From: Mary Shandrow 
Subject: Does rehab really help?
For those of you who may not know me, I will give you a little background.
I was an elementary education major at a private Christian college in
Olathe, KS.  I came to Colorado in the spring of 1994 to attend the
Colorado Center for the Blind.  After my 11 months of training, I returned
to Kansas to see if school was what I wanted to do.  I knew that my
ultimate goal was to return to Colorado, and obtain my Masters degree at
the University of Northern Colorado.  I wanted to teach blind children, and
not only is UNC one of the few schools that offers such a program, but it
is one of the best teacher's colleges in the United States.
I returned to Colorado in January of 1995.  Since I knew that I would have
to obtain Colorado residency before I could afford to go to school, I
decided to get a job. Since I have been a rehab client in the past, I
decided to try to avoid some of the red tape and bureaucracy of government
agencies.  I was currently employed as a day care provider in an entry
level position.  I was going to quit my job in June, so that Rehab would
have plenty of time before the Fall semester to get all of their ducks in a
row.  I was told by Rehab,"You don't sound any different than any other Joe
Schmo who wants to improve himself.  Why should we help you?"  I said, "I
am a blind person, and I am eligible for these services, and I will get
them."  
Right after I applied to Rehab I lost my job, so after several months, and
mounds of paperwork, my case was open.
Shortly after this my case was transferred to a different counselor because
of local changes in their office.  I was told by the new counselor that
Rehab would have no problem paying for my undergraduate work, but that
there was a question about whether they would support my Master's degree.  
Ever since I have been a client of Rehab my vocational goal has been the
same.  I have always wanted to teach blind children.  My counselor told me
that the current trend is for Rehab not to pay for Master's work.  She told
me today that the only way that they could pay for my undergraduate work
was if I would agree to put on my Individualized Written Rehabilitation
Plan (IWRP) that I would be willing to accept a job as a regular elementary
education teacher.  I told her that that was not what I wanted to do, and
that I would not compromise on a dream because Rehab is unwilling to help.
It boils down to this:  I do not have an IWRP because my counselor and I
cannot agree on an "appropriate" (her word) vocational goal.  I do not
believe that Rehab has  the right to tell me what an appropriate vocational
goal is for me.  I think it is a dangerous plan to allow Rehab to get away
with telling you what to do.  They just want to get you employed, and off
of their case load.  It doesn't matter if it is a job that you want to do.  
Basically, since I don't have an IWRP I cannot get assistance with school.
I don't want to compromise, and get student loans.  I don't want to foster
for rehab the idea that what they are doing to me is okay.  I don't want
them to think that I will just go away.  I deserve these services just like
every other blind student, and I should get them.
She also told me that there is legislation currently in the making that
would free Rehab from pay for any college education.  Does anyone know
anything about this?  If any one can give me any advice or wisdom, I would
greatly appreciate it.
Mary Shandrow
Trying to be all that I can be.
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