This past year, I have attended meetings with local area organizations like the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Citizens with Disabilities (MACCD), Memphis Area Transit Authority’s (MATA’s) STAC (Specialized Transportation Advisory Committee) it’s ADA compliance committee, Barrier Free Memphis, The Coalition of Accessible Transportation, the Memphis Long Range Transportation Plan Advisory Committee, and Tennessee Disability Coalition, on which I serve as Vice Chair. The focus of these organizations is to bring to attention local legislative and accessibility issues in our areas, and work together to resolve them.

I addressed accessibility issues for members like; the Memphis Area Transit Authority plans to redesign the lifts on the main street trolley line. Purpose of the project is to modify Trolley Stations on the Main Street Line with a better system to board passengers with disabilities that would mean a faster, more flexible, more efficient for the passengers and for MATA. 

The chapter co-sponsored, along with other area disability organizations, the 19^th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act on July 26, 2009 at City Hall. We had a great turn out and had speakers from local organizations and from the Mayor’s office.

I met with Gary Vanasek, a local attorney for the Dept. of Justice, regarding the FedEx Forum’s ticketing and operational policies. Several of our members have had a hard time getting accessible seats for events held at the FedEx Forum because they are told the accessible seats are sold out, but in fact, most of those seats are unoccupied. In addition, there are problems for people in wheelchairs getting to and from their seats. A locked door and a locked elevator or lift, depending on what section your seat is in, blocks egress getting to and from wheelchair seating. Since, then Mr. Vanasek has gotten approval from DOJ to investigate the FedEx Forum. The chapter is working with him to resolve these issues.

On Oct. 23, 2009, we hosted our very first, and I hope this will be an annual event, Chapter Leg. /Adv. Training and we had 27 in attendance. Carl Blake, Lee Page, and Mark Daley, spoke on current legislation and effective communication. The National folks were most impressed by how engaged our members were and that our members asked good questions, and were up to date on current issues. Mark Daley invited Bennie Wansley to help him demonstrate the advantages of using the “Message Box” as a tool for getting your point across. Bennie did a great job. Ms. LaBarbara Houston, Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) answered questions about MATA’s paratransit service. Antonio Adams, ADA Coordinator for the city of Memphis, came and talked about how the city is working to become more accessible.

In February of 2009, myself and chapter members attended Tennessee’s Disability Day on the Hill in Nashville; we met with state representatives and talked about local issues such as public transportation for people with disabilities and how the paratransit service needs to be improved. If you have any concerns with issues of accessibility in your area please feel free to give me a call at 901-527-3018 or email me at sharon.mount@midsouth-pva.org.

It has been a very busy year for all. I have been making my rounds on both Wards (1 East & 1 West) on TUESDAYS and THURSDAYS visiting our patients and nursing staff. Talking to our patient on their goals and how we can help them complete their goals. I make weekly inspections of the rooms and hallways. I enjoy working with each case manager.1 East -Bonnie Crocker, 1 West- Tina Matlow-Smith and having our monthly meeting with our Chief Physicians (Dr. Probakan Nambiar). Our meetings are to address any problems, new changes to be implemented, and to continue the best care for our SCI Veterans.

In April the SCI Unit had their annual site visit from the National PVA Site Visit Team, Gary McDermott, Lana McKenzie, Christie Shethard, Dr. Kenneth Parsons, Truman Suttle our members President Terrance Green, NSO Barbara Redwine, and myself. The main goal is to ensure that quality medical care is provided to veterans with a spinal cord injury /disease in a timely and appropriate manner. To inform Spokes and Clinics of any changes to a policy our procedure.

I attended the Coalition meetings in Little Rock. There is a great deal of information put out on what is happening in Arkansas. What and how our Governor, Senators, and Congressman fill about our health care, our benefits, and they want to know how we feel. This year’s calendar for dates and time of the meetings are in the making as we do have a new President Mike Ross, Which I am looking forward to meeting.

I have a bi-monthly meeting with the Hospital Director and team and the case manager Mike Riddle, NSO Clyde Reed, and myself. These meeting are held at North Little Rock Fort Roots. We address any problems, any changers to any policies and procedures, and what is coming up.

I meet with the Spokes/Clinics from Searcy, Jonesboro, and Paragould; we (the Mid-South Chapter) are working hard to get different committees up to cover our areas this is where I need your Help in order to keep us going. Have a meeting close to home. We cover Arkansas, Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee. It only takes a little time to make a big difference.

MY main goal is to make sure you, the veteran is being cared for and getting the necessary help you need to better your life.

CONTINUED ON  “OFFICERS REPORT 2”

The Mid-South Chapter sports and recreation program for the past year definite was a success. We were able to continue many of our annually sponsored programs and introduce a couple of new ones. We are still not reaching as many of our members outside the Memphis area as we would like to.

Besides the usual muting and fishing opportunities we offered in the past, efforts have been made increase other opportunities and recreational experiences. We will continue to make attempts to expand member participation in the sports and recreation program. This year we had 12 members participate in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games in beautiful Spokane, Washington, overall, the chapter was well represented and participants came home with 25 metals. Again this year we were able to offer Memphis Grizzlies tickets to members. This year, one of our most popular programs and the tickets are going fast. Other areas of sports events were the Golden Age Games (ages 65 and over).

June 1-5, 2009 the magnitude of such events is overwhelming but BVAMC in Birmingham, Alabama rose to the challenge. Over 600 athletes (largest number of participants ever at the games) had a great time. The event was praised as a success by all involved.

Looking forward to next year also other areas of sports and recreation opportunities that the chapter was able to offer this year included a 9-Ball Pool Tournament, bowling, trapshooting, and etc.

This chapter hopes to expand the number of opportunities for sports and recreation throughout the geographic area we represent and increase opportunities for more members’ participation. If you have ideas or would be willing to coordinate an event in your area, or would like to received assistance in participation in a sports or recreation event, please be sure to contact the sports program manager at the chapter office. We are here to try and help you be as healthy, active, and involved as you want to be.