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PA R A P L E G I A N E W S F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 1
Accessible & Autonomous
Emerging transportation options
Virtual Reality
Therapy program helps veterans
Smart Security Keep your tech gadgets safe
contents
FEBRUARY 2021 VOL. 75 NO. 2
ON THE COVER
Paralyzed Veterans of America Texas
Chapter National Director Anne
Robinson is diligent in protecting the
smart device security inside her home.
Photo by Harry Robinson/Illustration by
Kerry Randolph/© Getty Images
Stephen Brashear/Bill Oxford
24 24
18 18 24
F E AT U R E S
18 Where To? 30 Virtual Therapy
Rory A. Cooper, PhD, & Brad Dicianno, MD Brittany Martin
Autonomous vehicles are still in various stages of Virtual reality is helping veterans with SCI/D
development, but they hold great promise to help in St. Louis to improve their mental and
people with disabilities travel faster, safer and physical health.
more easily.
24 Halt The Hackers
Amanda Laverman
Smart home technology and smart devices
provide convenience and independence, but it’s
important to manage security risks.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE ...
6 Contributors 35 Newsbeat 46 Index of Advertisers
6 Editor’s Desk 42 Sports & Rec 47 And Finally ...
9 PVA Chapter Roster 43 PVA Service Office Roster
11 PVA Points 46 Classified Ads
Visit us online at
pnonline.com
If you like wheelchair sports and recreation,
you’ll love our sister publication — SPORTS ’N SPOKES !
Preview online at sportsnspokes.com
“People who initially begin a
stretching routine may find their
range is limited from longtime
seated positions, but all wheelchair
users would benefit from
stretching on a daily basis.”
— Arthur Jason De Luigi, DO, MHSA
38 30 38
DE PA RTM E NT S
Now in its 75th year and the official publication of Paralyzed Veterans of America, PN is a national,
monthly magazine that covers news, health, research, lifestyle and issues of interest and concern
to veterans and others with spinal-cord injury and disease. Anyone interested in submitting an
8 PVA From the Top article to PN should consult the Contributors Guidelines found on our website at pnonline.com.
David Zurfluh PN neither endorses nor guarantees any of the products or services advertised in the magazine.
Readers should thoroughly investigate any product or service before making a purchase.
PN STAFF
10 Reasons & Remarks
Tom Fjerstad TOM FJERSTAD STEVE MAX
Editor Advertising Representative
Ext. 100 / tom@pvamag.com 215-284-8787
steve@max4media.com
SHERRI SHEA
13 On The Hill Operations Manager ANN GARVEY
Heather Ansley, Esq., MSW Ext. 102 / sherri@pvamag.com Art & Production Director
Ext. 103 / anngarvey@pvamag.com
ANDY NEMANN
Assistant Editor KERRY RANDOLPH
Ext. 112 / andy@pvamag.com Production and Graphics/Web Assistant
16 Innovations Ext. 104 / kerry@pvamag.com
Lisa Van Loo JOHN GROTH
Editorial Coordinator SUZI HUBBARD
Ext. 105 / john@pvamag.com Circulation Coordinator
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38 Health Smarts Editorial Coordinator EDITORIAL, BUSINESS, AND
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7250 North 16th Street, Suite 100
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44 Veteran Advisor
Raymond Ty McWhorter, NSO
PN (ISSN 0031-1766) is published monthly by Paralyzed Veterans of America, Inc., 7250 North 16th Street,
Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85020-5214. Periodicals postage paid at Phoenix, Ariz., and additional mailing offices.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to PN, 7250 North 16th Street, Suite 100, Phoenix, AZ 85020-5214.
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© 2021 Paralyzed Veterans of America, Inc. All rights
reserved. Reproduction of the whole or any part of the
contents without permission is prohibited.
FEBRUARY
PARALYZED
Editor’s
DESK
VETERANS
OF AMERICA
NATIONAL OFFIC E
801 Eighteenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20006, USA
202-872-1300 • www.pva.org
PVA OFFIC ERS
going to love this issue of PN.
David Zurfluh
If you love technology, you’re President
friend, Ror y Cooper, PhD, and his
We can once again count on our ch
rgh’s Human Engineering Resear
Charles Brown
team at the University of Pittsbu and Brad
Senior Vice President
e 18 is co-authored by Cooper
Laboratories. Where To? on pag s and the Hack Albertson
the topic of self-driving car
Dicianno, MD, and sheds light on d in the
Vice President
ple with disabilities are include
work being done to ensure peo Robert Thomas
life-changing technology.
planning stages of this potentially - Vice President
ogy, I recently expanded my per
Speaking of life-changing technol e can Tammy Jones
and numerous items in my hom
sonal use of smart home tech, I didn’t
Vice President
n Echo Dot. However, one thing
now be controlled via the Amazo ker s. Kenneth Ness
ing those devices from hac
think too much about was protect ices Vice President
e thought about how these dev
If you have a similar setup or hav 24. Get som e Tom Wheaton
d Halt The Hackers on page
could make your life easier, rea inson,
Treasurer
ns of America member Anne Rob
great tips from Paralyzed Vetera tain s some Marcus Murray
nology. The article also con
who uses a vast array of this tech to do.
Secretary
swords — something I struggle
easy ideas for creating strong pas Al Kovach Jr.
tent this month. Enjoy!
There’s plenty of other great con Immediate Past President
PVA NATIONAL OFFIC E
Carl Blake
Executive Director
Shaun Castle
Deputy Executive Director
Len Selfon
General Counsel
Cheryl Topping
Chief Financial Officer
Peter Gaytan
Associate Executive Director
Veterans Benefits
Heather Ansley
contributing to this issue… Associate Executive Director
Government Relations
Mark Lichter
Director: Architecture & Facilities
Cheryl Vines
Director: Research & Education
Liz Deakin
Director: Communications
Amanda Lisa Van Loo
Laverman (p. 16) Fabio Villarroel
(p. 24) Director: Sports & Recreation
6 | PN February 2021
DAV I D Z U R F L U H
PVA
NAT IONA L PR ESI DEN T
fromtheTOP
Valentine’s Day Even trying to do something simple close
to your home could be problematic this year.
Depending on where you live, you may still
I must confess before doing research on be facing severe dining restrictions or limited
Valentine’s Day, I wouldn’t be able to answer a entertainment opportunities.
question on its history. So, I did a little digging, However, don’t despair or let pessimism
and here’s a brief, summarized version. enter your heart. Just reimagine and figure out
There were three St. Valentines, who were a different way to make Valentine’s Day fun.
each martyred for practicing their Christian Just be grateful you’re not living in the times of
faith. The first two were killed during the time the Roman soldier.
of the Roman Empire in Europe, and the third Below are ideas I’ve researched to help
was killed in a Roman prov- make Valentine’s Day a joyous one for you and
ince of Africa with others. The your loved one. If you have kids, you may have
exact details are unknown. the chance to include them, too.
