Vocational Resources Plus LLC

Author: Rehab Expert

Happy 56th Birthday Randy! Get on Your Bike and Ride!

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Happy 56^th Birthday to my husband Randy!

September 29 is also Randy’s mother’s birthday. Marylin would’ve turned 76 today. She’s been in heaven for 20 years now. How many women have babies on their birthdays? Pretty cool, huh! I’m curious of the odds.

The lines from from the Beatles Birthday Song from the White Album ring true with mother and son!

You say it’s your birthday,
It’s my birthday too, yeah;
They say it’s your birthday,
We’re gonna have a good time;
I’m glad it’s your birthday,
Happy birthday to you.

Yes, we’re goin’ to a party, party.
Yes, we’re goin’ to a party, party,
Yes, we’re goin’ to a party, party.

56 years ago the stork delivered boy Botkin to Marylin & Jim

Randy’s mother, Marylin was one great lady. We love and miss her dearly (and her husband Jim too…also “up there in heaven”.)

When Randy was a teenager growing up in Saylorville Township, his mom worked 8:00 PM-4:00 AM as a data processor for Banker’s Trust downtown Des Moines. When Marylin arrived back home from her shift (yes, 4:00 in the morning!), she’d wake Randy up so he could get going on his paper route (Des Moines Register & Tribune).

Randy and my dad – who had a rural paper route, his method was by truck delivering the papers to customers who lived in the country, while Randy rode his bicycle and walked to delivery in his own neighborhood – have their exciting paper route stories!

Randy tells me he delivered (and yes, from time to time, we have to relive the days by traveling his route, he being the tour guide), the daily paper to ~56 homes each morning before school. He had to finish delivering and arrive back home so he could get on the bus on time to get to school. To this day, Randy is an early riser, and brags he doesn’t use an alarm clock. This is true.

Read All About It!

Randy recalls how most of his customers requested the newspaper to be placed inside the door as opposed to the typical throw it and hope it ends near the door method, which actually made his route longer, but he complied with their wishes!

He remembers getting tips. And he remembers when it was really, really cold…read early mornings in Iowa…brrrrr, makes me shiver just thinking about it. I would not have made it long as a paper boy.

Although you are no longer a paper boy Mr. Botkin, I know those days were valuable to develop your work ethic. In early 2013 I wrote several blogs about Randy and his work ethic!

Okay, now get on your bike and ride Mr. B!Randy uses pedal power most days during the week to ride to school.

Trivia: The scales of justice is the symbol for Libra (Randy’s one), and is the only zodiac sign that is not represented by animal or human.

Did you know that my attorney reader? Let me know if you did. And also let me know how I can help you help your client with a case involving work and disability. I’m here to help! Contact me at 515-778-0634 or amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com

I hope your work week is great. Thank you for reading.

___________________

My professional rehabilitation counseling practice is focused on helping people find a place in the workforce

September 29, 2020
Happy 21st Anniversary Vocational Resources Plus! Read On for My Opinion on a Current Subject Matter!

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This blog is a continuation of last years 20th Anniversary congrats to my company, where I posted numerous roses. This year I have these beauties to share! These white roses are on my desk, and if you look closely you can see Alaska’s picture, bottom right. She is also below my desk, where she likes to lounge!

With Mollie near by!

Sniff Sniff

And Randy not that far away either. Jeez, I’m used to working alone along side a few office pets (and several plants). Yet since March of this year, I’ve had a long-haired human office mate:

Not having a human office mate for over 20 years and 6 months takes a bit of adjusting (and flexibility). As a Des Moines Public School staff member, Randy (just like every one else) does not know what may happen next within our schools. Tonight, there will be another board meeting and we may find out. It might be either an appeal or a hybrid-mix of teaching/learning.

There’s been a lot of confusion and I sincerely hope everyone involved is learning a lesson…which in my opinion is about flexibility and patience.

Students, their families, DMPS staff, the Governor, the Department of Education, and the judge(s) involved need to express the willingness and ability to adapt to change, particularly regarding how and when work gets done.

It is my opinion K-12 learning can take place remotely, and I believe it’s the wave of the future. Why not take the time to embrace how to learn remotely now? It’ll be useful in the future.

From March 2020 on through today (and beyond) every one who has taken responsibility for their own working, learning, and living environments has grown in maturity, flexibility, and accountability. There are resources to help in each of these environmental areas.

My intuition and background in community health education simply tells me it is not a good idea to have so many individuals of all ages in an enclosed space during the day during a pandemic. I do not think it is a good idea to have our local schools meet in person…just yet. There’s not enough good quality air flow.

If we had more open air spaces to teach, that would help. But we don’t. To state this point, for many years in the past, my husband taught students in a room that did not even have windows.

Here’s a fact: Des Moines Public Schools is the largest provider of public education in Iowa, with more than 33,000 students and nearly 5,000 teachers and staff at work in more than 60 schools throughout the community.

Here’s another fact: Learning can take place virtually.

And here’s my personal point view: Have patience people. Let this pandemic settle down. I simply hope the best decision is made and my husband is not exposed to this hidden virus and gets ill. It is not an easy thought, but it certainly could happen. He means too much to me. He has underlying conditions.

