Photo by Elizabeth Farina
Veterans Raymond Kenney, Jr., left, Chuck Willis, and Charlie Hayden are looking forward to the Virginia Mid-Atlantic Chapter Paralyzed Veterans of America chapter’s first benefit bike run this Sunday, Sept. 14. Motorcyclists will leave promptly at 10:30 a.m. from McGuire VA Medical Center to travel to the Amelia Veterans’ Cemetery via Hull Street Road (Route 360)..

Goochland veteran helps plan inaugural bike run
BY ELIZABETH FARINA


Sep 11, 2008

The bike run will benefit veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders.

Joyce Webb envisions Midlothian neighbors and surrounding area residents waving American flags and showing their support of the troops during the inaugural bike run of the Virginia Mid-Atlantic Chapter of Paralyzed Veterans of America and the South Richmond HOG Club on Sunday, Sept. 14. The bike run will benefit veterans with spinal cord injuries or disorders.

Robert Crouch, Assistant to the Governor for Commonwealth Preparedness, with a police escort, will lead motorcyclists and veterans on the ride out from McGuire Veteran Medical Center to Amelia County Veterans Cemetery via Hull Street Road.

“As a citizen, I honor the service of our veterans and the sacrifice of our paralyzed veterans. It’s an honor to participate in this activity as an American,” said Crouch, who serves as vice-chair with Virginia Military Advisory Council and immediate past chair of the Governor’s Motorcycle Advisory Council.

Crouch, a HOG member of another chapter and Harley-Davidson motorcycle owner, said, “As a motorcyclist, I’m very supportive of this. Yet, the primary one, as an American, it’s an opportunity to recognize Paralyzed Veterans of America and the great work they do with McGuire Medical Center and other institutions and to show appreciation of those who have served our nation.”

For Webb, the bike run served to bring awareness to the veterans. “I want to bring the focus back to the men that have given so much to our country who are dealing with multiple issues until they die,” he said.

Webb, who works at the Spinal Cord Injury Unit at McGuire Veteran Medical Center, had mentioned the idea of a veterans’ appreciation bike run to friends who owned motorcycles in June. She approached veteran and local chapter president Chuck Willis about the bike ride as a fundraiser.

“It was something we were flirting with to get awareness for the chapter,” Willis said. “I personally would like to see people with flags and see youth out there, that’s our future.”

“Any bikes are welcome as long as it’s not pedaling. We’ll catch them on the next one,” said Raymond Kenney, Jr., National Director with the local chapter. 

Although the Virginia Mid-Atlantic chapter is one of the original six established in 1947 through a Congressional charter, Paralyzed Veterans of America does not receive federal funding at a local or national level. The non-profit is funded locally through private and corporate donations and grants from the national headquarters located in Washington, D.C., as well as fundraisers such as the bike run. 

The active chapter advocates for veterans with SCI or those diagnosed with diseases such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or multiple sclerosis. According to the national chapter, there are an estimated 100,000 veterans with spinal cord injury or disease. The local chapter represents five states with over 900 members. 

Its focus is on quality of care for paralyzed veterans. The chapter also provides a supportive network including recreational and sport activities and informational resources with a professional staff.  Kenney, Jr. encourages member and volunteer involvement. “All some [patients] do is sit at home. We want to get them out of the house. Life is too short,” the retired Marine said.

Purple Heart recipient Charlie Hayden, who is also vice-president of the chapter, is on the chapter’s sports committee.

“We are doing things some haven’t done for years; getting up at 3 a.m. to go fishing or hunting. Some are trap shooting. There are new guys that didn’t know people in wheelchairs can do these things,” said the Goochland resident.

Hayden, who sustained spinal cord injuries serving as a paratrooper in June 1966 in Vietnam, encourages independence. “As a Vietnam vet who has been injured for 42 years, I’ve learned a lot. You can do anything you put your mind to,” the avid bass and saltwater fisherman said.

Willis agreed that even though the chapter’s primary purpose is veteran care, it is also getting veterans involved in activities.

“We are going fishing on the James River Bridge Pier on Tuesday,” Willis said.

In fact, the chapter has tackled the limited access fishing poses for the disabled vets. Willis noted that one Vietnam veteran, a quadriplegic, was only into painting until he found fishing. The veteran uses an electric reel during annual trips with his wife to the Gulf Coast.  “With independence, we move back into the community,” Willis said.     

Besides outdoor recreation, sports are supported with the chapter’s general funds. The chapter supports similar year-round sports that were recently played at the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. The wheelchair games were first established in Richmond in 1981 with over 70 athletes participating, according to the national PVA chapter.  From basketball to quad rugby, over 520 veterans with disabilities participated in the 28th annual event held this year in Omaha, NE.  “It takes a lot of determination,” Kenney said.

And it’s their determination that moves them forward in dispelling myths surrounding the paralyzed vets. “So many private citizens see a guy in a wheelchair and think that as a veteran they have it made,” Willis said.

Willis was injured in a car crash in 1965.

“We are lucky enough to receive advance treatment. A small percentage receives a service connected pension and get by as best they can. There are a lot of guys in SCI that are almost street people,” he added.

The chapter, Willis added, reaches out to homeless disabled veterans in helping “get these guys out and re-enter into society and participate in life again.”

For Hayden, one of the most asked questions he hears as a veteran in a wheelchair is if the government takes care of him.

“The government can do more, but God has been good to me,” he said. Over the decades, Hayden has focused on his independence in a wheelchair. It is his strength in faith and family that motivates the basketball player and marathon participant.

Kenney agreed that members may be in a wheelchair, and maybe paralyzed, but members need to get out in life.  “Transportation is a problem when it comes to veterans around here,” Kenney said. “They’re getting tired of sitting in the house.”

Kenney added that the chapter would like to expand the current programs. “We try our best. We have a driving program. It’s hard when you’re paralyzed to depend on someone else to go to the store or grocery. We have purchased hand controls for one veteran who is thankful. He drove over here [McGuire VA Medical Center] for his appointment, which is a big deal,” he said.

“Being paralyzed ain’t no picnic,” said Kenney. “It’s nice to know we have an organization out there.” 

The Virginia Mid-Atlantic Chapter is located at 11620 Busy Street, Richmond. For info about the chapter or to volunteer call (804) 378-0017.

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