Submitted statement to Congress recommends alternative treatments and encourages adaptive sports, among other options.

The American Legion submitted a Statement for the Record for a congressional hearing about “Life After Limb Loss: Examining VA Amputee Prosthetics Care” on Nov. 19.

The statement, which focused on three veterans who are amputees, was provided to the House Subcommittee on Health Committee on Veterans’ Affairs. It encouraged VA to engage in research and innovation that results in such veterans being able to mobilize independently. Download the full statement here.

One of the three veterans’ stories included in the report was Air Force veteran Adam Popp, who appeared on The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast earlier this year. In the episode, Popp describes his rehabilitation after his injury and how he has thrived as an entrepreneur and athlete since.

The Legion’s statement concluded by referencing alternative treatments and encouraging adaptive sports, among other options.

“The lack of age/gender-appropriate resources for young veterans must be addressed,” it read. “Alternatives to opioids must be made readily available to veterans who suffer from spinal cord injuries and chronic pain. Access to alternative treatments for polytrauma — such as PTG virtual reality therapy, adaptive sports and recreation prosthetics — must be increased and additional research funded. VA and DoD need to work more closely in helping to ease the burden of transitioning servicemembers who require prosthetic maintenance, training and rehabilitation.”