As a mother, I am thankful my adult children who are currently college students (Nick at UI and Arin at DMACC) are taking online courses. And they are thriving! So are you too Jake, at the ARL! Actually, think about it, the ARL does remote adoptions!

A 3rd fact and beyond: The Covid-19 virus is novel. It is not known whether or not it will will remain in a body, to potentially resurface and do more destruction, both physically and psychologically.

Keep in mind the chicken pox (herpes zoster) virus stays in your body. And it resurfaces as shingles. I’ve had two bouts of shingles, one over the entire left side of my body (not my face though) when I was in my mid-20s right after having Nick and it was absolutely awful. Recently this March, I had a recurrence on my right eye lid and covering my right eyebrow area. Again, this was incredibly painful, long-lasting and, well, I am lucky my vision didn’t suffer long term effects (I still have some ongoing problems). Think about it. Older people have a propensity towards shingles.

It is probable that in the future the millions of people who have already been infected with Covid-19 will suffer again (or die) related to this virus.

Last night, I talked to a young man who had been infected with Covid-19. It took him nearly 3 weeks to feel better. He believes any underlying condition would absolutely be exacerbated by the virus. And in reality, underlying conditions are commonly a natural part of aging.

Is this worth it to expose each other? There is time to stop and smell the roses. I do not see any reason to not step back and do what is intuitively safe.

This is my opinion; and I’m sticking to it! Wait for the pandemic to settle down and go ahead with 100% remote learning at this time.

I may or may not update this post later. If the lawsuit goes to the supreme court, I hope our judges make the best decision for every one in our community.

Happy 21st Anniversary to Vocational Resources Plus!

Contact me for help on a litigated case involving work and disability. Allow me to help you form an opinion (I love forming one and defending one). I’m here to help! Thank you for reading.

___________________

My professional rehabilitation counseling practice is focused on helping people participate in the world around them, particularly in their own world of work.

September 9, 2020
Happy 30th Wedding Anniversary Randy! August 4, 1990

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Randy and I were married by Father Dave Polich on Saturday, August 4, 1990 at 2:00 pm at Christ the King Catholic Church on the south side of Des Moines. It was a beautiful day and we had a fun ceremony with many friends and family attending and participating.

We had a fun ceremony!

Our son Nick was 16 months old and accompanied by Michele Ridout so he wouldn’t be interested in making any fuss! My father, Dick, and my sister, Julie did the readings; Tammy Butler Silvey and Stacey Quick Lovell served as my best gals; while Randy’s brother Kyl Botkin and Bryan Anderson his best boys.

Of course, my mother Ann, sister Janice and her daughter Taylor Prochnow, Randy’s parents Marylin and Jim Botkin, Grandpa Chuck Botkin; Randy’s and my co-workers and friends all joined us for the day!

My brother Mike Prochnow served as videographer, while my attendant Joyce Clark and guest book attendant Sharla Hickman helped. Hope I’m not forgetting anyone at this time! We’ll have to get the wedding book out before we go out to eat tonight Randy. Oh, the organist, Alma. Everyone helped us become married!

After the ceremony with Mass of course, our wedding party rode around town in a long black limo. The driver followed our directions to retrace the steps around Court Avenue and the downtown library where we met (on 8/8/99) while walking to the parking lot!

Someone from the party opened a bottle of champagne in the limo and it exploded, staining my wedding dress!

Our reception was held at the apartment complex in West Des Moines where I used to live at the time we met. Garcia’s Restaurant (where Randy worked part-time at the time we got married, and for several years beyond during our marriage) catered the food. And my other brother, Steven Prochnow served as the DJ! We ate, danced and had a great time partying! Randy’s aunt even decided to jump into the pool, fully dressed?!?

We have lots of pictures, and when I look back at them now, I think, what a waste of film! Many of the pictures were not shot in correct lighting and are blurry. Nowadays, you can do so much more with shooting photography and editing pictures…a favorite hobby!

Afterwards, and into the evening, Randy and I drove North for our honeymoon…with a destination of Duluth Minnesota. Yo, huh!? Actually, to tell the truth, I drove that night because someone was a little tipsy. But first, right after we left the the reception, I had to drive back home before taking off for our destination because someone forgot the luggage (I blamed him and he blamed me…great start!), plus the cans needed to be cut off the car!

Split Rock Lighthouse

Remember the trip Randy! We had a blast, and have been having a wonderful marriage ever since! Well, mostly! Marriage is not easy, that’s for sure! I realize I am blessed to be married to my kinda of man.

Companionship in marriage is key. Between Randy and I, there’s always a celebration, a fight (or a debate) going on, a lot of work to accomplish, or simply taking the time to hang out with each other! Another key to marriage is to lose expectations and go with the flow (even though I often try to direct the flow…)

Randy, although in the past I’ve told you I hated your guts, have smacked you in the nose, flipped you off and committed other stupid moves (or sins) that affected our marriage negatively, always related to some sort of adverse stressor we were unable to address in the heat of the moment, I do love you very, very, very, …… very much!

