took 3 days. I am proud to inform you that the Florida
regional group has done it again. Yes, I
was proud to accept the Golden gavel award on your behalf. This award is given to the regional group
that has the largest
numerical increase in membership for the year. The FRG gain 33 new members. Keep up the good work. It is all of us finding the blinded vets in
our community and signing them up and getting them the help that they need. The disable dive locker is a success. If any
of you want to learn the sport of scuba, I encourage you to contact Dan
Anderson at Phone number 850 261-1177. Paul
Kaufman took his open water test.
He completed his 4 dives and is now
certified as a rescue and A, B, C and Nitrox.
I should have my SCUBA certification for disable divers by the time this
is published. On September 14, I traveled
to Biloxi, Mississippi where I am one of the first 5 BV's attending the new VA Blind
rehab center. I am taking refresher training on my GPS
unit and will receive note taker training.
The District Informational Luncheons
are a great time to renew old friendships and to raise funds for the FRG Auxiliary raffle for their
Scholarship Program. Let’s try and
donate. The main reason for the luncheon
is to provide information to BV's about the services and benefits the BVA and
FRG have worked to secure for them. If
there is any problem
that you as a blinded veteran may be having or if there is
something that you want brought to the membership during the state convention,
this is the time to bring it to the forefront.
The Officers and District Directors of
the Regional Group welcome any and all suggestions. Let’s have a fun luncheon in Ft. Myers on
November 5. Darryl Goldsmith, FRG
President.
FRG Auxiliary President's Message: White Cane Safety Day has been celebrated
in the U.S. on Oct.
15 since 1964. The first proclamation was signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson within hours after Congress had
passed a joint resolution. The slogan this year is Growing Toward
Independence. In Fort Myers, the Vision Awareness Foundation,
Inc. is holding its 8th annual Walk-A-Thon on October 15. Along with the BVA, a number of other
organizations working with the blind benefit from the proceeds of the
Walk-A-Thon. For the past several years,
the BVA has
used the proceeds to provide transportation to the FRG State Convention in Daytona Beach. I am particularly excited about the
Walk-A-Thon this year since I will be performing with the Calendar Girls
dance team. We raise money for Paws for Patriots and help provide guide and
service dogs for veterans. White cane laws vary from state to state, but in all cases, the
white cane affords the user the right of way when crossing the road. Unfortunately, many drivers in Florida do not seem acquainted
with the White Cane Law. Through events like this Walk-A-Thon, we can
help to educate the general
public and protect blind and visually impaired people from
injury. As always, I welcome any
suggestions on how we may make our organization even more effective. Fran Thomas, FRG Auxiliary President (239)
283-1708 email PghFran9@aol.com
FRG Meeting Notice: The next meeting of the Florida Regional Group
will be held on Saturday, November 5th, at the Palms Restaurant at the Sabal
Springs Golf and Racket Club, 17540 Old Tamiami Trail, North Ft. Myers. The meeting will begin with a period of
socializing at 11:30 AM, followed by lunch at noon. For lunch, you may have Roast Beef, or Grilled Chicken with Ham and Swiss Cheese each with Garden
Salad, Red Bliss Potatoes, Vegetable, Rolls & Butter, Iced Tea, Coffee, or
soda and dessert. The cost of the
luncheon will be $5 per person, including tax and tip. Beer, wine, and mixed drinks will be
available for an additional charge.
FRG President Darryl Goldsmith will preside at the informational meeting
following lunch. A National Legislative
up-date will be presented.
Representatives from the Department of Veterans Affairs will be on hand
to provide information of interest to BV's and their families. FRG activities for the coming months will be
described. This is your opportunity to
make suggestions and recommendations regarding the FRG activities. Information about the FRG Auxiliary will be
presented, including the FRG Auxiliary Scholarship Program.
The restaurant has asked us to notify them as to the number who will
be attending and the type of luncheon desired by November 2nd. Please make your reservations prior to that
date by writing to Southwest district Director
Bob Walczak at 24263 Riverfront Drive, Port Charlotte, FL 33980 (941) 875-9876
email milwallyg@comcast.net; You may also call in Punta Gorda Terry King (941)
505-7747 email tnking18@earthlink.net; John Thomas, St. James City, at (239) 283-1708. In Naples, call Don McCarten at 239) 732-5399.
In Venice call Frank Drab at (941) 485-1019,
in Punta Gorda call Bill Stockslager at (941) 743-8364. The restaurant needs the reservation
information in order to prepare properly for our meeting.
