My Nonprofit Reviews

PVA-WISCONSIN, has literally saved my life. Many years ago, I was introduced to the PVA and what they did for Veterans with spinal cord injuries to get involved with adaptive sports.
I had tried several times to commit suicide in the past and was in a very dark place in my life. I had forgotten about my will to live. Then, my Physical Therapist at the Tomah VAMC introduced me to adaptive sports and the National Veterans Wheelchair Games which the PVA co-sponsors with the VA. So, I decided that I would attend just to shut my Therapist up.
I drove to my first Wheelchair Games with my Son, which was almost 10 years old at the time. I was thinking that if I didn't like it, I could just leave when I wanted. We'll, when we arrived, it took me almost 2 hours of me sitting in my truck, working through all my emotions before I went in.
Once I went in, my life changed instantly. Just the atmosphere of the venue was inviting and calming, even though there was several hundred Veterans in wheelchairs and Volunteers going and coming in all directions. It was a controlled chaos kind of. However, everyone was welcoming and friendly and everyone was being so helpful but not in a "I'm helping you because you're disabled," but because they truly cared about me and my Son. Then, once the competitions started, it was even better than I had ever imagined. Even though I had never met anyone there, or ever competed in several of the sports, it didn't matter. I was welcomed with open arms and heart's.
I was then introduced to my fellow Wisconsin PVA Veterans and Volunteers. The welcoming I was given was as if I had known them for years. I was then informed of all the things that the Wisconsin PVA Chapter was going to do for me, such as, help with the expense of attending Adaptive Sports competitions, keeping me informed of all types of adaptive sports programs throughout the United States, and help with the filing disability claims with the VA just to name a few.
Once the competitions were over and my Son and I was driving back to Wisconsin, my Son told me that he was really happy that I had decided to go to the competition. I asked him "why?" Then, with his answer, is what made me put it all in perspective. He told me, "he was happy that I had attend the competitions and hoped I would continue to be involved with the PVA because he had gotten his Dad back!" With those short few words, it changed my life and gave it meaning again. It gave me a purpose and something to strive for.
So, I want to say "Thank You" to ALL of those who help make the Wisconsin PVA what it is and what it has done to not only change my life but, to have literally SAVED my life!