Spokane VA Medical Center

Today marks the 24th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act. More than 5 million Veterans live with service-connected disabilities, comprising 30% of Veterans. VA is working to eliminate treatment gaps and barriers to reporting sexual harassment and sexual assault.

What's your favorite summer Olympic Game? Drop it in the comments!

The 2024 Summer Olympics, officially the Games of the # # Olympiad and officially branded as Paris 2024, begins today, July 26, 2024, and runs through Sun, Aug 11, 2024.

Although the ancient Games were staged in Olympia, Greece, from 776 BC through 393 AD, it took 1503 years for the Olympics to return. The first modern Olympics were held in Athens, Greece, in 1896. The man responsible for its rebirth was a Frenchman named Baron Pierre de Coubertin, who presented the idea in 1894.

His original thought was to unveil the modern Games in 1900 in his native Paris, but delegates from 34 countries were so enthralled with the concept that they convinced him to move the Games up to 1896 and have Athens serve as the first host.

Today, the Summer Olympics have increased in scope from a 42-event competition program in 1896 with fewer than 250 male competitors from 14 nations, to 339 events in 2021 with 11,420 competitors (almost half of whom were women) from 206 nations.

London was the first city to host the Summer Olympic Games three times. As of 2022, Paris, Los Angeles, Athens and Tokyo have each hosted twice; Paris will host for the third time in 2024, followed by Los Angeles which will host the Games in 2028.[2] Only five countries have participated in every Summer Olympic Games: Australia, France, Great Britain, Greece, and Switzerland. Australia, France and Great Britain have won at least a medal at every edition of the Games, with Great Britain as the only one to win gold each time. The United States leads the all-time medal count at the Summer Olympics, and has topped the medal table on 18 separate occasions—followed by the USSR (six times), and France, Great Britain, Germany, China, and the ex-Soviet 'Unified Team' (once each).

The 2028 Summer Olympics will be held in Los Angeles, California, United States, making it the third city to host the Games three times (the other times being 1932 and 1984), with the U.S. hosting the Summer Olympics for the fifth time.

The 2032 Summer Olympics will be held in Brisbane, Australia, which is the third city to host the Games in Australia and the fourth south of the equator.

For an in-depth historical overview of the Summer Olympic Games, visit https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summer_Olympic_Games

July is Disability Pride Month. As VA honors disabled Veterans, it’s important to note that disabled Veterans are disproportionately impacted by sexual harassment and sexual assault. It’s crucial to provide support, raise awareness, and show solidarity for our Veterans.

New or soon-to-be moms! VA offers several maternity items that may surprise you. From nursing bras and breast pumps to maternity support belts and pelvic floor devices, VA can help. We even offer adaptive baby cribs for parents that need a different set-up at home.

Speak to your VA maternity care coordinator to get connected to devices to help make your first few months of motherhood a bit easier!
www.womenshealth.va.gov/topics/prosthetics.asp

Many people with schizophrenia can live full lives when their condition is correctly diagnosed and treated.

It’s important to seek help as soon as possible. Find VA treatment: MentalHealth.va.gov/schizophrenia/index.asp

Being prepared for a su***de crisis - VA News Be prepared for a su***de crisis before it starts by becoming familiar with VA’s programs, initiatives and network of support.

How to have more fun in the sun: UV Safety Awareness Month - VA News July is UV Safety Awareness Month, and it’s important to know that anyone, no matter their skin tone, can get skin cancer.

One of the major benefits for women Veterans using VA health care is gaining access to a team of professionals who are dedicated to helping coordinate your care and advocating for your needs! Women Veterans have access to women’s health primary care providers, women Veteran program managers, maternity care coordinators, mental health providers, and LGBTQ+ care coordinators in one integrated health care system.
www.womenshealth.va.gov

As a Veteran, you might experience difficult life events or challenges after leaving the military.

VA has resources to address the unique stressors and experiences you may face.

Use VA resources: Mentalhealth.va.gov/mental-health-recovery/resources.asp

July is !

Veterans, service members, dependents, and Gold Star Families receive free access to more than 2,000 federal recreation areas, including national parks, wildlife refuges, and forests. 🌄🌲🌊 https://www.nps.gov/planyourvisit/veterans-and-gold-star-families-free-access.htm

National Park Service - thank you!