If you’re like me and The first St. Valentine, who
have someone special was martyred around 270 AD, Cooking
performed clandestine mar- ■ Have a Parisian night (French food, wine,
in your life, you try riages for Roman soldiers. Mar- desserts and coffee).
riage for soldiers was forbidden
to find something to because of the emperor’s belief
■ Create a waffle bar with your favorite top-
pings and fruits.
enjoy as a couple. it would distract a soldier from ■ Bake cookies or other goodies.
his duties and loyalty to him.
■ Take an online cooking class for couples.
Disobedience resulted in exe-
cution for those caught. Drinking
St. Valentine wore a very distinctive
■ Take a mixology class online.
purple amethyst ring so soldiers wanting to
■ Do your own wine and chocolate tasting
get married could distinguish him from others
(try it while watching a movie).
and approach him covertly to arrange their
clandestine marriages. Legend says that after
Non-Food Ideas
performing the ceremony, St. Valentine would
■ Take a hike/roll.
cut out a heart from parchment paper and give
it to the couple to discreetly display and cel- ■ Play tourist in your hometown.
ebrate their love each year. ■ Go for a drive.
If you’re like me and have someone spe- ■ Make a scrapbook.
cial in your life, you try to find something to ■ Write love letters and read them aloud to
enjoy as a couple. One past Valentine’s Day, each other.
we took an early morning flight from Seattle ■ Do a massage/spa day.
to San Francisco (a one-and-a-half hour flight
■ Watch a sunset.
with one carry-on), hopped on the train from
the airport to downtown, saw the sights, ate a ■ Watch the stars at night through
romantic dinner, took an Uber back to the air- a telescope.
port and caught a late flight back home. ■ Make a game night (board games or cards,
This year, however, the novel coronavirus no video games).
(COVID-19) pandemic has put up a few obsta- ■ Try a do-it-yourself tarot reading.
cles. Vaccines are on their way to all of us, but a ■ Build a bonfire.
romantic trip like the one we took isn’t a prac-
tical option for many people because of the Whatever you choose to do, just remember
risk of flying, attractions being shuttered and to make it your day as a couple and fall in love
restaurants and bars being closed. again together. ■
8 | PN February 2021
pva chapter roster
ARIZONA GEORGIA MISSOURI SOUTH DAKOTA
Arizona PVA Southeastern PVA Gateway PVA North Central PVA
5015 N. 7th Ave., Ste. 2 4010 Deans Bridge Rd. 1311 Lindbergh Plaza Center 209 N. Garfield
Phoenix, AZ 85013 Hephzibah, GA 30815 St. Louis, MO 63132 Sioux Falls, SD 57104-5601
800-621-9217 706-796-6301 314-427-0393 800-505-4782
602-244-9168 706-796-6338 314-427-4183 (fax) 605-336-0494
www.azpva.org www.gatewaypva.org 605-332-8656 (fax)
ILLINOIS
CALIFORNIA Vaughan PVA NEBRASKA TENNESSEE
Bay Area & Western PVA 2235 Enterprise Dr., Ste. 3501 Great Plains PVA Mid-South PVA
3801 Miranda Ave., Westchester, IL 60154 7612 Maple St. VAMC, Rm. 2D100
Bldg. 101, Rm. A1-219, 800-727-2234 Omaha, NE 68134-6502 1030 Jefferson Ave.
Mail Code 816 708-947-9790 402-398-1422 Memphis, TN 38104
Palo Alto, CA 94304 708-947-9755 (fax) 901-527-3018
800-273-6789 www.vaughanpva.org NEVADA
650-858-3936 Nevada PVA TEXAS
California PVA IOWA 704 S. Jones Blvd. Lone Star PVA
5901 E. Seventh St. Iowa PVA Las Vegas, NV 89107 3925 Forest Ln.
Long Beach, CA 90822 7025 Hickman Rd. Ste. #1 702-646-0040 Garland, TX 75042
562-826-5713 Urbandale, IA 50322 702-646-3712 800-583-5252
pvacaliforniachapter.org 515-277-4782 www.nevadapva.org 972-276-5252
www.iowapva.org lspva@lspva.net
Cal-Diego PVA
OHIO Texas PVA
VAMC, Rm. 1A-118
3350 La Jolla Village Dr. KENTUCKY Buckeye PVA 6418 FM 2100 Rd.
San Diego, CA 92161 Kentucky-Indiana PVA 26250 Euclid Ave., Ste. 115 Crosby, TX 77532
858-450-1443 2835 Holmans Lane Euclid, OH 44132 800-933-4261
www.caldiegopva.org Jeffersonville, IN 47130 216-731-1017 713-520-8782
502-635-6539 713-520-8217 (fax)
COLORADO www.kipva.org OKLAHOMA
Mid-America PVA VIRGINIA
Mountain States PVA
12200 E. Iliff Ave. #107 MASSACHUSETTS 6108 NW 63rd St., Ste. A Mid-Atlantic PVA
Aurora, CO 80014-5376 New England PVA Oklahoma City, OK 73132 11620 Busy St.
303-597-0038 1208 VFW Parkway, Ste. 301 405-721-7168 Richmond, VA 23236
303-597-0039 (fax) West Roxbury, MA 02132 800-852-7639
www.mscpva.org 800-660-1181 OREGON 804-378-0017
617-942-8678 Oregon PVA 804-378-0026 (fax)
DELAWARE 857-203-9685 (fax) 3700 Silverton Rd., NE
www.nepva.org Salem, OR 97305 WASHINGTON
Colonial PVA
700 Barksdale Rd. Suite 2 800-333-0782 Northwest PVA
Newark, DE 19711 MICHIGAN 503-362-7998 616 SW 152nd St., Ste. B
888-963-6595 Michigan PVA 503-362-9837 (fax) Burien, WA 98166
302-861-6675 (fax) 46701 Commerce Center Dr. www.oregonpva.org 800-336-9782
www.colonialpva.org Plymouth, MI 48170-2475 206-241-1843
248-476-9000 PENNSYLVANIA 206-433-0749 (fax)
FLORIDA 248-476-9545 (fax) Keystone PVA
1113 Main St. WEST VIRGINIA
Central Florida PVA
2711 S. Design Ct. MINNESOTA Pittsburgh, PA 15215-2407 West Virginia PVA
Sanford, FL 32773-8120 Minnesota PVA 800-775-9323 336 Campbells Creek Dr.
