On the 1st of November 2012 the Texas Disabled Veterans Association was able to donate WiFi Service at Audie L. Murphy Veterans Hospital in San Antonio Texas. This state of the art high speed service is now available to our Spinal Cord Injury Unit through four routers that are place strategically so that service can reach our Inpatients, Outpatients, Lobby Area, Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Recreational Therapy. Family members can also use this system while they wait for their loved ones. Because of Budget constraints the VA could not afford to do this for the entire hospital so by networking and with the help of some very thoughtful people in the VA, all the way to the Director (Marie Weldon), it happened. This social connection is so very important because such a large part of our population is bed bound while they are on the unit. So we all here at TDVA give out a special thanks to all those people involved.
Also TDVA installed Wi-Fi service on April 3, 2015 for the first floor recreation room, now Veterans can use this high speed service from a number of lacations that are close by. We also added WI-Fi on June 28, 2013 at the VA Polytrauma Transitional Rehabilitation Program (P.T.R.P) for veterans recovering from traumatic brain injury. This center is a must for those Heroes transitioning back into what we know as normalcy. The Staff at the VA reached out to us and we had to make this social connection possible. Any time you see this sign you know the internet is just a click away.
TDVA Comfort Program
TDVA has helped thousands of Veterans with comfort items with the help of the Audie L. Murphy VA Volunteer Services, DDS George Metz and Staff of Kendall Woods Dental 25 FM 3351 South Boerne, TX (pictured above). We are able to reach hospitalized and homeless Veterans alike. The program provides items that we so often take for granted.
This Program is managed at the Veterans Administrative Volunteer Services San Antonio, Texas by Joyce Brown Administrative Chief (shown above). Some of the items that are provided are: hygiene items that people might need while they are an inpatient, tooth brushes, tooth paste, dental floss and tote bags. We at TDVA donate monies for the remainder items like razors, shampoo, and body wash, also bus tickets for Homeless Veterans to get to and from their appointments. With the cuts already affecting services at the VA we at TDVA applaud all those involved. Our aging veterans of all eras are always in great need.
TDVA Computer Program
The Texas Disabled veterans Association(TDVA) launched the Computer Program for Veterans on 20 May 2009. In an effort to continue its empowerment to fellow veterans, the TDVA has evolved its service-oriented resources to include access to online computer technology by providing laptop and desktop computers acquired from donations and refurbished by fellow veterans.
Many veterans have returned back to school along with seeking new employment opportunities with the new tools they have been given. The TDVA computer program collaborates with American Legion Post 179 (New Braunfels, Texas), The National Cristina Foundation, The San Antonio Coalition of Veterans, and ShurMed EMS in acquiring donated computers. Computers are refurbished and reprogrammed and installed with the latest antivirus and basic user friendly software by Joseph Forbes of SNX Consulting (Computer Expert).
The TDVA and the Spinal Cord Injury Unit Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Clinic created a small computer lab for in-patients and out-patients to have ready access to a PC. The computer lab has three DELL Desktops with Win XP software, open office, voice-recognition software, and a job resume writing program. TDVA recently removed the three out dated DELL Desktops and replaced them with one updated desktop with Windows XP software, Open Office, Voice-Recognition Software, Job Resume Writing Program, Wi-Fi ready and a New Flat Screen Monitor.
As of February 8, 2016 84 desktops and laptops have been given to veterans since May 2009. TDVA continuously seeks donations of desktop and laptop computers from corporations and individuals, our goal is to keep veterans communicating online continuing education, managing finances, and communicating with their families and friends.
TDVA Cart Program
TDVA provides refreshments each month from 10:00 A.M. – 11:30 A.M. at some of the following clinics: 2C (Surgical), (Urology), 1G (Medical), (Orthopedics) and others. The cart is filled with low-fat & sugar-free snacks, bottled water, diet & regular soft drinks, along with a variety of chips and crackers. The TDVA was overwhelmed with requests for bottled water but welcomed by even bigger smiles. This program and the support of the VAVS has quickly become a major success story by providing outpatients the opportunity to eat and drink a little something while waiting in line for their appointment. The TDVA would like to thank all our military veterans for their selfless service to this great nation as well as the support from VA Volunteer Services.