To get to the Palms Restaurant, go North on I 75 to Exit 143, then Go West on
Bayshore (State Road 78) 6.3 miles to "Old" US 41. Turn right (North) 2.2 miles to the
"Shell Factory" and continue on US 41 another 1.3 miles to Sabal
Springs Golf and Racket Club (a total of 3.5 miles North of SR 78). Turn right or East and
continue about 3/4 mile past the guard house.
Tell the guard you are going to the BVA meeting at the Palms
Restaurant. Going
South on I 75, take Exit 158 and go West on Tucker's Grade a short distance to
US 41. Turn left (South) and go about 11 miles to the Del Prado
Extension, continue 0.5 miles past that traffic light. Sabal Springs will be on your left or East side of the highway.
Free Parking is available next to the restaurant. Check with your fellow Blinded veterans,
family members, and friends and make plans to join us on Saturday, November 5th in North Ft. Myers. We look forward to meeting you there.
Last year, a number of BV's made reservations but did not attend or cancel. Consequently the FRG had to pay $15 for each
reservation under our guarantee.
Although you only pay $5 for the lunch, the FRG subsidizes it with an
additional $10. If you make a
reservation and can't come, please cancel, so the FRG won't have to pay
the $15 for each reservation we guarantee.
If you can't come, please call and cancel it before November 2.
BVA National convention:
The BVA National Convention was held in Las Vegas, Nevada August
16-21. The September FRG Newsletter was
sent to the printer prior to the Convention so a report about Convention
activities was not included. Prior to
the start of the Convention, the Board of Directors met to finalize the Annual
Report to the Convention including a proposed budget for BVA fiscal year
2011-2012. The Board also withdrew two
of the 4 By-Law Amendments previously proposed by the Board. On Monday morning Operation Peer Support
(OPS) began at which a number of newly Blinded Veterans from Iraq and
Afghanistan participated. There were 10
US Blinded Veterans and 2 from the British Isles . The new BV', along with their family member
took part in a week long series of activities to assist in their return to
civilian life. In addition, several
previous OPS participant joined their fellow Blinded Veterans in the week long
OPS activities. one
of the previous OPs participants was also a Blinded Veteran from the British Isles. Beginning on Tuesday and running through
Thursday, 42 exhibitors displayed a variety of adaptive equipment and sensory
aids to those in attendance. The
Convention opened wit the President's Reception on Tuesday evening honoring out
going BVA President Dr. Roy Kekahuna.
The Opening Business session was held on Wednesday morning at which
Secretary of Veterans Affairs Eric Shinseki was our key note speaker. A letter was read from President Obama
congratulating the BVA on its 66 years of service to America's Blinded Veterans
and wishing us good luck in our Convention.
US Representatives Shelley Berkley and Joe Heck both from the Las Vegas area and US Senator Dean
Heller from Nevada welcomed us to Las Vegas and congratulated the BVA on its
service to our nations Blinded Veterans.
The membership accepted the BVA Annual Report and approved the 2011-2012
BVA Budget.
Informational Seminars were held on Wednesday Afternoon. Later that afternoon the By-Laws and
Resolutions Committee met. The Committee
review the two remaining By-Law Amendments regarding
increases in dues and recommended passage to the membership. The Committee also recommended, positively,
17 resolutions to the membership. Those
in attendance had Thursday off to enjoy activities in Las Vegas and its
surroundings. On Friday morning four
topics were presented to those in attendance. Dr. James Weiland described
advances in retinal research. Dr. Glenn Cockerham,
director of the Palo Alto VAMC Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) Program presented an update on TBI treatment
and functional blindness which can result from TBI. Gail Watson, Director of the Blind
Rehabilitation Service (BRS) in the VA Central Office reported on the status of
the BRS. Selva Pressman from the US
Treasury, Bureau of Engraving described various types of tactual currency. During the week, representatives from the
Bureau of Engraving had Blinded Veterans sample the various types of tactual
currency being considered. The Father
Thomas Carroll Memorial Luncheon was held at noon. Dr. Greg Goodrich, Director of the BRS
Research Unit at the Palo Alto VAMC was Guest Speaker. The Palo Alto Blind Rehab Center BRC has a bust
of Father carroll in the lobby and the BRC is named
after him. On Friday afternoon, the six
BVA Districts held caucuses. BV's from
the various Districts met in the caucuses to review the report from the By-Laws
and Resolutions Committee. In addition
the candidates for BVA National office were invited to speak to the various
caucuses. The final Business Meeting was
held on Saturday morning. The By-Laws
and Resolutions Committee
report was presented. The
membership voted unanimously to increase annual dues from $8 to $15 and life
dues from $40 to $50 for BV's age 66 and over, from $50 to $63 age 61-65, from
$60 to $75 age 55-60, $70 to $88 age 45-54, and $80 to $100 age 44 and under.
