Abstract
The purpose of this project was to provide service connected (SC) Veterans a transitional manual to help them better understand the manifestation of their chronic and progressive neuromuscular disorders, Myasthenia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease. This manual will provide a valuable resource for Veterans in helping them continue meeting their independence in daily living or to help strengthen their ability to transition toward an individualized extended evaluation program (IEEP) aimed at possible employment. The current independent living program (ILP) services provided by Vocational Rehabilitation & Employment (VR&E) to SC Veterans diagnosed with progressive neuromuscular disorders of Myasthenia Gravis, Multiple Sclerosis, and Parkinson’s disease do not provide a clear, multidimensional analysis of what may be expected during the progressive stages in their disease. Knowledge in areas such as symptomology, functionality, medical needs, psychosocial impact, and needs in devices and accommodations is necessary. Currently, there is no source that provides such a guide. Hence, there seems to be a considerable gap in the fundamental knowledge to help guide them in understanding their disabilities. Awareness in the progression of a Veteran’s own disease is crucial for him or her to achieve greater accomplishment toward meeting independent living needs, vocational training endeavors, potential abilities, and/or employment goals. Ahlstrom, Lindvall, Wenneberg, and Gunnarsson (2006) suggested one way of proffering support and reducing the feeling of uncertainty for people with progressive diseases is to provide information and education. A manual of this type is needed to provide the SC Veteran knowledge to promote a successful path toward their independent living needs or a path toward meeting their desired vocational rehabilitation training. The design of this transition manual is based on the author’s work-related experience and conversations with SC Veterans as well as phone conversations and interviews with DOR counseling staff Maria Hernandez, Veteran Affairs (VA) counseling staff Dr. Norman Corson and Jan Rollings-Rapoza, and Dorothy Devereux, owner of Vocational Resource Services. Reviews of literature were also utilized. Based upon conversations, interviews, and research, the author created a Vocational Rehabilitation Transitional Manual addressing specified needs of Veterans with neuromuscular disorders. The Vocational Rehabilitation Transition Manual for Veterans with Neuromuscular Disorders was developed specifically to provide SC Veterans knowledge and understanding about their neuromuscular disorders.