When disabled veterans come home, the challenges they face can be enormous. Not only are they transitioning from the battlefield to being in garrison or at home, they’re also adjusting to a lifestyle that can involve assisted living conditions. Advocacy organizations such as the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) help make this transition easier.

At the PVA’s ‘Mission: ABLE’ 2016 Awards ceremony in Washington, DC, Defense Health Agency (DHA) director Navy Vice Adm. Raquel Bono expressed appreciation for the award recipients and the advocacy efforts on behalf of the PVA.

“I’m inspired when I look at what PVA is doing,” Bono said. “The recognition tonight is for all the sponsors, participants and supporters who believe even though a service member is severely injured in combat, they are indeed able. We know that in order to serve that service is above ourselves. At the DHA, we want to be able to take care of active duty military, their families and veterans. And that’s an extremely important mission.”

The ‘Mission: ABLE’ Awards recognize those who demonstrate extraordinary leadership and fight for expanded rights for the millions of courageous veterans, people with disabilities and Americans living with spinal cord injury or disease. The event coincides with September’s Spinal Cord Injury Awareness month.

“What PVA does for research, advocacy and employment for disabled veterans, has a direct application for how we shape our health care system,” said Bono. “Being here and celebrating the achievements of people who support those who sacrifice so much in defense of our nation is an easy decision. It reaffirms the direction of our mission at DHA and the Military Health System.”