From: design415@pacbell.net
To: Wayne.Freedman@abclocal.go.com
Sent: Saturday, May 12, 2004 7:05 PM
Subject: Any interest in how Toby’s ‘Disabled” life is faring? Any concern? Who cares? He’s healthy.
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In 1993, prior to my injury, I was "in the clouds", with a respectable work background and an Honors GPA. The semester before my scheduled Montana State University graduation, I was awarded a third scholarship, paying for a flight anywhere in America, for preliminary interviews. I flew back to Marin and interviewed at Silicon Graphics, LucasArts, Intel, Tandem Computers, Ketchum Advertising, McKesson Communications, Levi Strauss and Clorox.
Two months following those interviews, during my last MSU semester, I had an automobile accident and suffered a head injury. As a member of Kaiser, three small holes were drilled into my skull and I was in a coma for 30 days and a patient in five hospitals. Prior to my injury, my parents were separated; my accident brought them together again, to rehabilitate me. Not a compassionate married couple "in love", they tried to help each other live to their last day, under one roof.
Upon regaining California residence, during my first year of therapy, I attended College of Marin studying Multimedia and,
my Mother pressed the California Department of Rehabilitation for benefits, accompanying her urge upon Kaiser doctors for extra treatment. For seven years following CoM, I attended Santa Rosa Junior College, receiving the Board of Governors Fee Waiver (paying for rehabilitative education), eager for a worthwhile occupation in a respectable corporation and, preoccupied with a variety of course assignments*.
Fifteen years had drawn out and, I am told by the majority of my doctors told me that I recuperated remarkably. How do I feel? With regard to my education and background, in the occupational world (with the "Disabled" classification), I am still in a coma (unemployed), still fed through tubes (SSI & SSDI), to rehabilitate. I hunger for more self-dignity, respect and income that a career brings. Need a noteworthy paycheck to afford a safe, respectable car and a long-term girlfriend.
In September of '99, a few months after I had moved into a decent Subsidized Housing complex in Santa Rosa and, my Father died from Cancer of the Pancreas.
And, I was assigned to a new CA Department of Rehabilitation Counselor and was placed into a business that helps the "Disabled" find work and use their time productively. A reasonable percentage of the clientele were seniors or mentally retarded. I took a few tests and, a few months later, that Counselor retired.
With the assignment of a second Counselor, I was under the impression that new opportunities were in store. With respect to my background and education, I was making strong "connections" with the Agilent Human Resources; however, Agilent and the majority of the Telecom businesses in Sonoma County were downsizing, with a downturn in the economy. How do I feel? Hungry for a worthwhile career, I was under the impression that the rehabilitating employees would be able to take the steps and point me in the proper direction.**
A few months later, my third CA Dept. of Rehab. Counselor turned out to be a heavy-set single mother and, she implied that she would place me in a 6-month evaluation, at Goodwill, Inc. Well… With that judgment, I chose to focus on the completion of my Certifications that are applicable to desirable long-term employment.
The years have dwindled past and… I am still living off "the state cup of coffee" and the coffee is getting cold and stale. Every Counselor is changing positions in their career and moving on to bigger and better things. Having children? Or, they have had enough work and are retiring. All of my life is moving slowly, at "the rate... of the State". When will it change? Realistically... After parents are no longer alive.
Three years ago, Father was diagnosed with Cancer of the Pancreas and Mother is legally blind. July 7th, of 2014, Mom passed away with "multiple myeloma" (cancer).
Still making more connections, I am wondering when my being will be kindled and brought to a worthwhile point. With respect to my background and decade of rehabilitation, I recently gained an Adobe Mastery Specialist Certificate and an Art Certificate (associated with Computer Graphics). Perhaps a new Counselor can be assigned and they will put a wick on my fueled rocket, and "blast me off' into the corporate realm. If not, there will be no problem; I can just be stirred in the cold state cup of coffee. Perhaps governmental benefits will improve and will have an opportunity. i.e. – Add sugar. Perhaps I will get a better Counselor, to stir the cold cup.
* – When I entered SRJC, I was placed into the Disabled Students Department and was given my first Counselor. After a few years with her, she moved on to bigger and better things and I was assigned my second Counselor. After a few years with her, she moved on to bigger and better things and I was assigned my third Counselor. A few months later, she went on maternity leave and I was assigned a fourth Disabled Students Dept. Counselor. After my seven years of SRJC, without a concise direction towards a degree, I had grown agitated and was assigned a fifth Counselor, associated with the Computer and Information Sciences Department, not associated with the "Disabled Students" Department. It would have been pleasant if one of my eight Counselors had only signed me up for classes that were associated with a certain certificate or degree.
** – They will pay for classes on how to flip burgers, perhaps.