Vietnam War Combat Veteran Greg Prouty is sharing his determination and gratitude with VA’s local Prosthetics and Physical Therapy teams at Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center. “This is as good as it gets. I wish I would have come to you sooner,” said Prouty, a Spokane native who received his new prosthetic foot assembly recently, and says he couldn’t be happier with his health care at Mann-Grandstaff VAMC in Spokane. WA. “One of the best health care facilities I have ever been in anywhere!”

Prouty, a Purple Heart recipient, was a “gunner’s mate” on a Navy patrol boat in the brown water and rivers of South Vietnam 1967-’68. “Give a kid a big gun and a fast boat and we can pretty much take it from there,” he smiled while sitting outside the Prosthetics lab and Physical Therapy outpatient clinic on the VA campus. “No pain for the first time in two-years,” he said. “I wish I could say more than ‘Thank You’ because that isn’t enough. I’m so grateful to VA for the help and encouragement in giving me my life back.”

With the helpful guidance of Physical Therapy technician Taylor Derrick and the expertise of John Vetter, CPO, Prouty’s new foot-prosthetic will take some time getting used to, but he says it’s a mission he’s up to the challenge for! Oh, and by the way, Prouty boldly states, “Yes, I would do it all over again. I love my country and I am proud of my military service!”

New MVP study highlights value of diversity in clinical research, leads to new genetic discoveries - VA News The MVP study underscores the positive impact of diverse representation in genetic research, leading to advances in Veteran population-specific care needs.

Prepare now for VA's secure sign-in changes coming in 2025.

https://www.va.gov/initiatives/prepare-for-vas-secure-sign-in-changes/

We understand the emotional and physical toll a mastectomy can have on women Veterans. Our health care goes beyond breast cancer screening or treatment—we also provide support in your recovery journey. VA offers post-mastectomy options like breast reconstruction, prostheses, mastectomy bathing suits, and wigs for post-chemo hair loss or alopecia. Speak to your VA health care team to connect with VA Prosthetic and Sensory Aids Service.
www.womenshealth.va.gov/topics/prosthetics.asp

MVP: Another chapter in VA’s history of medical research - VA News MVP is part of VA's history, using data to study conditions that matter to Veterans.

Foreign Medical Program for Veterans on the go - VA News The Foreign Medical Program covers Veterans with service-connected disabilities who are traveling or living abroad.

Our busy lives can make it hard to keep up with loved ones and friends. Make time today to pick up the phone and check on a buddy. You never know the positive impact one call can make.

Navy Veteran Julie Daughety found that a daily mindfulness practice reduced her stress level. As she describes in this video, she used the power of her mind to improve her mood, which improved her relationships with family members and helped her Live Whole Health.

Whole Health: Power of the Mind - Julie US Navy Veteran Julie Daughety talks about how her Whole Health experience practicing mindfulness, meditation and stress management techniques improved her o...

Stay hydrated! 💧

Summer is here. Stay hydrated. - VA News Keeping hydrated helps to control body temperature, support brain health and helps with reducing joint pain.

We recognize that VA health care can feel like a giant puzzle, especially for women Veterans. Need help putting the pieces together? Call 1-855-VA-WOMEN to speak to a real person who can help you understand what you’re eligible for and how to apply. VA accepts applications by phone, by mail, in person, or with the help of a trained professional. Learn more below to start the process.
www.va.gov/health-care/how-to-apply/

Spokane’s Mann-Grandstaff VA Medical Center and the team serving patients are happy to help the community even more today… as we host a blood drive on campus until 2:00p.m. this afternoon. Everyone is welcome to step onboard the air-conditioned blood mobile to donate… whether as a “walk-in” or reserving a time by scanning the Q-R code in the flyer. Many thanks to Retired Air Force Nurse Louanne Housmann for volunteering her time to answer questions and assist donors today. That’s her seated with Vitalant’s Susan Brudnicki who organizes corporate blood drive events. Onboard, is “Colbie” who assisted VA Social Worker Sarah Martin, working with her laptop, while donating on the bus today. VA is honored to serve our nation’s Veterans… as well as showing our “team spirit” with employees, staff, and patients willing to donate to help others!