NPR - Has anyone here used their state's Voc Rehab services?

[mainepain]

About a year ago I decided to apply for my state's voc rehab services. Thinking that they may help me get back to work and/or school I really want to return to school. I'm not that far off from my Bachelor's Degree and it would be great if I could work in a medical laboratory.

Anyway, there was a year waiting list with only those most effected by a disability given first tier status and access.

Thankfully that time has now passed and I was accepted into the program.

I know every state is different but I'm curious as to how this program worked for those who used it. Did they help you to return to the work force or was it just a waste of time?

Just because I have a great desire to remove myself from the SSA rolls does not mean I may be able to. However my non employment is driving me crazy and I need to do something to occupy my time. If I don't do something soon I may end up in a rubber room :eek: :rolleyes: :p

[linniec]

I went back to school ---albeit in a different direction-- at two places, one of which was a waste of time, one of which was good. Now that I was trained, Georgia Rehab place me in a job with the state. It doesn't pay much, but I'm nowhere near ambitious...My diagnosis? Rehab is good.


Linnie

[Gimpy]

My daughter uses the Texas Dept. of Rehabilitative Svs ("DARS") and they are absolutely wonderful in trying to help her prepare for life. They offer psych counseling, drivers ed or help by getting her transportation, $100 towards eye glasses, they pay for community college or $3,000 towards other educational programs,( but will pay 100% of community college because it's so cheap here). They have employment services also. Because she can't attend full time from her learning disabilities, which is a requirement of theirs, they have allowed modification in her scheduling allowing her to attend just part time.

Just about anything one needs to be productive in the workplace they have some sort of help with. I think it's an amazing program, at least here in Texas it is.

Good luck, I hope your state has a program like this.

Linda

[Spiney]

My daughter is in college under Voc. Rehab. She is receiving full services and lots of support. Her first semester, it was discovered that her 2 year old son is legally deaf. Boy, her case manager was on that challenge immediately. She helped my daughter fill out the ap. for his disability and it was approved in record time. Therapists were in the home working with the child twice a week within two weeks. He is receiving all sorts of interventions and improving dramticly. My daugther could not have accomplished all of that and stayed in school without the help of Voc Rehab.

[Mark N]

Mainepain, I haven't gone through this but I do want to wish you the best. I hope it works out the way you want and maybe you will end up working in a medical lab.

[debhun]

My Hubby went thought it and it was a wast of time. But every state is not the same.

[mainepain]

Well I had my 2nd appointment with Voc-Rehab this week and it went quite well. Of course it's still alot of background questions that need to be answered.

I also had to take some assessment tests. IE; Reading comprehension, Mathematics. Looks like I may need a few math refresher courses :rolleyes:

They also want me to have a neuro-psychological evaluation done and to be honest, I'm quite hesitant. I'm sure it will help pin point my strengths and weaknesses but things like this in my opinion have a way of following you around for life. Perhaps it's just a fear of the unknown.

I know since being on pain medications and dealing with Lyme disease my memory is just not what it used to be. Sometimes I can't remember what I did 5 minutes beforehand. I also have issues with severe drowsiness and fatigue after eating. It's really unnerving. I need to get to the bottom of it before I return to the classroom.

In fact it is so bad I asked my pain doctor to take me off my pain medicines. wouldn't you know she thought it might be a bad idea. At least right now. Once I'm stable on my treatment plan for Lyme she might consider it. Sigh, oh well. I guess being tired is better than being in pain. I'm just worried something more serious may be cause and it's being masked by the medicines.

Take care