I had seen this vocational rehabilitation counselor about 2 & half months ,ago. She had told me i would be eligible for grants had to maintain at least a 2.0 average in order for the government (federal or state to pay for my schooling. She really never got into what assets I had saved. Does any one else know the laws about going back to college under the vocational rehabilitation program in the state of Pa. I would try as best I can. My main concern is being able to handle the physical aspect of going to school not as much as the courses to take. I have an Associates degree of Applied Sciences due to the way I went to school. I also went through a hospital based program for nuclear medicine technology because of the money factor & there being a program close to where i live. I'm registered as both & radiological technologist & nuclear medicine technologist. I am disabled as of July 2004 due to my lumbar spine injury. The problem with the workmen's compensation system in Pa. is they don't give a disabled person the incentive to still persevere .They expect someone who is a educated person to work say a job that pays minimum wage compared to for example if one's hourly wage was $20.00/hour. Who would want to physically stress themselves out with a messed up lumbar spine that has effected there flexion & extension of one's lumbar spine & functional ability.Besides having a severe case of fibromyalgia. Even though I'm on a number of pain management meds for example long acting narcotics like methadone,oxycontinin, kolonopin, restroil at bedtime for a sleep disorder, effexor xr 75mg to increase natural pain killers, 350mg Soma twice per/day & endocent for pain as needed. i had functioned without any problems at work for 13 years taking all the medications except the Soma & endocet 5mg(percocet) twice a day as needed. I have tried aquatic therapy & can only get to a certain point but can't get to the point where i gain my flexion & extension & functional ability back. I would try any thing to improve but my pain care doctor tells me there is nothing more that can be done. He had recommended inversion therapy & had used the inversion table for a few days & my pain level increased to the point my heart rated increased some & I had to go on bed rest for a week.
Does anyone have any more knowledge about vocational rehabilitation program in the state of Pa. since it varies from state to state. I've been told that for example in the state of Maryland really do send disabled workers back to work & find you a job that pays comparable to what one ways making before they became disabled. yet my attorney says that vocational rehab in the state of Pa. is a misconception of helping getting one education & a job . Any input negative or positive is well worth it Thanks for listening

Hi,
I too am pursuing assistance through DVR. While I do not live in PA I do have some knowlege about the system in general. You stated:

"She had told me i would be eligible for grants had to maintain at least a 2.0 average in order for the government (federal or state to pay for my schooling"

Are you ineligible becuase of your GPA or for some other reason? If it is becuase of your grades that is something you can appeal. If it is for some other reason I would get clarification and ask your attorney about it.

"My main concern is being able to handle the physical aspect of going to school not as much as the courses to take"

The function of DVR is to help you find sutable employment based on your needs. If you have not already addressed this concern w/ your counselor I suggest you do. If this has not been done you should consider speaking to their supervisor. The counselors primary objective should be to determine your strengths and weaknesses in relationship to your carreer goals.

"They expect someone who is a educated person to work say a job that pays minimum wage compared to for example if one's hourly wage was $20.00/hour"

Sadly, many programs such as DVR have had their funding drastically cut. I have been told that these shortages make it difficult to address the needs of all applicants and much of what is available is used on those that need it the most. You seem to have a strong background in the healthcare field; your experience & education may put you in a less needy category which might be preventing you from acsessing the programs you desire.

Good luck!

and making $450 per 12 hr travelling shift

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I would greatly appreciate where is the best place to start for a disabled healthcare worker or any disbaled person to find a job using the credentials & nuclear medicine technologist's job description. I wish I had the answer otherwsie i wouldn't be writing this message. There must be other people who have fibromyalgia & lumbar discogenic syndrome & TMJ syndrome or one of these who have got another job related or not realted to the healthcare field. I'm a 44 year old male. I have written a message here before. The major problem is finding what job I would be able to do with a very bad lower back. I worked with fibromyalgia for 13 years ,tmj Syndrome longer & a lumbar spine injury(9 years) until April 2002. Where my pain mangement doctor had stated my lumbar spine was abused in his deposition. I am not afraid to work .But there is alays the money aspect that comes to mind for paying for further education if I take that path .I can always use my previous job description to do a job I can possibly do. I'm really am concerned about my future especially being single & having worked before with a number of narcotics & other meds i was able to function fine. Up until April 2002 when i had waken up one morning & could not straighten up & have been told no job exists that my pain mangement doctr is aware of that I can do. Even though I'm not about to throw the hat in yet. I live in n.e Pa. Who have you gone to for the help I need?