Paralyzed Veterans of America Gives So-Called ‘Watchdog’ AIP Report ‘F-Minus’
Report is unfair, flawed and insulting to our brave heroes.
Paralyzed Veterans of America is giving the American Institute of Philanthropy’s (AIP) recent report on veterans’ organizations an “F-minus.”
“The report gets an ‘F-Minus’ for being unfair, flawed, and insulting to our brave heroes,” said Randy L. Pleva, Sr., national president of Paralyzed Veterans of America.
“AIP gave Paralyzed Veterans a failing grade—despite the fact that the organization has been doing A+ work for all veterans for more than 61 years. We are also deeply saddened and disappointed that such reputable news media as ABC News and The Washington Post didn’t even give us a proper right of reply to the stories they ran. We believe that when all Americans know the facts, they are going to feel as outraged as we are.”
Here’s why the AIP report deserves an “F-Minus”:
It’s UNFAIR because the report gave Paralyzed Veterans—an organization that invests 73 percent of all donations received in our veterans—the same grade as an organization that invests only 2 percent. Is that fair? I don’t think so. And we meet the stringent criteria of the Better Business Bureau.
It’s FLAWED because it penalizes Paralyzed Veterans for having an emergency reserve fund. This is just good business—and it helps us to fulfill our obligations to our thousands of members, even when our nation is undergoing a crisis, such as September 11.
It’s INSULTING because Paralyzed Veterans of America is an organization led by paralyzed veterans for paralyzed veterans and all veterans. The truth is, in just six decades we’ve (the following are just some of the highlights of our work):
Helped to increase the life span—and the quality of life paralyzed veterans now enjoy—from zero to near normal, in just six decades;
Helped lead the charge for the Americans with Disabilities Act, making our nation more accessible for everyone;
Fought for and secured more than $3 billion in benefits for our brave service members and veterans;
Invested more than $50 million in research for a cure for paralysis.
Been the voice of paralyzed veterans in the White House, on Capitol Hill and throughout America; and
Pioneered wheelchair sports and have presented (along with the Department of Veterans Affairs) the National Veterans Wheelchair Games for the past 22 years, the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world.
“This holiday season we urge patriotic Americans to stand with Paralyzed Veterans. Go to PVA.org to support our A+ work,” Mr. Pleva said.
Watch a video statement from each Paralyzed Veterans member
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