Over the past decade, my work with disabled Veterans in the VA’s Vocational Rehabilitation Program has been the highlight of my time at Disability Network/Lakeshore. It has been my privilege to be part of their recovery and to support them in any way I can.
When I say “support,” I mean helping in practical ways that matter in daily life. Many of the Veterans I work with are dealing with changes in health, work, and routine all at once. Some are trying to get back to work. Some are trying to figure out what they can do now. Some are learning how to use new tools or services. A lot of the time, the best help is steady encouragement, clear steps, and someone who will stay with them through the process.
Work Assessment and what it looks like
With many of my Veterans, Work Assessment (WA) is the primary service I provide. Under the WA program, I assist the Veteran in finding work, then meet weekly with his or her supervisor to determine whether that Veteran is capable of taking on additional responsibilities if the quality of work being completed is acceptable and whether there are accommodations needed to make the job easier.
This part of the work is important because it gives real-world feedback. A Veteran may want to return to work, but not know yet how much they can handle. A job site can show what is going well and what needs to change. Weekly meetings with a supervisor help keep everyone on the same page. They also give a chance to talk early about problems before they become bigger problems.
In plain terms, the WA process helps answer questions like these:
- Can the Veteran do the job tasks safely and well?
- Can the Veteran take on more work over time?
- Are there changes that would make the job easier?
- Does the workplace need to adjust a schedule, a tool, or a task?
That can mean simple things. It may be a different way of doing a task. It may be a small change in how work is assigned. It may mean talking through what part of the job is hard and what part is manageable. These small changes can make a big difference.
If the Veteran completes the Assessment phase of the program, he or she may be hired into that company. If the Veteran’s health issues prevent him or her from successfully integrating into that company, then the VA steps in and increases his or her level of disability, and financial compensation is increased accordingly.
That part of the process can be hard, but it is also important. Not every job will be the right fit. That does not mean failure. It means the Veteran and the VA have more information about what is possible. For some people, the best outcome is a job. For others, the best outcome is a better understanding of limits and the support they need moving forward.
Peer Support Services for other needs
Many Veterans who are not capable of working come to DNL for Peer Support Services. Oftentimes it is to determine if assistive technology (A.T.) devices can prove helpful to them in managing their activities of daily living, or to help them identify resources so they can meet specific goals, such as returning to school or participating in a specific activity again.
Peer Support is often a good place to start when a person needs help sorting through a problem. A Veteran may not need a full plan right away. They may just need someone to listen, ask good questions, and help them think through next steps. That is where peer support can make a real difference.
Assistive technology can be very useful, but it has to fit the person and the task. A device that helps one person may not help another. Even when the VA has already purchased an item, it may still need an adjustment in order to work well. I may determine that the A.T. item the VA purchased for them requires an adjustment in order to be most effective. Sometimes a small change in placement, timing, or use can improve the result.
I work with these individuals providing encouragement, support, and resources to help them reach their goals. I may assist the Veteran in finding a study group to help with a difficult college course or determine that the A.T. item the VA purchased for them requires an adjustment in order to be most effective. I may suggest a variety of coping techniques the Veteran can apply in managing health issues, or connect him or her with resources in the community that will enhance that individual’s life in some way.
These are the kinds of practical steps that can keep a goal from feeling too big. For example, if school feels hard, a study group can make a course feel less lonely and more possible. If health issues are getting in the way of daily life, coping techniques may help a person get through the day with a little more ease. If a person wants to return to a favorite activity, community resources may open a door that had seemed closed.
Sometimes the best support is helping someone name the next step. Not the whole path. Just the next step. That can be enough to keep someone moving forward.
Why this work matters to me
It has been so enjoyable to be a part of the lives of these heroes who have given so much to our country. To be able to help them reorient into civilian society is my way of giving back in a very small way to the price they have paid for our freedom. It is an honor to work at Disability Network/Lakeshore and to be a part of this work.
I think that honor also comes with responsibility. Veterans deserve respect, patience, and honest help. They should not have to guess what services are available or how to use them. They should have someone who can explain things in a clear way and help them connect the pieces. That is part of what we do at DNL.
For anyone who is looking for help, it can be useful to remember a few simple tips:
- Be clear about your goal, even if it is small.
- Tell the helper what is getting in the way.
- Ask questions if something is not clear.
- Speak up if a tool or plan is not working well.
- Keep going, even if progress is slow.
If you are a Veteran, or you work with one, and you think DNL may be able to help, please know that our services are free. We can talk about work, peer support, assistive technology, and other disability-related needs. You can reach Disability Network/Lakeshore at (616) 396-5326. We are located at 442 Century Lane, Holland, MI 49423.
Helping people live more independent lives is the heart of our work. For me, being part of a Veteran’s recovery, a job plan, or a new step forward is one of the most meaningful parts of the job. I am thankful for every chance I have to do it.