So you think you've seen some bad parenting?

[SamIam]

Originally Posted by monster

Sam, can you not request a different counsellor/substitute?

Originally Posted by monster

Does the state lady know the reason you don't have the paperwork? Can you ask her advice on how to get it given the circumstances. When you say she is mad at how, how was this manifested? Did she yell at you? or send you a snippy email?

Awww, Monster, I appreciate your concern. Since the state of Colorado has decided to cut frills like services to help people get back to work, my town has been left with a single state voc-rehab person who drives 50 miles over from the adjoining county to see clients here once or twice a week. This person is very burned out and over-worked, needless to say.

When I called the main office today, I asked the man I spoke with if I just couldn't be assigned to someone in Durango and that I was willing to make the 100 mile round trip drive if I could just get some help. The guy said he'd bring up my concerns to my voc rehab person if she ever shows up. Great!

So, I will just call again tomorrow and the day after that and the day after... Eventually they may get so tired of being pestered by me that they'll give me an appointment. "Some day my prince will come..." Yeah, right.

When it comes to the Federal government, it's just as bad. The Fed worker there is just one woman who represents the entire Rocky Mountain region. She single-handedly is taking on Montana, Wyoming, Colorado and a bunch of other states. I have to fill out this 60 page - literally - plan with the help and feedback I supposedly have gotten from state voc rehab and the results of my most recent med evaluation.

In theory, there is a woman who works as an outside advisor to the Queen of the Western Feds, and this advisor could also give me help coming up with a voc rehab plan. Unfortunately, the advisor's sister died last week, and she has had to take off time for the funeral and family matters and probably crying her eyes out. I have tried to cut her some slack, but I've got to get help from SOMEONE. I am incapable of wading through all the paperwork and jumping through all the hoops on my own.

The Queen of the Western Feds sends me warnings on official government stationary that I have run past the time normally allocated to get into the Federal job program I'm trying for. If I don't meet the deadline, I can't apply again for 6 months and the Feds will probably come up with a few other penalties, as well.

Finally, given the upcoming shoot out between the Gang of Twelve in Congress this fall, I honestly wonder if its even worth trying to apply for assistance. Medicaid alone is going to take a serious hit - everyone I know in the Colorado Cross Disability Coalition is pretty certain of this, and those folks know more about the politics of disability issues then just about anyone else - around these parts, anyhow.

Aren't you glad you asked? Sorry for the rant, but I am beyond frustrated these days.

[monster]

Originally Posted by SamIam

The Queen of the Western Feds sends me warnings on official government stationary that I have run past the time normally allocated to get into the Federal job program I'm trying for. If I don't meet the deadline, I can't apply again for 6 months and the Feds will probably come up with a few other penalties, as well.

So when she did this, did you tell her why and request help?

[SamIam]

I just got off her voice mail. It doesn't give you much time to explain stuff, but I did the best I could. I'm sort of scared of the Queen of the Western Feds. I made my call to her just barely in the nick of time. I kind of imagine her swooping down on me on a broomstick and me having to dissolve her with the water from my garden hose.

On the plus side, the Adviser to the Queen of the Western Feds finally contacted me today to set up a time when we can drown ourselves in government paperwork. She didn't reject my ideas as of what to do out of hand. I told her I wanted to be a Campground Host, and she says that may be possible. I guess I can get special funding through my Social Security Account that would help me buy a travel trailer as long as its work related. Which it would be, of course.