Does anyone know of any resources that I can use to help my dad C4 Quad get back into the work force. Currently he is living in a Nursing Home in Cincinnati Ohio and just about the only thing he does is go to an outpatient therapy program 3 times a week. He is standing and walking on a treadmill in PT so he's come a long way but I'm concerned about his mental stimulation at this point. He'd also like to get back in the workforce someday soon but is unsure of where to go or what to do. He's 56 and has been a master plumber, carpenter and electrician since he was 18. Does anyone have any ideas of where I can go or how I can help him. I have tried contact the Ohio Bureau of Vocational Rehab Services but have not had any luck with a call back. We appreciate any help we can get!
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Work After Injury
- By SaraKudela
- Posted November 13, 2008 at 1:37 pm · 9 replies
- In Living your life
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- By betty6
- Posted November 14, 2008 at 9:55 am
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Hello, Sara,
My husband is a C4 quadriplegic (summer 2006) and he has not yet regained function in his extremities. Nevertheless, he returned to work over a year ago as a high school history teacher thanks to the assistance provided by his employer and vocational reabilitation.
While your father's transition is more difficult because of his previous profession, there is no reason why he can't return to work and vocational rehabilitation can provide funding and counseling. The process is slow, but if you are persistant, I believe you will see results.
If the rehab facility has not introduced your father to a computer with voice activation software like Dragon Naturally Speaking, I would look into that immediately. He can also operate a computer using modified mice and keyboards if he's regaining some functionality in his hands and arms.
Take care -
Tracie
- By SaraKudela
- Posted November 14, 2008 at 11:27 am
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Thank you for your reply Tracie, my Dad is currently in a nursing home, has been discharged from a rehab facility for over a year now. I don't remember anywhere in his rebabilitation where anyone offered or even mentioned vocational rehab but that is what I am trying to do. Ohio Vocational Rehab is now question whether there is a program to help my dad since he is in a nursing home. I will definitely keep pushing them to help though...thank you.
I'm actually looking into buying a computer for my dad in the next couple of months. Do you know a good place to look for the modified keyboards and mouses?
- By ddombr1332
- Posted November 15, 2008 at 9:42 am
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Don't take this wrong, but calling the dept of vocational rehab is a weak efforet at best.....go visit them. If you're standing in their office it's tough to be ignored. You'll have all the answers you need in an hour that way.
Your dad sounds like quite a wealth of knowledge that should have an excellent chance for re-employment. Be creative and don't let dept of voc rehab offer you WalMart Greater type employement ideas. With his knowlege he could be an independent coach--how many home handimen do you think would tackle a job if your dad was coaching them 1 on 1 thru it? Advertise in the church bulletin, in all his old haunts of lumber yards, plumbing supply hourse etc...thats' where the handimen go, and his network could hand out his biz card. He could charge by the job, not the hour. Pay wouldn't be great on an hourly basis maybe, but it would be hugely rewarding I'd think., How about the "oaks" voactional schools in cincy where they teach plumbing, etc? I'd bet they could use a teacher for these trades (scarlet oaks, etc). Again, small money but rewarding...maybe the local Lowes etc could use him as an expert/ consultant on sizing jobs etc.
Have him read up on ADA requirements...with his carpentry background he could likely become a consultant and 'test driver' for ADA complaince in buildings/rehabs.
Got it? I spent 3 mintues thinking about what a carpenter/ plumber can do from a chair and am well beyond..."they won't return my calls". Get to work ! Not him, you ! Its not about not knowing what to do, it's about not doing it. Your dad is stuck sitting, don't you sit too. Get out there and see what you can drum up for him. Go see his old buddies in the trades and see what they think he can do for them !
- By SaraKudela
- Posted November 15, 2008 at 10:26 am
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I truly appreciate the advice and ideas that you've offered me. The reason for my post was to see what other options are out there as opposed to the state funded bureau that I know about....I'm pretty familiar with the amount of time it takes to get state funded anything. I will definitely look into your suggestions but please don't mistake this post or my phone calls as laziness.... believe me I haven't sat for more than 20 minutes since my dad's accident. I work a full time job and help daily with my dad's PT and other needs and I have fought a tough fight to get him where he is in his recovery. I prefer to call before I take the time off so that I can judge if a trip to the office is really worth it. I'm fully aware that my dad is stuck sitting....that's exactly why I do what I do everyday. Thanks again for your help.
- By Tanka
- Posted November 26, 2008 at 12:35 pm
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Don't know what your dad's arm/hand ability is; my son is a C3 Quad with no use of his arms. He has a computer that he operates with his eyes only. It is called Erica, from www.eyeresponse.com. He was a computer user before his injury at age 20, and this computer had virtually no learning curve for him, it just gives him the mouse and off he goes.
Another eye gaze operated computer is the myTobii, and seems to be more appropriate for someone with less computer skills. Either way, the technology is very cool--Jesse can navigate the web, facebook, email and productivity software like word. They aren't cheap, but might be the type of project that your local Rotary or Kiwanis clubs could really get behind. Voc rehab might also purchase this. Our experience with voc rehab is tell them what you want to do even if its a very long term plan (like education) and put your dad's counselor in your speed dial, cause you'll probably need to stay in their face. Your state's voc rehab website should also have an easy to find advocacy number if you are having troubles getting a response. It took us 8 months of being firm, persistent, polite and persistent yet again to get the first result from our vr office. Yes, I think it was worth it! We are building a long term relationship with the vr counselor, and she knows we are committed to results. ddombr has great suggestions--brainstorm with your dad and don't be afraid to ask for a lot of help. He has a lot to offer the workforce. Ask your local Lowe's about their Heroes program. Good luck!
Melissa
- By matlucero
- Posted November 27, 2008 at 12:47 pm
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Hope this link can help for a new PC. Happy Thanksgiving.
http://langfoundation.org/home.html
- By SaraKudela
- Posted November 28, 2008 at 7:50 am
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Thank you Melissa and Matlucero....that was just the information I was looking for.
Happy Thanksgiving!
- By patticake430
- Posted November 28, 2008 at 7:51 pm
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How about your Dad teaching younger guys his profession??? He might enjoy handing over the knowledge he has to the younger set. Just an idea. I thought talking to his former work mates was a great idea also. Have a great day & I did not think you were being lazy by any stretch of the imagination. Just your asking tells me that you are putting yourself out there for your Dad, & I am sure you have done much more. Keep up the good work, & please let us know how he does.
- By BrightSide
- Posted November 30, 2008 at 7:50 am
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If your Dad is interested, Drake Center in Cincinnati has a great SCI support group that meets the first Thursdays at 6:30 p.m. In December, though, we'll meet on December 11 [same time] for our Holiday Dinner. We'd be honored to have him and any family members be our guests. Call 513-418-4382 and leave your number, and I'll return your call.
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