Vocational Counseling

[katicabogar]

W/c put me back to Voc Rehab the second time, after first agency whom they hired, recommended pension.
Now the strange thing is, new Voc Counselor found me transferable skill just as w/c ordered and guess what...all three are the same positions under different names what I used to do for 17 years and how I got my hand injuries(carpal tunnel,tendonytis,trigger fingers).
That was:medical biller, collector rep(collected $$ from insurance co.) and medical billing clerk.
I was permanetly disapproved for all these positions in the past by my AP and by two Fce's. Two IME quacks said worsening condition is due to my own doing??? and therefore I am able to do everything, including lifting 50 pounds. My new AP also disapproved, so now what's next?
I thought I just share this as I don't really find enough postings here about the Voc Rehab process.

[AQA]

I think the reason there is not much about the voc. rehab. Is because it to is different from state to state. For example, Texas wc has nothing to do with voc. rehab.. I am persuing it on my own.

Please continue to post about your experience.

[backache]

If you find anything out please post it. Thanks

[Lilly]

Kat,
I'm currently at the end of my straw with voc rehab too. I hope to heck there IS NOT a round two for me in the future! More than 15 months has been enough for me. Actually it is a joke IMO, and I cannot believe they spend their money on the service. I know it actually must help some people, but doubt the percentage rate of success is higher than the the non successful percentage rate. I find it totally degrading and appalling to be expected to find a min wage job flippin burgers, passing out pretzel samples in a mall or workin at a second hand store for the next several years of my life until retirement age, just so WC doesn't have to pay me as much! It's total B.S. !!
Lilly

[katicabogar]

Lilly,
I know how you feel. It is very sad how they treat you, but I hope your ordeal will be over soon. Do you have attorney? You mentioned earlier your settlement is coming up soon?
In my case, I just can't believe w/c is willing to spend thousands again on a new Voc Firm who finds same type of occupation for me where I got hurt in the beginning.
Regarding re-training, I know it might work for younger people, but not for me. I am almost 55, by the time I finished sometype of training I would be 56. So who would hire a 56 year old woman with a technical college degree of 10 months without experience? They would spend only $4000.00 max on tuition. Also, I am able to use my hands for short period of time, but no longer than 10 minutes and not without pain(I am always in pain). So what type of work could I do with limited use of hands?
I hope everything turns out well for you and very soon. I am in this hell for too long, too, more than three years now and tired of it, but I will never give up the fight.

Wishing you a very Happy New Year.
Kate