New Resources Available to Assist Hispanic Veterans and Their Families

Posted on: May 27th, 2008
Filed Under: [ Health ] [ Press Releases ]
Tags: family, parents, Puerto Rican, radio, Spanish-language, television
Knowledge is Power!

Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) this month will unveil a nationwide Spanish-language educational campaign to reach Spanish-speaking veterans, family members and caregivers of veterans who have experienced spinal cord injury. This initiative is spurred by the importance of providing information to family members so they can understand the benefits and services that are available to paralyzed veterans. The Spanish-language public service announcement (PSA) is a first for the veterans service organization.

In addition to providing information on the veterans group’s programs and services, the PSA explains how its trained national service officers help an injured veteran and family file for the benefits to which they are entitled. The PSA also informs the Hispanic community that Paralyzed Veterans is not a government entity and that these services are free. This PSA will be distributed to 80 Hispanic television and 315 Hispanic radio stations nationwide.

Paralyzed Veterans has also created two additional Spanish-language resources: a toll-free telephone line, (888) 858-5562, managed by Spanish-speaking representatives, and a new Spanish-language link found under “Español” on its website, www.pva.org, which features a wide range of information in Spanish.

The PSA, “Helping Hispanic Veterans and Families,” conveys the story of Roberto Cruz, a 26-year-old Puerto Rican native who was shot by a sniper while serving in the U.S. Army during a tour in Iraq, leaving him paralyzed. Cruz will now require specialized medical care and benefits for the rest of his life. In this PSA, viewers learn about the struggles and challenges that Cruz and his parents have faced following his injury, particularly in obtaining his military benefits. His family expresses their gratitude for the help Paralyzed Veterans of America provided them.

Founded in 1946, Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans) is the only congressionally chartered veterans service organization dedicated solely for the benefit and representation of individuals with spinal cord injury or disease. For 62 years, Paralyzed Veterans and our 34 chapters have been working to create an America where all veterans, people with disabilities, and their families have everything they need to thrive. We represent more than 19,000 veterans in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Please go to www.pva.org for more about the work we do.”*