letter form Voc Rehab

[rabidcoyote666]

just received a letter from the Division of Vocational Rehabillitation stating that they were pleased to inform me that i am eligible for their services and have been assigned to Priority Category 2 which places me on a waiting list. i guess this means that i'm a bit closer to maybe getting some type of help to figure out what i will be able to do in the future. am just wondering how this may affect my case, as i go for Mediation on the 14th of next month. the letter also say that they have referred me to the Missouri Career Center also to what this means i don't know yet but probably isn't a good thing. any one who's been to this point with WC please give me some info to help figure out what i should do. thanx ya'll.

[billybubba]

Voc Rehab should not affect your case, as your limitations and need for VR have been established. This can be a natural part of the process. I am not familiar with the Missouri Career Center, but it sounds like a placement or re-employment firm that will work with you to get back into the work force.

That should not sound like a bad thing at all.

[Sithie]

I am waiting now to hear from Voc Rehab, and if I find out I am eligiable, I will be over the moon happy.

[Lilly]

Hi Sithie,
I hope your voc rehab will be more beneficial to you than my experience has been. VR has done nothing except inform me of a few job search skills, & test me to see what type of work I am suited for...my testing results for jobs within my qualifications, skills, interests and lifetime restrictions, does not allow me to seek employment within the fields I am suited for, or even like. I am afraid I am going to get stuck in a greeter job at some dept store, as I can still wave with my good arm! So far I have been in VR for for almost 9 months with over 200 resumes sent out in the mail, another 100+ over the net...and posting my resume in every job search site I can find....I've had 2 interviews out of all that.
All they care about is getting me employed somewhere, anywhere, doing anything. In my opinion, It sucks royal.
Good luck to you in your experience, Lilly

[Casey]

Im with Lilly on this. I just got out of Voc yesterday, after a year and a half. During that time I applied at 308 different jobs. I had 7 interviews, as soon as they saw I was on WC they told me they'd call me.
Also, I was advised by my lawyer that if I got one of these minimum wage jobs, that my chances of settlement with them is cut in half, and possible no settlement at all. Fortunately I belong to a union so I was on disability full pay, and I am a full employee. If I had been hired I would have been fired, taken a massive cut in pay, and lost my health insurance.
It truly was one of the most humiliating experiences in my life. Just pathetic.

[Sithie]

The guy I talked to, told me that if I qualified, they would send me back to school. I would like to get my CPA. Here in Colorado, VR is in no wat affiliated with WC, so I hope that is in my favor. After hearing ya'll experiences, I guess all I can do is pray.

[Lilly]

Hi Rabid, Sithie, and Casey,

Rabid....sorry I omitted your name on my post above and only adressed Sithie..apparently my meds were kicking in.
Casey....you hit the nail on the head...pathetic & humiliating is an understatement.
Sithie....If WC is not involved, you will no doubt have better luck in your VR.
Take care all, Lilly

[Casey]

I meant to include that. Here in Va, voc rehab is mandatory, so the whole reason for doing it (from the ic point of view, and according to my lawyer) is to catch the IW in non-compliance. They go out of their way to make it a miserable experience.
I have a co-worker who is retired, on ssi, and cant drive, and they have him in voc rehab (he has to take a cab). Another who hasnt even been released by his doctor to work, and they have him in voc rehab. Harassment, plain and simple.

[mousette]

My husband has been looking for work with the help of Voc rehab for a year now. he has applied for nearly 700 jobs. about a dozen have called back and as soon as they know he is disabled (RSD bilateral lower extremity) walks with a cane + pain meds. they either say they will call back or he doesnt meet requirements. As far as WC they did have PI follow him for a while and take pics to "catch" him. Not that they did, nice pic of my nephews wedding reception and him just sitting there. Good luck!

Mousette

[billybubba]

Casey, I have to respectfully disagree with you. I seriously doubt the legislators and state administrators crafted these programs with the intent of tricking the IW into non-compliance. Your attorney should be a little more responsible.

Now, my general opinion of any "government" program is very low. VR in your state may be a complete joke. I don't know. But "intent" and "incompetence" are entirely different things.

The idea of VR is simply based on the belief (one that I agree with) that any person is healthier and better off contributing to society rather than depending on it. The problem is, as Lilly's case appears to be, that there are not perfect solutions available. The sad fact is that accidents and injuries can be life altering, and no amount of money or effort will restore what some people once had. To find an interesting job within restrictions may take an incredible amount of effort and creativity, two things many state and government employees distinctly lack.

And in some sad cases there may be nothing a person can do. My personal feeling is I would rather have anywhere to go than nowhere, but I am not in that position and cannot judge.

But harrassment? No. Just our tax dollars at work.