407-328-7041 1 Veterans Dr. 412-781-2474 Charleston, WV 25306
407-328-7139 SCI-Room 238 412-781-2659 (fax) 304-925-9352
Minneapolis, MN 55417 keystoneparavets@gmail.com
Florida PVA
612-467-2263 WISCONSIN
3799 N. Andrews Ave.
612-726-9472 (fax) PUERTO RICO Wisconsin PVA
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309
954-565-8885 mnpva.org Puerto Rico PVA 750 N. Lincoln Memorial Dr., Ste. 306
954-565-8843 (fax) Urb. Country Club Milwaukee, WI 53202-4018
MISSISSIPPI 812 Moluca Street 800-875-9782
Florida Gulf Coast PVA
Bayou Gulf States PVA San Juan, PR 00924-1723 414-328-8910
15435 N. Florida Ave.
15489 Dedeaux Rd. 787-757-6465 / 405-5551 414-328-8948 (fax)
Tampa, FL 33613
Gulfport, MS 39503-2667 1-800-784-9502 (fax)
800-397-6540
228-832-6864 pvapuertorico@gmail.com
813-264-6285 (fax)
228-539-5494 (fax)
www.floridagulfcoastpva.org
bayougulfstates@cableone.net
February 2021 PN | 9
reasons
& remarks
TOM FJ ER STA D,
EDITOR
No Bias In SCI Years later during a 1985 interview for the
PVA-published book An Oral History Of The
Paralyzed Veterans of America, Robert Moss, who
February is Black History Month. In recog- was PVA’s second national president, recalled
nition, I’d like to share a story I came across in notifying the press, “I called in the wording to
our archives that speaks to racial segregation the wire services, DPI and Associated Press. I
during the World War II era. forget the exact wording now, but something to
Segregation was still commonplace in the effect that spinal cord knows no bias. When I
the years following World War II, but attitude called it in and the operator heard the language,
changes were slowly occurring as many peo- she said in a very thick Southern drawl, ‘It’s
ple dug in their heels in opposition. One about time people around here got some sense.’”
example was the action taken by a new The day after its original story, the Rich-
“... We do veterans service organization called mond Times-Dispatch ran a follow-up article
the Paralyzed Veterans Association of titled Hotel Lifts Racial Ban For Banquet.
know that a America, which was later shortened to Detailing the latest news of the situation, the
Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA). article read, “Hotel John Marshall, which had
spinal-cord Leaders of this new group refused refused to permit paralyzed Negro Veterans to
injury knows to accept a situation they found them- attend a banquet there tomorrow night, yes-
selves facing under what were commonly terday rescinded its action. The annual ban-
no bias.” referred to as Jim Crow Laws. On Sept. 26, quet is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. in the Virginia
1947, PVA had called to order its second Room of the Hotel.”
– Gilford Moss It was the first time that Blacks had been
formal meeting, a three-day confer-
ence taking place at the Hunter Holmes served in the Hotel John Marshall since the Civil
McGuire Veterans Administration Hos- War. This occurred just 10 months before then-
pital in Richmond, Va., with a closing banquet U.S. President Harry Truman signed Executive
planned at the Hotel John Marshall on Sept. 28. Order 9981, Desegregation of the Armed Forces,
However, the hotel informed PVA that none which stated that “there shall be equality of
of its Black members or delegates would be treatment and opportunity for all persons in the
allowed to attend the banquet. PVA members armed forces without regard to race, color, reli-
voted for a telegram of protest to be sent to the gion, or national origin.”
hotel and to notify the press of the situation. This order also established the President’s
The local Richmond Times-Dispatch Committee on Equality of Treatment and
newspaper began its coverage on Sept. 27 Opportunity in the Armed Services, an advisory
with an article on page 3, titled Racial Ban committee to examine the rules, practices and
Lifting Asked For Meeting. The article detailed procedures of the armed services and recom-
the circumstances and included the follow- mend ways to make desegregation a reality.
ing excerpt from the telegram: I was glad to see that PVA took a position,
“The telegram, signed by Gilford Moss, of however controversial at the time, that we
Chicago, national chairman for the Paralyzed can now look back on and say, “We were on
Veterans’ Association stated that, ‘We have been the right side of that one.” Gilford Moss and
informed that the Negro members of the Para- that convention of delegates showed their
lyzed Veterans Association will not be allowed recognition of bonds that occur between so
to join us at our banquet that concludes our many PVA members because “a spinal-cord
convention. The Paralyzed Veterans Associa- injury knows no bias.”
tion of America urges the manager of the hotel The Hotel John Marshall was converted into
to reconsider his stand for this occasion. As an an apartment complex in 2011, but the Virginia
organization we are not concerned with the Room where PVA’s banquet took place lives on as
problems of racial prejudice but we do know that part of the John Marshall Ballrooms and is now
a spinal-cord injury knows no bias.’” a popular choice for wedding receptions. Q
10 | PN February 2021pva points
Women’s Retreat
Registration is open for
the Paralyzed Veterans of
America (PVA) Women Vet-
erans Empowerment Retreat
(formerly WE Served).
An all-expenses-paid
event, the retreat focuses
on the holistic well-being of
women veterans with disabil-
ities. Set for April 23–25 at the
Tempe Mission Palms Hotel &
The Paralyzed Veterans of
America Women Veterans
Empowerment Retreat is set
for April in Tempe, Ariz.
COURTESY OF PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA COURTESY OF PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA
February 2021 PN | 11COURTESY OF PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA MINNESOTA CHAPTER
The Paralyzed Veterans of America Minnesota Chapter participated in a drive-by holiday parade Dec. 19.
COURTESY OF PARALYZED VETERANS OF AMERICA MINNESOTA CHAPTER
Cars decked out in holiday decorations drove by the Minneapolis Department of Veterans Affairs
Medical Center and Minnesota Veterans Home Dec. 19.
Conference Center in Tempe, For more information The PVA Minnesota
Ariz., this immersive and or to register, visit pva.org/ Chapter joined with several
outcome-driven experience is womenveterans. other veterans service orga-
limited to just 40 attendees. nizations to conduct a drive-
Participants will enjoy by holiday parade Dec. 19.
four days of learning and Drive-By Parade The parade featured more
community-building in an than 30 vehicles, with many
inclusive and supportive The novel coronavirus decked out in all types of
environment. (COVID-19) pandemic holiday decorations.
