I didn't expect VA providers to get in a van and drive to my house
When U.S. Army Veteran James Eaton couldn’t make it to his appointment, VA Western Colorado Health Care System’s orthotics and prosthetics team drove to his home, helping him overcome distance and travel hurdles.
Specialized care meets rural challenge
U.S. Army Veteran James Eaton faced a challenging situation: His car broke down, he was short on travel funds and, if he was going to make it to his appointment in Grand Junction, he needed to get on the road.
"It's an all-day event going to Grand Junction," said Eaton. "It's an eight-hour drive roundtrip."
His situation further complicated by mobility challenges due to limb loss.
"My appointment was to have my prosthesis adjusted and have a new socket installed because it didn't fit right and was rubbing," said Eaton.
His experience highlights some of the challenges rural Veterans living with limb loss face when accessing specialized health care.
Service and strength
Eaton served from 1980 to 1986 in the Army's 3rd Battalion, 87th Infantry Brigade.
As a mortarman, he operated both 60-millimeter light and 81-millimeter medium mortars, skills that required physical strength, strategic thinking and teamwork.
An exceptional response
With no public transportation alternatives, Eaton called Grand Junction VA Medical Center to cancel his appointment.
"I let Chad Kincaid know I was having car troubles," said Eaton.
When Kinkaid, the orthotics and prosthetics lab supervisor at Grand Junction VAMC, learned of Eaton’s difficulties, he used the newly acquired Mobile Prosthetic and Orthotic Care (MoPOC) van to connect Eaton to VA care.
"Mr. Eaton's prosthesis was malfunctioning, and he had planned to drive to Grand Junction for the final fitting of a new socket," said Kincaid. "However, when his car broke down, rather than having him deal with the stress of missing an appointment, I got in the van and saw him."
Currently, MoPOC operates in Grand Junction, Montrose and Glenwood Springs, primarily visiting VA community-based outpatient clinics.
However, in this instance, Kincaid drove four hours to Eaton's location in Cortez, Colorado, where he fitted Eaton's prosthesis with the new socket.
"An improperly fitting prosthesis can cause various problems, including pain, discomfort and damage to other body parts," said Kincaid. "It can also lead to frustration for the Veteran."
For instance, a prosthesis that is too tight can cause skin irritation, blisters and sores. In contrast, a loose-fitting prosthesis could slip or fall off, leading to injury.
“I didn't expect VA providers to get in a van and drive to my house,” said Eaton. “Chad and his team are the best. We need more of those vans, for sure. There’s more Vets in Cortez who would benefit from it.”
The impacts of mobile specialty care
According to MoPOC National Program Manager Daniel Abrahamson and National Program Coordinator G. Eli Kaufman, the MoPOC van is a tool created to improve specialty care access for Veterans who might otherwise be unable to receive care.
Kaufman said about 20% of Veterans served by the program said they would not have been able to access prosthetics and orthotics care without it.
This statistic stresses the crucial role of the MoPOC program in ensuring that no Veteran is left behind because of geographical or mobility limitations and highlights VA's commitment to providing accessible health care services for Veterans.
Vision for the future
Kari Pichora, a certified prosthetist orthotist, recently joined the Grand Junction team as its new MoPOC provider.
"I was drawn to the MoPOC program because of the opportunity to impact Veterans' lives," said Pichora.
Her interest was piqued after a MoPOC presentation at the American Academy of Orthotists and Prosthetists chapter meeting in March 2023.
Pichora's personal goals aligned with Grand Junction VAMC’s MoPOC program, which aim to address high patient non-compliance or failure to follow the doctor’s instructions, and no-show rates, by traveling to the Veteran.
Transportation for Veterans
Veterans needing orthotics and prosthetics care outside Grand Junction, Montrose and Glenwood Springs, can schedule a ride with Disabled American Veterans (DAV) or Veterans Transportation Services (VTS).
Schedule a DAV van ride or learn about other transportation options.
Call 970-242-0731 to schedule a ride with VTS.
Jesus Flores is a writer and editor on the VISN 19 Creative Task Force and a Marine Corps Veteran.