The Elite Warrior Project

Joe Badzmierowski, Director of Field Services, joins me on the Elite Warrior Project podcast to talk about the Veterans Benefits that the Paralyzed Veterans of America has to offer our veterans and their family members. If you would like to become a member of the PVA go to www.pva.org to sign up for free.

Charles McCaffrey is the PVA's Director of the Veterans Career Program and Navy veteran. Learn about this awesome program that the PVA has to offer, how a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor can help,  and how you can access these benefits and more. If you are interested in talking with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor, you can email them at veteranscareerprogram@pva.org or if you have questions about become a member please contact the PVA at members@pva.org.

Ask an MS Expert: Veterans Program. This week I spoke with Dr. Turner and Maggie Kazmierski to discover strategies and resources to live your best life with MS as a veteran. We were also joined by Karla Clay, a veteran living with MS, to share how she found support in the VA community.This program is a partnership with the Veterans Affairs Multiple Sclerosis Centers of Excellence, the Paralyzed Veterans of America and the National MS Society. 

The PVA's Associate Director of Medical Services, Juliet Pierce discusses Dysphagia and swallowing challenges in MS. Juliet has been a multidisciplinary Registered Nurse for 30 years with expertise that includes ER/trauma, ICU, OR, and neurology. In 2013, she began a collaboration with Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) on behalf of Veterans with neuromuscular disease. In April 2021, she joined the PVA as an Associate Director of Medical Services. Growing up the daughter of a Marine instilled in her a lifelong desire to support our Veterans.If you are interested in becoming a PVA member, it's free, contact your local chapter to complete the application. National Service Officers specialize in MS, ALS, and Spinal Cord injuries.  The Eat-10 Scoring tool:https://bit.ly/3CcnGZH

Ask an MS Expert: Veterans Program. In this episode Dr. Benjamin Dons, a physical therapist at the VA, talks about the importance of exercise and how physical activity can help MS patients manage their symptoms as well as some of the resources available to Veterans through the VA and the National MS Society. 

Army veteran Anita Eicher-Pack shares her incredible story of being diagnosed with MS when there were no MS medications available and how her story unfolds with the release of Copaxone and other MS treatments. Anita was diagnosed after the completion of her military service and shares how the Paralyzed Veterans of America helped her submit a claim and get the VA coverage she deserved. 

Join me on this episode of the Elite Warrior Project podcast with Lindsey Scott. Lindsey shares her MS story as she talks about pregnancy and being a mom with MS, her challenges with the VA and how MS has changed her life. 

President of the Mountain States Chapter and National Director of the PVA, Izzy Abbass shares his MS story and helpful insights into the PVA and the services and resources they provide for Veterans living with MS. 

Join me and Air Force Veteran Thomas Zyliak as he shares his MS story and the challenges he deals with day-to-day. Thomas shares his passion for sports and how MS has affected his ability to play recreationally, as well as how he has overcome the difficulty of having to give up his love and passion for playing hockey.  

CEO and Founder of the MS Fitness Challenge, President and Executive Producer at Lyons Entertainment and former Marine, David Lyons joins me to talk about his MS journey and how it fueled his passion and life's mission to serve the MS Community. If you are interested in joining David's optimal body training program, click the link below to receive a discount when you sign up.Optimal Body Training Program - Discount Linkobpfitness.com/msfc20MS Fitness Challenge FB group https://bit.ly/3cmVXK4

Sgt. James J. Tichota, USAF 1985-1992, joined the USAF during his senior year of high school. James comes from a military family as both his mother and father are veterans as well as his grandfathers. He was a distinguished graduate from Professional Military Education and awarded the Presidential Unit Citation. He was serviced connected with MS in 2003. He currently lives in Council Bluffs, Iowa and raises his two daughters. He is a member of the PVA, the DAV and former executive board member in Omaha, Nebraska. He also served as Vice Commander and executive board member of the American Legion in Omaha. He participated in the Veterans’s Wheel Chair games in ‘08 and won 3 gold medals and a silver medal. His duty stations were as follows, Tyndall AFB 325th Med Group. Panama City, Florida. RAF Greenham Common AFB 501 st Tactical Missile Wing, Newbury, Berkshire, United Kingdom. Barksdale AFB, Bossier City, Louisiana, 2nd Medical Group.  

Join me and Lindsey Knowles PhD, a psychologist and National MS Society Research Fellow at VA Puget Sound and University of Washington to talk about mood changes in MS and the services available to Veterans living with MS and how to connect to those services within the VA system.For other resources and support groups you can go to the MS Society's website:www.nationalmssociety.org

Air Force Veteran Jayne McCarthy shares her story of being misdiagnosed with a running injury for 7 years as she fought through the uncertainties and overcame obstacles to care for her two young children. Her story provides some excellent insight into the complexities of MS and what you can do to help yourself along the way whether you are struggling for a diagnosis like she was or just learning to cope and live with the changes of MS as a wife, mother, and veteran. 

After 16 years of service in the U.S. Army, Retired Warrant Officer Terry Flood shares his incredible story with MS, his struggles with acceptance and communication about the disease, and how he overcame those struggles to help him become a better person and live a purpose driven life despite MS. 

Whether you are newly diagnosed or you have been living with MS for many years, the National MS Society is a great resource to help you navigate the illness and live a better a life. Join me as I talk with Suzanne Bachman, an MS Navigator as she explains the MS Navigator program and how they can help you, your family, and caregivers navigate the complex world of resources, programs, and support available for those living with MS.Contact an MS Navigator:Phone: 1-800-344-4867Email: nmss@nmss.orgWebsite: https://www.nationalmssociety.org

Join me as I share my story and experiences with MS, the Medical Board Evaluation system that I went through while on Active Duty in the Navy, and how the Veteran's and Active Duty Military MS Group became to be and what we are all about!Interested in joining the group or sharing your story as a veteran with MS as a guest on our podcast ?Email me at:elitewarriorproject@gmail.com

The VA healthcare system can be daunting and difficult to navigate especially if you are a veteran with MS, which often requires specialty care. The MS Centers of Excellence (MSCOE) are coordinating centers that were developed to ensure that veterans with MS were getting the proper care and treatment needed within the VA healthcare system.Dr. Wallin, the East Director of the MS Centers of Excellence and Maggie Kazmierski, Senior Social Worker and Spinal Cord Injury Clinic Coordinator discuss important information about the specific services and resources provided by the MS Centers of Excellence. If you would like more information about the MSCOE you can visit their website at:www.va.gov/ms

A podcast designed for veterans and active duty service members diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Get ready! The first episode drops March 1st.