PVA is working to assem- made this past winter holi- The holiday drive-by
ble a lineup of experts and day season tough on many parade paid honor and gave
thought leaders to present a people, but the Paralyzed holiday greetings to veter-
multitude of topics on health, Veterans of America (PVA) ans and health care workers
money, stress manage- Minnesota Chapter found at the Minneapolis Depart-
ment, nutrition, education, a way to spread some sea- ment of Veterans Affairs
employment, health care, sonal joy to those who Medical Center and Minne-
volunteering and more. couldn’t get out. sota Veterans Home.
12 | PN February 2021on the
hill
H E AT H ER A NSL EY, ESQ . , M SW
© GETTY IMAGES/MSTAHLPHOTO
Advocacy Priorities bers’ needs to receive timely health
care services and the financial benefits
The start of the 117th Congress and employment assistance that will
and a new administration means Para- help them and their families.
lyzed Veterans of America (PVA) will With the opportunity to move past
have many opportunities to educate the pandemic on the horizon, PVA will
leaders in Washington, D.C., about PVA also advocate for priorities that ensure
members’ needs. its members have improved access to
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
health care and benefits, as well as dis-
ability civil rights protections and other
programs that provide needed supports Expanding PCAFC
for people with disabilities. Another critical priority is proper
implementation of the VA’s Program of
Specialized Services Comprehensive Assistance for Family
One of PVA’s most important priorities Caregivers (PCAFC) expansion.
remains preserving access to the VA’s The VA Mission Act directed
specialized services. the PCAFC be expanded to severely
PVA firmly believes the VA is the injured veterans of all eras through
best health care provider for veterans a phased approach beginning Oct.
with spinal-cord injuries and disorders 1, 2019. The VA missed this deadline
(SCI/D). The VA’s specialized systems and didn’t begin expansion until
of care follow higher clinical standards Oct. 1, 2020, for veterans who were
than those required in the private sector. severely injured in the line of duty on
PVA remains concerned that if the or before May 7, 1975, and on or after
VA continues to shift care to the private Sept. 11, 2001.
sector and woefully understaff its facili- Phase 2, which will include veter-
ties, the department’s capacity to treat ans who served between May 8, 1975,
veterans will be diminished and could and Sept. 10, 2001, is expected to begin
lead to facility closures and reductions Oct. 1, 2022. PVA believes, however,
in services offered to catastrophically that prolonged delays in expansion are
disabled veterans. further straining caregivers who des-
This year, PVA will advocate for perately need relief now, particularly in
preservation of the VA’s specialized light of the global pandemic’s impact.
services, including the funding needed PVA will advocate for Phase 2 of the
to maintain them. PVA will also advo- caregiver program to begin on Oct. 1,
cate for the VA to address pandemic- 2021, as Congress originally intended.
related delays in the delivery of
“nonessential” health care to SCI/D Long-Term Care
© GETTY IMAGES/GSHELDON
veterans, including colonoscopies and PVA also plans to focus on the need for
in-person annual exams. adequate long-term care (LTC) options
In 2020, the novel coronavirus Telehealth isn’t a long-term for veterans with SCI/D.
(COVID-19) pandemic required PVA replacement for in-person annual There are few LTC facilities that are
to shift its focus to ensure Congress exams for SCI/D veterans. In addition, capable of appropriately serving SCI/D
and the administration addressed PVA will advocate for the VA to develop veterans. The VA operates six such facil-
those needs. and implement a new staffing model ities, and only one of them is located
This year, PVA will continue to that identifies and prioritizes staffing west of the Mississippi River.
advocate for pandemic-related legisla- needs at the national level while sup- Since VA SCI/D LTC facilities
tion and policies that focus on its mem- porting flexibility at the facility level. are exceptionally limited, veterans
February 2021 PN | 13with SCI/D who have chronic medi-
cal issues are being treated in com-
munity institutions by providers not
trained in SCI/D. This often results
in compromised quality of care and
poor outcomes.
In some areas, it’s nearly impos-
sible to find placements for veterans
who are ventilator-dependent or who
have bowel and bladder care needs.
As a result, PVA will advocate for the
VA to direct and design a SCI/D LTC
strategic plan that addresses the
need for increased LTC beds in VA
SCI/D centers.
Furthermore, PVA will advocate for
increased funding in future fiscal years
directed at the completion of remain-
ing SCI/D-related construction proj-
ects, including those focused on LTC.
Auto Grants
Improved transportation assistance
through the VA for the most severely
disabled veterans is another one of
PVA’s key priorities.
Access to an adapted vehicle is
essential to the mobility and health
of catastrophically disabled veter-
ans who need a reliable means of
transportation. The current one-time
VA Automobile Allowance grant of
approximately $21,500 covers any-
where from one-half to one-third of
the cost to procure a vehicle.
PVA believes veterans need
ongoing access to this grant and
will support legislation to increase
the frequency with which eligible
veterans would be able to receive
it. PVA will also advocate for the VA
to properly reimburse veterans for
the cost of items on the VA’s current
Automobile Adaptive Equipment list,
as well as modern driver assistance
technologies to broaden opportuni-
ties for veterans with catastrophic
disabilities to drive more comfort-
ably and safely.
14 | PN February 2021© GETTY IMAGES/GREJAK
Furthermore, PVA months of limited travel
will support legislation because of the pan-
to allow veterans who demic. Finally, PVA will
have non-service-con- continue to advocate
nected catastrophic for legislation that will
disabilities to receive ensure the long-term
the same type of solvency of important
adaptive automobile Social Security benefits.
equipment as veterans To learn more about
whose disabilities are these PVA priorities for
service-connected. 2021, including how to
PVA will also advocate with your Con-
advocate on a variety Improved transportation assistance through the Department of Veterans gress members, visit pva.
of issues impacting its Affairs is a key priority for Paralyzed Veterans of America. org/research-resources/
members as people legislative-priorities.
with disabilities. PVA’s Heather Ansley,
priorities include improved enforce- and access to air travel under the Air Esq., MSW, is PVA’s associate executive
ment of access requirements under Carrier Access Act, particularly as its director of government relations in
the Americans with Disabilities Act members return to the skies following Washington, D.C. ■
February 2021 PN | 15L I S A VA N L O O
innovations
Sensing Pressure The Sensoria Mat’s app shows a
user’s pressure relief history and can
Pressure sores were the least of make that information available to
Garrison Redd’s worries as a teen- authorized telehealth providers.
ager growing up in Brooklyn, N.Y.
