Research - Rehabilitation - Re-Employment

Sgt. Shaft 04/02/2001

Dear Sgt. Shaft:
With regard to the issue of a new replacement Blind Rehabilitation Center (BRC) facility at Hines VA Hospital, Illinois, we are not asking for a new program. However, we are hoping for a new facility for a rather exemplary program that has been providing service to our veterans for more than 52 years. Over the last 20 years, it has become quite evident that a replacement facility was an absolute necessity even if it met ADA and VA CARF standards. The current 72-year-old physical plant is no longer viably functional to serve today's aging veterans and is critically lacking adequate space, placing considerable burden on the teaching program, its staff and the veterans. Could it be possible that the blinded veterans are being given the shaft?

As the National Service Officer of the Military Order of the Purple Heart I feel responsible in keeping vigil as to how our Midwest blinded veterans are being treated. Based on my experience as the NSO, I can truthfully tell you that the recommendations concerning the BRC, made by Dr. Joan Cummings, the current Veterans Integrated Service Network (VISN) 12 Director, are untenable. We ought not allow an ill-advised plan to destroy renowned class veterans services for our veterans who made many sacrifices in time of our own national emergencies.

Director Cummings indicated to Senators and Congresspersons that she would like to emulate a replacement facility that would be modeled on the nationally renowned Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. She feels that "by combining three rehabilitation programs (BRC, Spinal Cord Injured and Brain Injured) into one project, rehabilitative services can be offered to patients with multiple disabilities and provide them the opportunity to interact with others who have similar disability." I have yet to learn if there are any similarities. But I quickly became aware that 30% or more of the blinded veterans now being served have multiple disabilities from which they could benefit by interacting among themselves.

The training programs for each disability is quite unique and requires specific environments and instructions. Appealing though it may seem, putting these three distinct populations in the same training milieu is drastically ill conceived.

I am not discrediting the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago's significant accomplishments, but, in fact, it does not have a blind rehabilitation program and thus no comparison can be made between the two centers.

The Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center has been nationally and internationally acclaimed since early in the 1950s, influencing the establishment of blind program based on the Hines innovative curriculum. In large part this success has been due to the independent facility and program dedicated to the unique and special needs of the blind. It has impacted the establishment of blind programs based on the Hines innovative curriculum. Why then, is the Veterans Integrated Service Network 12 leadership wanting to tamper with the VA's most successful program which was the gateway to VA's excellence in blind rehabilitation service?

Instead, Dr. Cummings chose to delay any action by telling us that there are no funds for new constructions and resorts to her own ideas that, in the past, have failed and have been discredited by professionals years ago.

We sincerely request your support in addressing this important issue pertaining to the VA's pioneering pacesetter in blind rehabilitation services internationally.

Paul A. Mons, NSO
Military Order of the Purple Heart, U.S.A
Chicago, Illinois

Dear Paul:
Many years ago, now-VA Secretary Anthony Principi dedicated the Hines Blind Rehabilitation Center to John Malamazian. This dedication honored John's work as a staff member and Chief of this program from September 1, 1949, to January 1, 1983. This dedication commits those who follow to carry on his ideas of truth, honesty, charity, and compassion. He developed programs for all blinded veterans no matter in what condition of mind and body they came. His wholesome influence and exemplary teaching helped them to pick up their lives, with their heads high and direction clear.

John Malamazian epitomized, at its finest, the hospitality of greater Chicago to blinded veterans who came from all parts of the United States and its possessions. His every act of professional life honored the Blind Center and Hines.

The Sarge urges Secretary Principi to again honor John Malamazian by ensuring the new construction of this very vital blind rehabilitation center.

Shaft Kudos
A great pat on the back to House Veterans Affairs Committee Chairman Chris Smith (R-NJ) and his fellow Committee members for approving H.R. 811, the Veterans Hospital Emergency Repair Act, now scheduled for full House action before the spring district work period. H.R. 811 authorizes $320 million in fiscal year 2002 and $300 in fiscal year 2003 for major medical facility repair and construction projects. The bill directs the VA Secretary to determine the projects based on the recommendations of an internal capital investment board. The criteria would include possible seismic damage. With two exceptions, no project could exceed $25 million. The Hines blind rehab facility and the much needed Washington VA Medical Center project proposal to construct a 75,000-square foot one-story primary care addition to the existing VA Medical Center should be Secretary Principi's top priorities.

The Sarge also salutes the House Veterans Affairs Committee on its approval of H.R. 201, the Veterans Opportunities Act of 2001. Among major provisions in the bill: expanding the Servicemember's Group Life Insurance program to cover spouses up to a maximum of $100,000 and children to $10,000; permitting veterans to use VA educational benefits for a certificate program offered by an institution by way of independent study; authorizing the VA to maintain transition assistance offices overseas; and increasing automobile and adaptive equipment grants and the adapted housing grant for severely disabled veterans.

Send letters to Sgt. Shaft, c/o John Fales, P.O. Box 65900, Washington, D.C. 20035-5900; fax to 301-622-3330; call 202-462-4430 or email sgtshaft@bavf.org.

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