We're Running (and walking, and rowing and spinning) -- For Their Lives

Better Living's Cardio Relay event – helping DAV cut through the red tape for our vets

When a disabled American veteran comes home from serving our country, surviving the injuries they sustained during their service is just the first hurdle.

The next is the one that the system has placed between the veterans and receiving the benefits they're entitled to.

On October 14, Better Living Fitness Center is holding a cardio relay event at our Ann Arbor location to help the people who specialize in making this next hurdle a smaller one. 

You can sign up to participate -- and receive $20 off select athletic shoes from Tortoise and Hare Running & Fitness Center (and the chance to win additional fabulous prizes!) -- here.

According to Jim Dempsey, a former state commander for the Michigan Department of Disabled American Veterans, disabled US veterans face an almost literal mountain of paperwork before they can receive the benefits that they have earned – and that our government has promised them.

“A claim can very easily run as much as 200-300 pages of total documentation that the veteran has to complete, have others fill out, then collect, scan into a computer and file electronically,” Jim says.

Not only that, but it's not unusual for a veteran to have to file more than one claim in order to have all of their injuries recognized and qualified for treatment -- and all of the paperwork is so complex even trained specialists can have trouble understanding it.

Worse yet, the government agency that is supposed to serve our veterans – the Department of Veterans' Affairs – prohibits their employees from helping vets wade through all the paperwork.

Fortunately, our vets have DAV on their side.

As we said in our first blog post about our Cardio Relay event, Disabled American Veterans has been around since 1920. They are experts who guide our veterans, step-by-step, through the process and help insure our vets receive the treatment and financial support they're entitled to.

On Friday, October 14, we're going to be running – and walking, rowing, and spinning – to make the lives of Michigan's disabled veterans easier.

We'd like you to join us. In return for your 15 minute or more workout and donation to Disabled American Veterans, we'll make sure you get a great cardio workout, enjoy tasty treats, and receive a 20$ off coupon for select athletic shoes from Tortoise and Hare Running & Fitness Center. 

Here are the Cardio Relay event details again. You can pre-register in person at Better Living Fitness Center, by phone, by email, with this online form, or during your next session with one of our trainers.

It's easy, it's going to be a BLAST, and you're going to leave Better Living knowing you've done something to make yourself healthier -- and to make a disabled veteran's life easier.

Sign up today, and we'll see you on October 14!

Better Living Fitness Center Cardio Charity Relay event details

When: Friday, Oct. 14, 6:30 am – 5:30 pm
Where: Better Living Fitness Center, 834B Phoenix Drive in Ann Arbor
How to Participate: Pre-register to work out for 15 minutes or more on any of Better Living Fitness Center's cardio machines. While at the center, make a donation to the Michigan Department of Disabled American Veterans (DAV).
Cash, checks and credit/debit card donations will be accepted.

How to Register:

Online: Click here

By Phone:  734-747-0123

By email: Click here

In Person at Better Living Fitness Center, 834 B Phoenix Drive in Ann Arbor during business hours, OR

Register with your Better Living trainer either at the center or at the Merri Lou Murray Recreation Center.


*** Photo courtesy Phil Parker via Flickr.