This month I had the honor of traveling to Austin, Texas, alongside our Chapter President and National Director Brad Carlson and his wife and Chapter volunteer Kathy Carlson, to represent our New England Chapter at the 79th Annual PVA Convention. It was a powerful gathering of veterans, leaders, and advocates from across the country, and we were deeply humbled to return home with one of the highest honors a Chapter can receive: the Stanley D. Brown Most Improved Chapter Award.
Accepting this award on behalf of our Chapter was a moment of pride – and a moment of reflection on how far we have come in the last several years. Over the past year, our team has worked with determination and heart to expand our impact, deepen our membership engagement, and advocate fiercely for the needs of paralyzed veterans throughout the New England region. This award recognizes those efforts, and it belongs to everyone who has played a role in our success – our dedicated staff, Board, volunteers, partners, and most importantly, our members.
…our team has worked with determination and heart to expand our impact, deepen our membership engagement, and advocate fiercely for the needs of paralyzed veterans throughout the New England region.
Under Brad Carlson’s leadership as President, and with the support of our entire Board of Directors, we have seen a revitalization of our programs and services – from adaptive sports and peer mentoring to advocacy and hospital outreach. Perhaps most notably, we had the strongest fundraising year of any PVA Chapter in the country – a testament to the generosity of our supporters and the trust they place in our mission. These funds are being invested directly into the programs that improve quality of life and restore independence for our members.
The Stanley D. Brown Award is not the end of the road for us – it is a milestone on our continued journey. It tells us we are on the right path. But we know the work is never done. Veterans living with spinal cord injuries and disorders in New England still face systemic barriers to access, care, and community. At the New England PVA, we are more committed than ever to breaking those barriers down. As we look ahead, we do so with renewed energy, gratitude, and purpose. This prestigious recognition from our National organization encourages and motivates us to continue this critical work and doing it with joy, fun, collaboration, and friendship.
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