ACA Receives VA Contract to Establish Peer-Visit Program The Amputee Coalition of America (ACA) has received a contract
from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to establish
amputee peer-visitation programs at all 21 VA Veterans Integrated
Service Networks. According to an ACA press release, ACA will
"conduct 'train the trainer' seminars and integrate its peer
visitation model at VA hospitals and other facilities across the
country."
According to Paddy Rossbach, CEO of ACA, "The Amputee
Coalition's peer visitation program is rated as an effective
intervention for military and civilian individuals with limb loss.
In a satisfaction survey at Walter Reed Army Medical Center
[WRAMC], the amputee peer-visitor program was rated second overall,
out of 32 post-amputation interventions, by veterans of both Iraq
wars."
An ACA press release stated that a separate survey of civilians
following a post-amputation peer visit found that:
- 100 percent reported that peer visitation was helpful with
their adjustment to limb loss.
- 88 percent rated the overall quality of peer visits as
excellent.
- 85 percent learned where to find additional information about
limb loss.
- 73 percent felt better informed about limb loss as a result of
the peer visit.
ACA established the program at WRAMC, Washington DC, and Brooke
Army Hospital, San Antonio, Texas.
"The Amputee Coalition's peer visitor program is designed to
assist individuals and their families coping with a variety of
injuries and disease in addition to limb loss, including spinal
cord injury, traumatic brain injury, burns, and sensory
impairments," said Rossbach.
In another program funded by the VA, the ACA is developing
materials specifically for veterans of both Iraq wars with
polytrauma/blast-related injuries and their caregivers. The Amputee
Coalition has also received private funding to evaluate the
effectiveness of a caregiver peer-visitor program.
For more information, visit www.amputee-coalition.org 
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