Ohio BVR can't help

Well, went to my appointment and was told that BVR won't help out with the surgery....they help get a job, or get things you need for the job (special chairs, things like that) I am sooo dissapointed right now...

Hi Jennifer, I know what you mean about being dissapointed. I went to BVR in Feb. I wanted to know if they could help me get retrained to get a job because I physically can't do my job anymore. I was a preschool teacher. I can't get up and down with the kids anymore, let alone do physical activities with them. I told the caseworker that I wanted to get the surgery but I wanted to get some training first so I can get an office job. I was told to get the surgery and then come back and they will help me. I am getting ready and will meet the surgeon soon. As soon as I have the surgery and he releases me to work I will go back to BVR and tell them "Here I am, help me." I'm sorry you have been dissappointed, I hope things will work out for you. Becky D.

Good Luck Becky, WHen i went to the BVR in March to see about getting retrained i was told to go home and sit on my butt and start collecting disablity. I have been told that after i have my knee replaced i need to be retrained for a new line of work, so i thought i would get retrained early...wrong.....My counselor asked me why do i want to be retrained and make only $7 an hour, i just need to go live in government housing and forget the whole thing...I am fighting them right now, I had WLS in July and still need the knee replaced....I have restrictions which prevent me from going back to my old job and they still are ignoring me.....School starts in a few weeks and of course i am going to miss the boat again. I guess i am going to have to appeal in Columbus.....So good luck in getting their help..they want our tax money, but apparently they don't want to help alot of us......Patty

Oh man that is disappointing. I am getting ready to take my son to the BVR here in Columbus for mental illness issues! I wonder if they are going to tell him to sit on his butt and collect disability? He hasn't even been approved for that. It is frustrating. Why do they have these organizations if they aren't going to help anyone!

Ohio BVR did help me, but I was already helping myself. I was on SSI and had already had WLS...but I wanted to make sure I would still get treatment for my lymphadema so I could work. They helped me with a PASS program through SSI, which SSI never told me was an option. Once I got my job, BVR helped with some moving expenses and paid for repairs to my car. They wouldn't help with my college, because I already had a Bachelors degree and felt I was employable with that and didn't need to get my Masters. As a side note, several years ago my sister had a rare blood disease and wanted to become a teacher, and BVR told her she shouldn't pursue that because with her illness she wouldn't be able to be around germy kids all day. I think sometimes they just want to be realistic with people, but they shouldn't turn down people who WANT to work and just need help. Lord knows there are enough people out there trying hard NOT to work who can.

Well, at least there is hope that they might want to help. I know how that goes with people who do want to work vs people who just want to sit back and feel the world owes them something. Sometimes we just need a little helping hand here and there, and that's ok. Did you sister become a teacher? I hope she found something she loves to do.