But a catastrophic spinal-cord injury
(SCI), sustained after Mat system serves as a wheelchair
Redd was struck by wellness coach, reminding users to
a stray bullet at move every 30 minutes and alert-
age 17, changed ing them to their success.
everything for “There are about 36 conclusive
him. research studies that agree if a per-
son in a wheelchair can effectively
offload consistently during the day,
multiple times a day, in a specific
pattern by using a certain process,
the risk of ulceration is reduced,”
ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SENSORIA
says Davide Vigano, Sensoria co-
founder and CEO. “It’s very hard
to treat a pressure ulcer. Once you
develop one, it’s hard to heal them.”
The Sensoria Mat, developed
with researchers at Rancho Los
Amigos National Rehabilitation
Center in California, is a holistic
system that uses data from a set
of sensors to relay information to
a mobile app and a cloud-based
dashboard of metrics that’s acces-
sible, with a patient’s permission,
to telehealth providers.
While the system was in devel-
opment before the novel coronavirus
Quality (AHRQ) estimates costs the
health care system almost $27 billion
a year to treat.
That’s why Redd says he was
The bullet thrilled to try the Sensoria Mat, a new
burned nerves in his system the Team USA para powerlifter
spine, leaving the active, describes as “cool and innovative.”
athletic teen unable to The technology aims to help reduce
walk. And as someone who was now the number of pressure sores those
using a wheelchair, it also elevated his with SCI endure each year. The Sensoria Mat is a holistic system
concern about developing ulcerations, a that uses data from a set of sensors,
dangerous condition for those with SCI. A Perfect Match shown here, to relay information
It’s a serious problem that the Since pressure sores develop as a result to a mobile app and a cloud-based
Agency for Healthcare Research and of sustained immobility, the Sensoria dashboard of metrics.
16 | PN February 2021(COVID-19) pandemic took hold, its
timing could not have been better, as
the need for telehealth resources and
remote care increased.
Jeff Rankin, co-director of rehab
engineering at Rancho Los Amigos,
says his team was encouraged by
others to approach Sensoria and The Sensoria Mat contains a paper-thin
collaborate on the product’s develop- insert that sits inside a custom wheelchair
ment after previous partnerships with cushion. The insert is positioned below
other tech companies didn’t pan out. a gel layer to keep the cushion cool.
“We were going to use Sensoria for
a completely different project,” Rankin
says, making note of the referrals they
had received. “It’s been a perfect match enough or doesn’t perform it physi- to further develop the product, Rankin
in so many ways ever since.” cally correctly, the app encourages the says the team hopes to get the product
user to try again. to as many users as possible.
Positive Feedback “In general, the feedback has been “The goal is to make it so it’s attrac-
The AHRQ estimates about 2.5 mil- positive,” Rankin says. tive and mass-adopted,” Rankin says.
lion people a year incur pressure Vigano and Rankin describe the
sores, and about 60,000 Americans die status of the Sensoria Mat as a pro- Changing Lives
each year from complications of the totype, although Vigano is confident Redd sees the benefits. As a powerlifter,
ulcerations. Put simply, moving helps. Sensoria will be able to ship units to it’s not unusual for him to complete sev-
“Relieving the pressure between users who have purchased them by the eral pull-ups while still strapped into
the chair and your body is the single end of March. his chair. But Redd says Sensoria makes
biggest factor someone can do,” Rankin In addition to conducting an vital movements possible for anyone.
says of the best prescription for avoid- economic impact study with Johns “You don’t need to be able to lift two
ing ulcerations. And that’s the sole Hopkins University in Baltimore, the times your body weight to use the Sen-
focus of the Sensoria Mat. team at Rancho Los Amigos launched a soria Mat,” Redd says. “However, you do
A paper-thin insert sits inside a research study in January that required need to lift a small portion of your body
custom wheelchair cushion and sends 80 participants. The study is expected weight to prevent ulcerations.”
data to a small device, which transmits to last a couple of years and gather addi- Rankin is just pleased at how well
the information to the Sensoria app tional data about the Sensoria Mat and the Sensoria partnership turned out
and its accompanying dashboard. The its impact on pressure sores. and says he’s looking forward to the day
insert is so thin, the user can’t even “We need more data to refine the this technology is widely available. For
feel it. It is positioned below a gel layer algorithms. The challenge is really him, this type of progress has been a
to keep the cushion cool. patient recruitment,” Vigano says, long time coming.
“It’s super soft and super comfy,” referring to the pandemic’s limitations. “To have a company like Sensoria
Vigano says of the cushion, noting that “So, we decided to launch a crowdfund- Health that has the technology and is
the app employs positive reinforcement ing campaign so we can send out the willing to work with us, and to see the
and constructive coaching. “The coach devices at the lowest possible cost.” vision turn into a device that’s useful
inside the application will tell them if The campaign, which will raise and something people are really excited
they didn’t do the exercise correctly funds through Kickstarter, is set to about ... it has been amazing,” Rankin
and to do it again.” begin early this year. Vigano estimates says. “I have no doubt whatsoever that
For example, one of the exercises the system will cost about $500 but this device will in many ways change a
may be a left lean for 30 seconds. If the says during the Kickstarter campaign, number of lives in positive ways.”
user completes the assigned exercise it will cost less. For more information, visit
correctly, the app rewards the user. If Between the campaign and a fed- sensoriahealth.com/sensoria-mat. ■
the user doesn’t hold the exercise long eral grant Rancho Los Amigos received
February 2021 PN | 17Autonomous vehicles are still in various
stages of development, but they hold great
promise to help people with disabilities
travel faster, safer and more easily.
by Rory A. Cooper, PhD, & Brad Dicianno, MD
Throughout much of the Since 2009, the vast
United States, the capacity to drive opens the majority of the $14 bil-
door to greater participation in life, job oppor- lion invested in AV tech-
tunities, access to health care, education and nology has been spent
a general sense of freedom. in pursuit of mass
However, those same opportunities can market driverless cars.
be really restricted for people with disabili- These efforts have
ties such as spinal-cord injury and disease produced signifi-
(SCI/D). There are some who don’t drive, cant advances, but
don’t have easy access to a ride or live in a the technological,
metropolitan area with limited public trans- psychological and
portation options. regulatory con-
Additionally, with the ever-growing straints that remain
retirement of the baby boomer generation, will likely make
who largely want to “age in place,” there’s an widespread AV market
increasing need for accessible and enabling adoption a decade or
personal transportation. more away.
The transportation industry is in the Despite the billions
middle of one of its largest transforma- invested and rapid technolog-
tions, with unprecedented investment and ical advances, the transportation
advancements in electric and autonomous options for older adults and persons
vehicle (AV) technologies. with disabilities remains largely the same.
