Psychological eval. before voc. rehab. I blew it

[AQA]

I had my psychological evaluation exam today. I think I blew it. Before an individual can get vocational rehabilitaion in the state of texas through the Department of Rehabilitation Services they must have a psychological evaluation. So here is how the day goes.

I arrived at 8:30 and the test begins, 390 questions. No big deal. I ring the little bell and the young lady comes to retrieve my test. when she enters the room she sees me streching out my back and says " You have a bad back " I replied " yes and a bad leg " see says " ok ". she sets down two more tests and tells me what to do. I finished the second test and started the third. It was a thiry question test based on what was missing or the next sequence of events. The answeres were numbered 1 - 5. After the #5 where the letters DK. About half way throug the test the pain was gatting to much for me. So from #16 - 30 I answered DK. I rang the bell and she returned to get the test and asked if I knew what DK meant. I replied " don't care" she responeded with " It means don't know " , I replied " No you don't understand, I don't care".

Well she put down two more test. I finished the first and got to the second. The heading stated finish the senteces based on your fellings. At this point and time the only thing that is keeping going is my military training. You know, never quit, never run, stand tall, over come, ect. ect.... So I read the questions. All of them. I can not believe I am there reading that stuff. Well I answere a few. One question started with I wish. I finished it by writing, someone could fix my back and leg. The other started with, my mind.I finished it with, is lost due to pain and these tests. I rang the bell and told the young ladie I was done , I didn't finish the second one and I was leaving. She responded with " there is only one left and it is spelling. you will be wearing head phones and all you have to do is speel the words.". My thought process was to complete the mission. I said "ok"

If anyone reading this has had fusion L5-S1 and nerve damage to the S1 nerve. You will see I made a grave mistake. I put the head phones on and stood up while listing to the words that I was to write. I had to bend down, so I could spell the word on the desk. I did that 45 times. The purpose of staning was to remove the pain in the back, but the bending counter acted that. not to mention I was standing bearing weight only on my good leg. After the test I rang the bell and a different girl came to retrieve the test.

When she came into the room I was streched out as far as I could in the chair with my eyes closed. She retrieved the test and as she was walking out she stated " you are waiting to see the therapist ". The way she said it was as if she was asking a question. I have heard the tone for years from people that worked under me. I replied " I guess so, she responded with " I am Telling you ". At that point I had one of three choices to make. 1) sit there in pain and wait, 2) get up and slap the crap out of her and deal with the pain, or 3) get up go home and deal with the pain. Well I got up and left. It took about 4 hours and a double dose of the pain killers for me to feel some relief.

The story I just told is true and factuall. I am now asking myself why I typed it? Well I guess it is mearly to tell the story of an injured worker that is trying to succeed.

Take care all.

[ksgirl]

I am so sorry you had to go through this. It is amazing what you have to go through toget care. I hope that somehow it turns out ok.

[Spring]

AQA...I can relate completly did one of those not to long ago. It wasn't for VR....Don't give up hope for the VR...maybe asking your Dr to write a letter of explaining that you just can't sit for that long of a period of time.That could they not do the testing in a few days not all at once. And that you would just need to work around your limitations. You would think they would atleast give us all the best chance to make it...so we can make it back out to the work force. Not work against us...it just doesn't make sense to me. Do not blame yourself for trying.

[Sithie]

Oh, I feel for you. Have been assigned a VR counseler? I think if you spoke wityh an actual VR person, (not the village idiot with an attitude) they will probably work with you. I dont know if theis is even something you want to pursue at this point, snce she was so crappy, but if you do I would just get up in the morning and start calling Vr till you get someone who cares. I got mine because I drove them crazy.

I hpe you feel okay tonight and in the morning.

Sithie

[Lilly]

AQA,
I hope that all works out fine for you....don't give up hope, as you tried your best, and one cannot think straight while enduring such pain....nor do you care! My prayers go up for you tonight
Lilly

[Still in Limbo]

AQA, Hang Tough and explain to whomever calls you back from VR what your situation was, and if they want you to come back you will, you just need to do it differently due to you Physical Restrictions. My opinion only, but you hung in there longer than I would have, I've been through so much with w/c I'm not in a very accommodating mood with them right now! I guess it goes back to a saying one of my Good Time Buddies told me before my injury, "People Make you who you are!" Just think about that statement for a Minute and you'll get it, People usually give back what they get in attitudes, and you just gave what you got!! I Hope things turn out O.K. and I Hope Your Pain is minimal, and your Happiness Great!