United Spinal Association
Encyclopedia
United Spinal Association is a nonprofit membership, disability rights and veterans service organization that was formed in 1946 as Eastern Paralyzed Veterans Association. The mission of United Spinal Association is to improve the quality of life of Americans with spinal cord injuries or disorders. Since 1946, United Spinal Association has been advocating for civil rights for people with disabilities with the hope of maximizing personal independence and quality of life for people with disabilities.
In 1970, Executive Director James J. Peters set out to expose the deplorable conditions on the spinal cord injury units at the Bronx Veterans Hospital, culminating in a Life
magazine expose, the creation of the US Department of Veterans Affairs
's dedicated Spinal Cord Injury Service and the building of a modern hospital that now bears Mr. Peters' name.
In conjunction with Paralyzed Veterans of America
, United Spinal Association helped found and continues to underwrite spinal cord injury research at the Yale Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research. This center remains under direction of Dr. Stephen Waxman.
United Spinal Association is recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs
as a veterans' service organization; as such, United Spinal Association is authorized to prepare, present and prosecute claims for veterans benefits from the local VA regional office level to the Supreme Court. United Spinal Association's veterans service program is entitled VetsFirst.
Among the group's past and present members are Lex Frieden
, Junius Kellogg
and Frank Genese
.
The United Spinal Association is rated 0 out of 4 stars from the charity evaluation organization Charity Navigator
. According to Charity Navigator, Paul Tobin, President & CEO, receives compensation of $184,000.
In 1970, Executive Director James J. Peters set out to expose the deplorable conditions on the spinal cord injury units at the Bronx Veterans Hospital, culminating in a Life
Life (magazine)
Life generally refers to three American magazines:*A humor and general interest magazine published from 1883 to 1936. Time founder Henry Luce bought the magazine in 1936 solely so that he could acquire the rights to its name....
magazine expose, the creation of the US Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
's dedicated Spinal Cord Injury Service and the building of a modern hospital that now bears Mr. Peters' name.
In conjunction with Paralyzed Veterans of America
Paralyzed Veterans of America
The Paralyzed Veterans of America is a veterans' service organization in the United States of America, founded in 1946. The organization holds 34 chapters and 61 National Service Offices in the United States...
, United Spinal Association helped found and continues to underwrite spinal cord injury research at the Yale Center for Neuroscience and Regeneration Research. This center remains under direction of Dr. Stephen Waxman.
United Spinal Association is recognized by the Department of Veterans Affairs
United States Department of Veterans Affairs
The United States Department of Veterans Affairs is a government-run military veteran benefit system with Cabinet-level status. It is the United States government’s second largest department, after the United States Department of Defense...
as a veterans' service organization; as such, United Spinal Association is authorized to prepare, present and prosecute claims for veterans benefits from the local VA regional office level to the Supreme Court. United Spinal Association's veterans service program is entitled VetsFirst.
Among the group's past and present members are Lex Frieden
Lex Frieden
Lex Frieden is one of America's pre-eminent disability activists and leaders of the independent living movement. He is Professor of Health Informatics and of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston. He is also Professor of Physical Medicine...
, Junius Kellogg
Junius Kellogg
Junius Kellogg was an American basketball player, coach, and civil servant. He was the first African-American to play basketball for Manhattan College....
and Frank Genese
Frank Genese
Frank Genese AIA is the Vice President for Capital Projects and Architect of the Garden at The New York Botanical Garden.A registered architect, Genese is responsible for the long term development and stewardship of the Garden's physical structures, including buildings, gardens and...
.
The United Spinal Association is rated 0 out of 4 stars from the charity evaluation organization Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator
Charity Navigator is an independent, non-profit organization that evaluates American charities. Its stated goal is "to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of America's largest charities."-About:...
. According to Charity Navigator, Paul Tobin, President & CEO, receives compensation of $184,000.