18 | PN February 2021ME
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Incorporating
Accessibility
A 2015 report from Q Research and development of AVs and
the National Council their components should include a
on Disability titled requirement that demonstrates that any
Self-Driving Cars: resulting products incorporate accessibil-
Mapping Access to a ity of people with diverse disabilities,
Technology Revolu- and these technologies should be
tion explored the required to comply with Section 508
“emerging revolution of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973.
in automobile technology
and the promise it holds for Q Guidelines are needed for how people
people with disabilities, as with disabilities can safely interact with
well as the obstacles the dis- and use AVs.
ability community faces to real-
ize that promise.” It makes several Q All types of common and public use AVs
key recommendations: must be fully accessible.
February 2021 PN | 19COURTESY OF HUMAN ENGINEERING RESEARCH LABORATORIES
The Human Engi-
neering Research
Laboratories (HERL)
at the University of
Pittsburgh and the
U.S. Department of
Veterans Affairs was
recently funded by the
Department of Trans-
portation to create the
Automated vehicle
Service for People with
disabilities – Involved Toyota is among the vehicle manufacturers trying to develop and test
Responsive Engineer- autonomous vehicles.
ing (ASPIRE) Center.
The ASPIRE Center
is investigating the implications of accessible taxonomy and definitions for automated driving
automated vehicles and mobility services for to simplify communication and facilitate col-
people with disabilities and their caregivers. laboration within technical and policy domains.
A 2017 survey from the Bureau of Trans- The SAE defines more than a dozen key
portation Statistics found that 6 million terms and provides full descriptions and
people with a disability have difficulty get- examples for each level of autonomy. Unfortu-
ting the transportation they need. There have nately, it doesn’t address usability and acces-
been no overarching federal laws specifically sibility for people with disabilities.
governing AVs, but the National Highway Ford, Toyota, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz,
Traffic Safety Administration released fed- Tesla, Google and Uber, among others, are
eral guidance on the issue in 2019. developing AVs that are either currently
The Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) being tested on American roadways or will be
international standard J3016 provides a common within the next five years.
COURTESY OF HUMAN ENGINEERING RESEARCH LABORATORIES
Hyundai plans to produce and deploy air vehicles in collaboration with Uber through a ground and aerial
rideshare network.
20 | PN February 2021Self-driving personal
vehicles could
potentially provide a
hands-free autopilot
driving mode.
© GETTY IMAGES/ METAMORWORKS
Of course, not all AVs are intended for planning from day one is critical to a success-
roads. Hyundai is working with the city of fully accessible product, regardless of how many
Los Angeles to introduce accessible flying years in the future it lies.”
AVs as an urban air mobility solution. Hyun- The report found that mitigating trans-
dai has adopted a NASA strategy by publicly portation-related barriers for people with This self-driving vehicle
releasing its design concepts to inspire peo- disabilities would enable new employment is used for test drives
ple to use them to innovate emerging engi- opportunities for approximately 2 million conducted by Uber
neering technologies. Technologies Inc.
Hyundai plans to produce and deploy
air vehicles in collaboration with Uber
through a ground and aerial rideshare
network. A collaborative infrastructure
is being developed to support this on-
demand AV transportation system.
Eliminating Barriers
Different levels of automation pose
distinct possibilities and challenges
for people with disabilities. Therefore,
accessibility research needs to be driven
by and for people with disabilities to
assure that their needs and preferences
are incorporated.
As noted by the National Council on
Disability’s 2017 report, Self-Driving Cars:
The Impact on People with Disabilities,
“The disability community knows better
than any other how being involved in the
© GETTY IMAGES/ JASONDOIY
February 2021 PN | 21people with disabilities and save $19 billion importance of developing futuristic tech-
annually in health care expenditures from nologies related to transportation.
missed medical appointments alone. This work indicates that advancements in
Most people with disabilities have only technologies related to transportation are very
three viable transportation options: important to individuals with disabilities and
represent a significant unmet need. More than
Q Operate a personal vehicle 60% of respondents rated the importance of
Q Rely on the services of others technology in meeting their personal mobility
Q Use accessible public transportation needs as “critical,” and over 40% thought that
traveling freely was also “critical.”
For people with disabilities who don’t live Some survey participants provided addi-
in urban areas, owning and operating a per- tional comments, with approximately 12%
sonal vehicle or relying on friends and fam- mentioning transportation as being critical
ily are the only realistic options. In multiple and “self-driving” vehicles being included in
studies to identify unmet needs of individuals nearly 50% of those comments.
with disabilities receiving community-based
services, transportation has been consistently Making An Impact
highlighted as an issue. There are risks and challenges associated with
HERL investigators surveyed the opinions both AVs and accessible vehicles.
of more than 1,000 users of mobility devices The experiences gathered through the
and assistive technology to identify a research University of Pittsburgh Medical Center’s Cen-
and development road map. The survey ter for Assistive Technology show that current
focused on advancements in mobility-related levels of autonomy available in commercially
assistive technologies and asked about the available vehicles can have an impact.
For example, older drivers or “insecure
© GETTY IMAGES/ SCHARFSINN86
drivers” can (re)gain the safety and confi-
dence to drive, and driving instructions can
improve through quantitative data. Such
features as rear collision/obstacle avoidance,
corrective steering and blind-spot warnings
can make all drivers safer and make driving
possible for others.
The Merlin Co-pilot is an AV technology
that is intended to mitigate the risks and
challenges by providing capabilities com-
patible with newer accessible vehicles to
make them more autonomous. The system
is integrated into the vehicle to access
vehicle functions and features, including
braking, signaling and others that are
essential for safe vehicle control. It
adds autonomous features to peo-
ple’s existing accessible vehicles.
This is particularly important
because accessible vehicle modifi-
cations can be expensive, ranging
from as low as $1,500 to as high
To be successful, automated vehicle technology needs extreme reliability, as $100,000, excluding the cost of
especially if it’s the only means a person has to drive safely. the vehicle. People tend to keep
22 | PN February 2021Toyota Motor Corp.
President Akio Toyoda
speaks in front of the
e-Palette Concept
Vehicle, a fully
autonomous, battery-
electric vehicle, during
a press event for the
consumer electronics
trade show known as
CES in Las Vegas in 2018.
