Advocating for Veterans on Capitol Hill
In June, our New England Chapter was proud to represent our members at the 2026 PVA Advocacy and Legislation Seminar in Washington, D.C. Joining me were our President and National Director, Brad Carlson, Treasurer Ericka Haddad, and Kathy Carlson as we met with members of the New England congressional delegation to advocate for the needs of veterans living with spinal cord injury and disease.
Throughout the week, we held many productive meetings with lawmakers and their staff, including memorable conversations with Senator Maggie Hassan (NH) and Representative Maggie Goodlander (NH). These meetings provided an opportunity to share the real-world experiences of our members and discuss the policies that have a direct impact on their health, independence, and quality of life.
Among the issues we advocated for were protecting and strengthening the VA’s nationally recognized spinal cord injury and disorder (SCI/D) system of care, improving caregiver support and bowel and bladder care services, increasing financial support for catastrophically disabled veterans and their survivors, expanding benefits for families of veterans with ALS, and improving accessibility and protections for travelers with disabilities. These priorities are about ensuring that veterans with catastrophic disabilities receive the care, resources, and respect they have earned through their service.
A special congratulations goes to Ericka Haddad, who participated in the Advocacy and Legislation Seminar for the first time as a representative of our Chapter. Ericka did an outstanding job engaging with congressional offices, sharing her personal experiences, and helping communicate the importance of protecting and strengthening programs that veterans with spinal cord injuries rely on every day. Her preparation, professionalism, and passion for advocacy made an immediate impact, and we are grateful for the perspective she brought to our delegation.
Advocacy is one of the core pillars of Paralyzed Veterans of America. While adaptive sports and Chapter programs are often the most visible parts of our mission, meaningful change also happens in the halls of Congress. Every conversation with a senator, representative, or congressional staff member helps educate policymakers and ensures that the voices of veterans with spinal cord injury and disease continue to be heard.
We are grateful to everyone who welcomed us to Capitol Hill and took the time to listen. We will continue working to protect the benefits, health care, and opportunities our members have earned through their service to our nation.
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