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ST. LOUIS NEWS TODAY - Wednesday, June 16, 2004
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(JUNE 16, 2004) - Shown above is one of several special ramps outside the America's Center for athletes competing in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games to board Metro buses going to various veues.
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National Veterans Wheelchair Games Come to St. Louis
ST. LOUIS, MO. (PRNewswire), June 13, 2004 - More than 500 disabled veterans will compete in the largest annual wheelchair sports event in the world, the 24th National Veterans Wheelchair Games, from June 15 - 19 in St. Louis. Veterans from the recent conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq will join the competitors at the games this year.
"The National Veterans Wheelchair Games give our nation's disabled veterans the opportunity to once again enjoy rigorous athletic competition," said Secretary of Veterans Affairs Anthony J. Principi. "Every year these heroes demonstrate their talent, stamina and determination at this outstanding event, the same qualities they exhibited when helping preserve our nation's freedom. I'm especially pleased the games are in St. Louis this year, one of America's premiere sports cities."
The Wheelchair Games, presented by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), are open to all U.S. military veterans who use wheelchairs for sports competition due to spinal cord injuries, certain neurological conditions, amputations or other mobility impairments. The St. Louis VA Medical Center, VA's Heartland Network and the PVA Gateway Chapter are hosting the 2004 games.
"Athletes competing in the National Veterans Wheelchair Games represent the epitome of courage and determination," said PVA National President Joseph L. Fox Sr. "These men and women are role models not only for having served their country in the military, but also for their ability to rise above their disabilities in competition to achieve their personal best."
Sports are important in the therapy used to treat many disabilities. VA is a recognized leader in rehabilitation, with therapy programs available at VA health care facilities across the nation. For many injured veterans, the Wheelchair Games provide their first exposure to wheelchair athletics.
At the games, veterans will compete in track and field, swimming, basketball, weightlifting, softball, air guns, quad-rugby, 9-ball, bowling, table tennis, archery, handcycling, a motorized rally, wheelchair slalom and power soccer.
The 24th National Veterans Wheelchair Games begin June 15 with a wheelchair basketball demonstration at Kiener Plaza, as well as the 2004 Disabled Sports, Recreation and Fitness Expo. At the opening ceremonies on June 15, baseball hall of famer Brooks Robinson will deliver inspirational remarks, and St. Louis sports legend Stan Musial will also greet the athletes. Secretary Principi will address the veterans, along with PVA Executive Director Delatorro L. McNeil.
During the week, actress Bo Derek, Honorary Chairperson of VA's National Rehabilitation Special Events, will attend the games to visit with athletes and present medals. "Kids Day at the Games" takes place at East St. Louis High School on June 18, when more than 50 local children with disabilities will meet the wheelchair athletes, watch them compete and learn about the track and field events.
Many of the events will be held at St. Louis' America's Center, also the site for the opening and closing ceremonies. Other venues include Shaw Aquatic Center, North Oaks Bowl, St. Clair Lanes, East St. Louis High School, Forest Park, Winchester Trap & Skeet and the St. Louis Zoo.
Settlement Reached With Ford's
"Red Carpet" Leasing Program
ST. LOUIS, MO. (SLFP.com), June 13, 2004 - Attorney General Jay Nixon has joined forces with 38 other states to reach a settlement with Ford Credit which impacts more than 150,000 consumers who leased vehicles from Ford.
The "Red Carpet" leasing program came under the scrutiny of the multistate group when investigators discovered that early termination of vehicle leases resulted in charges that were sometimes higher than the actual balance owed on the lease. Dealers would discharge the lease obligation to Ford Credit, but would keep the extra amount charged to consumers, who were usually unaware of any of this because the dealers provide the payoff figure, not Ford Credit.
"Ford Motor Credit Company and its dealers have agreed to address these concerns and provide appropriate restitution for consumers affected by this deceptive practice," Nixon said in an announcement.
Ford agreed to change its Red Carpet lease contract language to clearly explain a consumer's rights when terminating a vehicle lease early. The change involves not only Ford Credit branches but also the practices at the Ford and Lincoln Mercury stores.
In a judgment signed by Jackson County Circuit Court Presiding Judge Jay Daugherty, 45 Missouri Ford dealers agreed to contribute a total of $179,500 to the settlement. An estimated 900 Missouri consumers will be eligible for restitution. Consumers who are notified by Ford Credit may qualify for a restitution check of $100. Ford Credit and 1,300 participating Ford and Lincoln Mercury dealers also will pay more than $6.2 million in legal fees and costs including a payment of $12,820 to the Missouri Merchandising Practices Revolving Fund.
Ford Credit also has agreed to pay for the administration of the settlement. Consumers for the years of 1991 through 1994 will receive direct notice from Ford Credit.
Ronald Wilson Reagan, 1911 - 2004 Photo courtesy of Alzheimer's Association
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Bond-Mikulski Alzheimer's Bill to Honor Reagan Legislation
ST. LOUIS, MO. (SLFP.com), June 13, 2004 - In a tribute to former President Ronald Reagan, U.S. Senator Kit Bond took to the Senate floor, Tuesday, June 8, to announce that he plans to join with Senator Barbara Mikulski in introducing legislation to increase federal resources to fight Alzheimer's disease.
"In a letter to the American people in 1994 Ronald Reagan announced he was one of the millions of Americans with Alzheimer's disease," said Bond. "One of the most courageous things Ronald and Nancy Reagan did was to announce publicly that he had Alzheimer's disease. It was their hope that in doing so they may be able to raise public awareness and encourage a better understanding of the individuals and the families that live with Alzheimer's."
The Bond-Mikulski bill will serve as a living tribute to President Reagan by doubling funding for Alzheimer's Research at the National Institute of Health; increasing funding for the National Family Care-giver Support Program from $153 million to $250 million; and re-authorizing the Alzheimer's Demonstration Grant Program that provides grants to states to fill in gaps in Alzheimer's services such as respite care, home health care, and day care.
The legislation will also authorize $1 million for the Safe Return Program to assist in the identification and safe, timely return of individuals with Alzheimer's disease who wander off from their care-givers; establish a public education campaign to educate members of the public about prevention techniques that can "maintain their brain" as they age, based on the current research being undertaken by NIH; and establish a $5000 tax credit to help with the high health costs of caring for a loved one at home.
Today, approximately 4.5 million Americans have Alzheimer's, with annual costs for this disease estimated to exceed $100 billion. Based on current trends, 11 to 16 million individuals could have this disease by 2050.
"Over the past 20 years tremendous progress has been made in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of Alzheimer's disease," said Bond. "It is now possible to diagnose Alzheimer's with more than 90 percent accuracy. New drugs and new treatments are being introduced each year. Investments in research have set the stage for scientific and medical advances to prevent or slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease. This research offers hope to all those suffering from the disease today," said Bond.
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