© GETTY IMAGES/ ALEX WONG
their modified accessible vehicles as long as it is many people with disabilities. Moreover, the
feasible. For people who use adaptive vehicles need to buy a new vehicle is a significant hurdle
to eventually adopt AVs, the technology has to for many people with disabilities.
be available, affordable and compatible with Currently, accessible personal electric
vehicle access needs. vehicles, the likely future for autonomous
It’s likely to be over a decade before this is vehicles, are in various stages of research and
possible, and even people with disabilities who development. Toyota Motor Corp. plans to
buy an accessible vehicle today will probably be deploy an accessible autonomous transporta-
using that same vehicle even as other customers tion system for this summer’s Olympic and
start to transition to AVs. Paralympic Games in Tokyo.
The system will include a wide range of
Moving Forward vehicles to travel within and between venues.
Most AVs are based on electric vehicle chassis. This should prove an important milestone in
Some electric vehicles that could be accessible accessible AV progress and provide important
to people present challenges because they don’t information for moving forward.
include, for example, traditional handholds used Autonomous vehicle technologies have
to help transfer in/out of the vehicle. the potential to drastically improve access
For people who use their wheelchairs for people with SCI/D, as well as for people
as seats in motor vehicles, the ability to who have vision, hearing, intellectual and
use wheelchair tie-downs and occupant developmental disabilities. People with
restraints needs to be considered. By upgrad- disabilities need to be engaged in and help
ing existing modified vans, this barrier could guide the development of AV technologies.
be lowered at least until manufacturers start For more information on HERL, visit
producing purpose-built vehicles. herl.pitt.edu.
To be successful, AV technology needs Rory A. Cooper, PhD, is the founder and
extreme reliability, especially if it’s the only director of HERL, while Brad Dicianno, MD,
means a person has to drive safely. Cost is also serves as the organization’s medical director
a notable issue. Devices and systems that are and chief operating officer. Q
too costly will essentially be inaccessible to
February 2021 PN | 23Smart home
technology and
smart devices
provide convenience
and independence,
but it’s important to
manage security risks.
Alexa, a smart device
by Amanda Laverman name commonly spoken multiple times a day
inside many households across the country,
has become synonymous with completing
tasks by voice command.
Everything from kitchen appliances
to thermostats, doors and fans can
now be controlled by smart home
devices. These Internet of Things
(IoT) devices — devices that use sen-
sors, software and other technolo-
gies to exchange data
with other internet-
enabled devices
— increase con-
venience and inde-
pendence. However,
these devices also
increase your home’s
security risk.
24 | PN February 2021ILLUSTRATION BY KERRY RANDOLPH © GETTY IMAGES/
THITICHAYA YAJAMPA/ NE2PI/ YUICHIRO CHINO/ CONGORILLA/
STEPHEN BRASHEAR/ BILL OXFORD
COURTESY OF LUCI
The media shares horror stories of
hacked baby monitors, compromised
security cameras and identity theft. But
you can protect yourself by knowing what
data your device is collecting, what that
data is being used for and how it is being
transferred and stored.
“A big part of security is knowing
what is being collected and commu-
nicated,” says Jered Dean, co-founder
and chief technical officer for LUCI, a
hardware/software product that attaches
to power wheelchairs to prevent tips, collisions
and drop-off falls and provides security, stabil-
ity and connectivity through cloud and sensor-
fusion technologies. “Smart products connect
to the internet and collect data, but why? What
data is being collected and transmitted and
what does that do for you? Make sure that you LUCI is a product that attaches to power wheelchairs and provides security,
are benefiting from the data collection and stability and connectivity through cloud and sensor-fusion technologies.
February 2021 PN | 25connectivity before committing to a new smart your use of the app, you can change it to only
technology. Then, focus on data storage and access your location when that particular app
transmission for the technology.” is in use.
“Take your data security seriously. Focus
Keeping Devices Secure on how your identity is used or combined with
The default data permissions on most smart data,” Dean says. “As a general best practice,
home devices are often very generous. look for devices that don’t store your data in
Carefully evaluate all privacy settings and connection with your name or ID. Or look for
requested permissions on each device and its devices that store your information encrypted
associated apps. Only share what is neces- at rest [on the device] and in transit [when
sary or what you are comfortable with shar- being transmitted over the internet]. Take the
ing, and edit the default settings accordingly. time to find out how the smart device handles
For example, a device may ask for per- data and look under the privacy, security or
mission to know your phone’s location all the data-sharing options for the device to config-
time. If you believe this is unnecessary for ure things how you want them.”
PHOTOS THIS PAGE BY HARRY ROBINSON
Anne Robinson’s
newest device, the
Echo Loop, is a ring
with a button on it
that Robinson can
push to activate and
talk to Alexa while
she’s outside or in her
vehicle. She can open
the front door from
outside or call her
emergency contact
with just two clicks of
the button.
26 | PN February 2021HARRY ROBINSON
Anne Robinson demonstrates how she
uses Amazon Echo Show and Eufy, a
robotic vacuum, to clean her floors. She
says she has 18 smart devices in her home.
One super-user of smart devices is
Anne Robinson, current national direc-
tor of the Paralyzed Veterans of Amer-
ica Texas Chapter, an Army veteran and
level C4 quadriplegic.
Robinson’s home is set up with
numerous smart devices that enable
her to complete tasks independently,
such as turning fans on and off, adjust-
ing the lights and temperature and
answering the front door. Robinson is
diligent in protecting the smart device
security inside her home.
“I have 18 devices in the house
that allow me to control everything,”
says Robinson. “Keeping them safe is
definitely a task that we have to con-
tinually work on, as the threat is always
there. The mesh Wi-Fi system that we
use, [Amazon] Eero, is protected with
encryption and several other things
so that it is able to block any threats or
intrusions on that
system, as well as
HARRY ROBINSON
everything it’s
connected to.”
Throughout
Robinson’s house are
numerous Amazon
Echo Dots, which
she uses to listen
to audiobooks and
music, adjust the
lights and get other
people’s attention.
By pairing the
Ring Doorbell with
other devices, Rob-
inson can easily
view who’s at the
front door and talk
to the person with-
out having to open
the door. Anne Robinson uses Amazon Echo Show to see who is at the front door.
February 2021 PN | 27HARRY ROBINSON
Anne Robinson uses the
Amazon Fire TV Cube to control
her bedroom television.
Open Sesame door open-
ers allow her to open and
close doors herself, which
comes in handy for letting the
cat in and out.
The Amazon Fire TV
Cube is connected to her TV,
cable box, Blu-ray player and
security cameras. Through
voice control, she can switch
between devices, search for
movies, shop online and
complete any other tasks that
are normally done by using a
remote. She also has control
of her home’s alarm system,
which comes with additional
security measures.
