I am a disabled veteran and I haven't worked in two years as I've tried to pick the pieces of my life back up. Well now I have picked up most of the peices and now it is time to get back to work. The problem is the only work I have ever done has been as an equipment repair tech or electrician and because of my disability I can't do that kind of work anymore. In November I applied for Chapter 31 Voc Rehab with the VA and today I had my first appointment.

Depending on how the regulations are read by my counsler I have to have an employment handicaped or severe employment handicap. The interview was about an hour long as we discussed my past employment history and my last 2 years of struggle with mental health issues. My therapist and county case manager both think I am ready to go on to the next step and encouraged me to apply. I am kind of worried that she will think it is to soon and want me to do an extended evaluation.

What is wrong with that you might be asking yourself. Well an extended evaluation would put me 6 months out of sinc with the the nursing programs in my area and that would mean would have to wait a year to start. I want to get an AS in nursing so I can become a neonatal intensive care nurse. It is really a facinating job I think and they get paid pretty well right out of school even in this economy. I need a good job to get my SRS and the other surgeries like FFS and BA will be affordable if I am a nurse. Like everyone here I need to stay moving forward just to stay sane and this year I didn't make much progress and I don't want a repeat performance next year.

Huggs

Emily