The life dues down payment will increase from$10 to $25. These increases will be effective January 1, 2012. The membership voted to pass all 17
resolutions. These resolutions will
appear on the BVA web site www.bva.org. The following Blinded Veterans were elected to lead
the BVA for the coming year: President -
Sam Huhm (Pennsylvania); Vice President - Mark Cornell (South Texas); Secretary
- Dale Stamper ( Idaho); and Treasurer Roy Young (Greater Houston). The Greater Houston Regional Group will host
the 2012 BVA Convention in Galveston, Texas.
Although several Regional Groups expressed interest in the 2013
Convention, there were no complete bids presented. Two informational seminars were held on
Saturday afternoon, one on Regional Group leadership and the other on
legislation. The annual Awards Banquet
was held on Saturday night. Dan Standage
from Arizona received the Major General Melvin J. Maas Vocational Achievement
Award for his personal Rehabilitation.
He is the Project Coordinator for the Disabled Veteran Reintegration and
Education Project at the University of
Arizona. In that capacity, he coordinates programs for
veterans at the university and does outreach in the community. The David Schnair Award was presented to Ron
Morales for his work as a Volunteer National Service Officer for the Southern
Arizona Regional Group in Tucson. . The Gold Gavel for the largest numerical
increase in membership was presented to the Florida Regional Group for the
third consecutive year. The Silver
Gavel, for the largest percentage increase was presented to the Cape Cod and
Island Regional Group. Tom Miller, who
will retire on December 31, 2011, spoke about his 25 years of service to
the BVA as Government Affairs Director and Executive Director. tom has served as
Executive Director longer than any of his predecessors. After the installation of BVA and BVA
Auxiliary Officers, President Kekahuna turned the gavel over to Sam Huhn. The Reverend Neftali Sanchez, who is retiring
after 32 years as BVA Chaplain, gave the benediction. Following Tali's
comments, President Huhn closed the 66th BVA National Convention.
US Legislative Up-Date: This
information has appeared in recent FRG Newsletters. However, we continue to receive calls from
BV's that they are still being charged co-payments for in or outpatient medical
service and pharmacy prescriptions. On
May 5, 2010, Congress passed PL 111-163 which included a provision sponsored by
the BVA and PVA to exempt catastrophically disabled veterans from co-payments
on regular in and out patient medical treatment and pharmacy prescriptions. You still owe co-payments on those services
provided before May 5, 2010. The VA
Central Office (VACO) Computer Unit was supposed to prepare a program to
accomplish this fix throughout the VA Health Care System. Unfortunately, although 18 months have passed
since the law was passed, the fix has not been passed
to all VA medical facilities. The VACO
Business Office has sent the information to VA Health Care facilities but there
are still some facilities that have not corrected their records. A veteran whose vision meets the legal description
of blindness is considered catastrophically disabled and thus exempt from those
co-payments. It is the responsibility of
the VIST Coordinator to insure that all Blinded Veterans on their VIST roles
are listed as catastrophically disabled.
If you are still receiving bills for co-payments, contact your VIST
Coordinator to insure that you are listed as catastrophically disabled. Do not ignore the bills but contact the
number on the bill to notify the Business Office that you are exempt. If you continue to have difficulties with
bills for co-payments, contact Terry King (941) 505-7747
email tnking18@earthlink.net
on the west side of Florida and George Stocking (305) 446-8008 email gstocking@bellsouth.net in east
Florida. The BVA continues to work for
all Blinded Veterans to improve their services and benefits.
Remember to make your reservations for the FRG Luncheon
meeting at the Palms Restaurant in North Ft. Myers on Saturday, November 5th. Please call Terry King or the others listed
above and make your reservation before November , 2nd. We look forward to meeting you there .
FRG-BVA Schedule of Meetings
November 5 FRG
Meeting Palms Restaurant in North Ft. Myers
December 3 FRG
Meeting in Seminole
January 7 FRG
Meeting Ocala Hilton Hotel
February 4 FRG
Meeting in Tampa
March 4 FRG Meeting in Ft.
Lauderdale
May 3-6 FRG
State Convention Plaza Ocean Club Hotel in Daytona
August 21-26 BVA
National Convention Galveston, Texas