Question:
Any idea what the

I'm twenty-one years old, and I work about 70 hours per week, so I'm not ever here to talk to the man from Vocational Rehab, so I'm having my mom talk to him. He has called once already, and my mom described him as an overly concerned man. She said they spoke for over an hour about different things relating to them paying for my surgery. He was extremely helpful, and wanted to do this for me, but he said he has never dealt with a request of this sort (state of WV, by the way), and he didn't know where to look to find a "clause" that would allow them to pay for my surgery. I have looked at other people's comments here on Vocational Rehab and 5 or 6 qualifying traits they had to possess to get the surgery, however my friend from V.R. here in WV doesn't seem to have these same clauses. Is there anything that anyone can tell me that I can tell my mom to tell him that would clear the air on something he could possibly be missing in order to get it for me, and if not, does anyone have the office number of their caseworker who helped them get approved from THEIR state's V.R. center, that maybe either I could call and talk to, or have my potential case worker call and speak with? Unforunately this site has very little information about WLS in WV, because there isn't even 1 dr. in the state who does it, so anything anyone else can bring to the table, so to speak, would be appreciated. Joshua    — joshbowski (posted on July 18, 2002)

July 18, 2002
Reading your profile, I see they denied you 3 times because you're "young". Come on! Twenty-one is certainly the age of majority in all 50 states...I recommend appealing their decison again, with the help of a lawyer. (Walter Lindstrom). Also, and I mean no offense by this, but you should be in communication with your caseworker, and not your mom, so that he takes a more personalize interest in your situation. I wish you a lot of luck.
   — rebeccamayhew

July 18, 2002
I don't mean to put a damper on your WLS journey, but from what I have heard Voc. Rehab. would be for people who CAN'T work because of their weight. You state that you work 70 hours a week. I could be wrong but it seems that being able to work that much might work against you. Hope you can get better info in your favor. Hugs, Joy
   — [Deactivated Member]