VA Confers Olin E. Teague Award on PVA Member Dr. Rory Cooper

9/19/2002

From: David J. Uchic of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA), 202-416-7667

WASHINGTON, Sept. 19 -- Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) life member Dr. Rory Cooper received the Olin E. Teague Award from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during a Capitol Hill ceremony this week. Cooper is the 22nd recipient of the award. He was honored for his work directing the Center of Excellence for Wheelchairs and Assistive Technology at the University of Pittsburgh.

Cooper is a U.S. Army veteran who is recognized as one of the world's foremost authorities on wheelchair design. He is considered a pioneer in wheelchair racing and constructed the first racing wheelchair that shared no common parts with a standard wheelchair. As a doctoral student, he studied the ergonomics of wheelchair propulsion, which led to his examination of ways to reduce secondary disabilities resulting from repetitive strain injuries.

PVA, the University of Pittsburgh and the VA formed a partnership to support the Center's work. The researchers there test a variety of assistive devices and provide design expertise for businesses, consumer groups and government agencies. Laboratory personnel research issues that are daily concerns for disabled individuals, such as shoulder pain resulting from wheelchair use. By using high-tech measuring devices to pinpoint the source of these problems, Center staff can formulate solutions to minimize muscle strain/fatigue among wheelchair users.

The Olin E. Teague Award recognizes a VA employee or team of employees whose achievements have been extraordinarily beneficial to the rehabilitation of war-injured veterans.

"Dr. Cooper and his colleagues have made a positive difference in the quality of life for disabled individuals, particularly those who use wheelchairs," said John Bollinger, PVA deputy executive director. "I am grateful for the personal commitment he has made to this special population."

------ Paralyzed Veterans of America, a veterans service organization chartered by Congress, has for more than 55 years served the needs of its members, all of whom have catastrophic paralysis caused by spinal cord injury or disease. To learn more about PVA, visit its web site at http://www.pva.org.