“I have an alarm system
for the house, provided by a
local company. The Total Connect system is con- “If security is built into the devices,
nected via my iPhone to Alexa, the smart lock on the default security settings are usually not
the door and the garage door. I can set the alarm enough,” says Petros Efstathopoulos, global
system, turn off the alarm, unlock/lock the door, head of NortonLifeLock Research Group.
open/close the garage door, all with particular “Similarly, consumers are often unaware that
security measures to prevent unwanted people they can customize these default security
from using it. The Honeywell digital panel for settings to maximize security and privacy. In
the alarm system has a built-in speaker and your router settings, it’s a good idea to use a
microphone that allows emergency services to strong encryption method like WPA2 [Wi-Fi
talk directly through it instead of depending on a Protected Access 2] when you set up Wi-Fi net-
landline or cellphone, which is good in an emer- work access. This will help keep your network
gency,” Robinson says. and communications secure.”
Security experts also list passwords as one
Password Protection of the top areas that users are too lax with when it
Attacks on the data the devices collect and comes to security measures. Always change the
store online pose a significant risk. default password to something complex, unique
One way to help mitigate it is by enabling to that account or device, and avoid including
additional security protocols for your home any personally identifying information.
Wi-Fi. Set up a guest Wi-Fi for your visitors to “The most common issue leading to a secu-
use that will remain separate from the one con- rity incident is by far the fact that many users do
nected to your devices. Also enable two-factor not change the default password of devices, or
authentication for your accounts whenever pos- even if they do, they choose something short and
sible, such as requiring a one-time code to be simple,” says Efstathopoulos. “Most IoT devices
sent to your cellphone or email address to com- are as secure as the password you use for them.
plete the login process. Use strong and unique passwords when set-
28 | PN February 2021© GETTY IMAGES/TRAITOV
ting up accounts associated with connected
devices, along with Wi-Fi networks.”
How To Create A
In addition to creating a strong, unique
password, you should also change the default
Secure Password
name of your router. Some of the best practices
Check out these tips from the Global Head of NortonLifeLock
for passwords apply to naming routers, as well.
Research Group Petros Efstathopoulos on how to create a strong,
Choose a name that is unique and doesn’t con-
secure password.
tain any personal information.
“Give your router a name. Don’t stick
Q Be unconventional. Avoid common words anyone can find in
with the name the manufacturer gave it — it
the dictionary. Simply adding numbers to common terms, like
might identify the make or model,” Efstatho-
mainstreet12, isn’t any better. Hackers write programs to crack
poulos says. “Give it an unusual name not
these types of passwords first.
associated with you or your street address.
You don’t want your router name to give Q Be complex. The longer and more complicated your password
away any personal identifiers.” is, the harder it is to guess. Include numbers, symbols and mixed-
Another important factor to consider case letters. Efstathopoulos says Google suggests this technique:
with smart home devices is what will be your
backup plan if, and when, something goes Uses a special Mixes uppercase and Uses a
wrong. Prepare for how you’ll face such issues character lowercase letters number
as a power outage, spotty Wi-Fi or a device
malfunction. Not only do you need a plan for
what you would do without the functionality
the device provides, but make sure these issues M f T & J s m a f e1 a d
won’t put your device in an unsecure state.
Acronym instead of conventional words
“For wheelchair users especially, it’s
important to ask what happens if the prod-
uct malfunctions?” Dean says. “Does the
product still work even if my Wi-Fi doesn’t? Create a phrase known only to you and associate it with a
Is there a backup plan? Smart technology particular website. A phrase for your email could be, “My
used for accessibility, particularly when it is friends Tom and Jasmine send me a funny email once a day.”
combined with the wheelchair itself, needs Use numbers and letters to recreate it. “‘MfT&Jsmafe1ad’ is a
to have robust plans for failing safely and password with lots of variations,” notes Google.
keeping the wheelchair user independent Q Stay impersonal. Many people use birthdays, addresses or
and mobile no matter what.” other personal information to make passwords memorable. But
Unlike many household appliances, it is “alarmingly easy” for hackers to obtain personal information
smart devices can’t be part of a “set it and about prospective targets, according to Symantec. Avoid any-
forget” mindset. To maintain the security thing that refers to your name, nickname, the name of a family
of devices, regularly update all software. member or pet and any personal numbers like phone numbers,
These updates often contain security fixes. addresses or other information.
A common method hackers use is to target
Q Change them up. Passwords should be changed regularly to
known software vulnerabilities in devices
remain effective. How often? Online financial accounts should
that have not been updated.
be changed every month or two; corporate network passwords,
“Keep your devices up to date,” Efstatho-
every three to four months. For everything else, simply use good
poulos says. “Check the device manufactur-
judgment and don’t be lazy.
er’s website regularly for firmware updates.
Updates often include critical patches for Q Put it to the test. Online password checkers can evaluate a pass-
bugs or security vulnerabilities.” Q word’s strength.
February 2021 PN | 29Virtual reality is helping veterans with SCI/D in
St. Louis to improve their mental and physical health.
Virtual reality (VR) is a 10-plus hours from their families, and stuck in
quickly evolving technology that’s allowing bed trying to heal a pressure sore,” Luitjohan
veterans with spinal-cord injury and disease says. “Looking at those same four walls can be
(SCI/D) to experience a newfound sense of pretty difficult as far as your mental health,
by Brittany Martin independence and freedom. so by going in and being able to put an Oculus
With the help of recreational therapists headset on and give them the opportunity to
in the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) go fly with the Blue Angels or go scuba diving
St. Louis Health Care System, veterans have in Australia or socialize with other veterans
flown with the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels, visited through the meeting spaces on those programs
museums and battled with swords, all from kind of gives them an outlet to get out of that
their wheelchair. room in their head, while their body is still,
Recreational therapists Matt Luitjohan unfortunately, stuck in that room.”
and Charley Wright started the program
in November 2019 and were just beginning Starting The Program
to ramp it up when the novel coronavirus Wright watched a VR demonstration several
(COVID-19) pandemic shut it down. During years ago at the National Veterans Wheel-
that time, however, they acquired five Oculus chair Games and saw its potential for use in
Quest and seven Oculus Go VR headsets, and his clinic, but most of the technology was still
more than 20 veterans have benefited from experimental and the price was unattainable.
their use. As the technology evolved and prices came
“Several of our inpatient veterans are often down, the program at the St. Louis VA took shape.
on bedrest. They might be far away from home, While there are several types of VR systems on
as far away as Wichita [Kan.]-plus, so possibly the market, Wright says the Oculus headsets
30 | PN February 2021You can also read