REB+AEB 4Ever

As an aside, my blog writing on my website does contain a lot about Randy. He says they are love letters! Well, I saw he offers good writing material about his jobs, his ethic and well, just being a good man. He is the source of my capacity to be self-employed and work from home. Thank you for being my husband for 30 days as of today! & Yo, Read my blog!

___________________

My professional rehabilitation counseling practice is focused on helping people participate in the world around them, particularly in their own world of work.

August 4, 2020
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 FAQs
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Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 FAQs
What is the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)?

The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990. As a civil rights law, the ADA prohibits discrimination of individuals with disabilities. To do so, the ADA ensures equal employment opportunities, requires public and private sectors to increase accessibility, and aims to provide those with disabilities the same advantages and benefits maintained by those without disabilities.

What are the main components of the ADA?

The main components of the ADA are non-discrimination of individuals with disabilities, equal employment opportunities, and the increase of accessibility around the United States.

What terminology is preferred today?

There’s no hard and fast rule – terms frequently change and vary across disabilities, regions, and generations. Few people use “challenged,” “crippled,” “handicapped,” or other stigmatizing terms because they are outdated. The best practice is to ask for individual preference.

What does disability mean?

The official government definition is as follows: an individual with a disability is a person who has a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, has a record of such impairment, or is regarded as having such an impairment.

How many Americans are directly covered by the ADA?

According to United States census information, 1 in 5 Americans have some type of disability (note: this is difficult to verify, as disabilities can vary in severity and this statistic neglects the unreported or undiagnosed).

What led to the passing of the ADA?

The ADA ultimately expands upon various court cases and Section 504 of the 1973 Rehabilitation Act, which enacted non-discrimination policies for individuals with disabilities in public entities. Additionally, the ADA was modeled on the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and its focus on eliminating both public and private discrimination, as well as in the allocation of government resources for those affected.

What does accessible or accessibility mean?

To make something accessible enables individuals with disabilities direct and indirect availability to products, devices, services, and environments.

Is there a difference between accessible design and universal design?

Accessible design references a process that is specifically designed for individuals with disabilities. Universal design is a process where the outcome is usable for anyone, exemplified by curb cuts and ramps that may be necessary for some individuals, but are used by all.

What are some everyday changes enacted by the ADA?

Equal employment opportunity to ensure that a qualified candidate cannot be rejected because of a disability.

Public transportation must have accessible cars, buses, and elevators.

Restaurants, museums, stores, and other establishments must be accessible – meaning proprietors must remove physical barriers, be wheelchair friendly, and comply with other ADA accessibility requirements.

Closed captioning has grown in use and most video services now have a system to insert captions when necessary.

Telephone companies must have services for customers who are deaf.

Is equal employment opportunity the main accomplishment of the ADA?

While equal employment opportunity is a major accomplishment of the ADA, other successes include increased accessibility and non-discrimination policies in various aspects of everyday life, such as education and telecommunications.

What are the major challenges of the ADA?

There is some disagreement over the ADA as a civil rights law and the ADA as a series of safety regulations. Also, enforcement of the measures enacted by the ADA can be difficult to monitor. Another problem is that people without disabilities may be unaware of jargon (such as “accessibility” or “reasonable accommodation”), resulting in confusion and delay of action. The ADA has had a limited impact on poverty and unemployment among and violence against people with disabilities.

Why it important to learn about the ADA?

The ADA is a major civil rights bill; non-discrimination policies and equal employment opportunities are significant outcomes of the legislation. Also, the increase of accessibility and universal design influence the lives of all Americans, not just those with disabilities. It has had widespread international influence, with many countries adopting similar laws.

Where can I find more information on the ADA?

Disability.gov (https://www.disability.gov/)

Office of Disability Employment Policy (http://www.dol.gov/odep/pubs/fact/ada.htm)

United States Department of Education (http://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/docs/hq9805.html)

United States Department of Justice, Civil Rights Division (http://www.ada.gov)

United States Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (http://www.eeoc.gov/facts/fs-ada.html)

Source: https://americanhistory.si.edu/topics/disability-history/pages/americans-disabilities-act-1990-faqs
July 26, 2020
Blending Art and Science…to Help Litigated Cases! I Can Help You Help Your Clients!

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I’m intrigued about the “difference” between art and science. It’s easy to say art is subjective while science is objective. Fundamentally, art expresses knowledge, while science is the system of acquiring knowledge. Yet in many ways art and science are actually connected and related to each other.

Kinda like a couple with waaay cheap sunglasses!

Randy and I have more differences than similarities. Or do we? Let’s look at a few basic facts:

We often prod each other of our differences. I prefer pepper, while he does salt. Me ketchup, he mustard. He likes corn, me peas. I love apples, he prefers oranges. He likes vanilla ice cream, me chocolate. Hot peppers *me! versus no way to hot peppers *he! I really could go on and on about our taste differences! By the way, I’m a vegetarian! Not Randy the meat eater!

But what about our important similarities (that have nothing to do with food)!

Our similarities matter the most. Like how we: Approach life. Share our faith. Explore our world together. Use our resources. Create options. Solve problems. Work hard. Lovingly care for our 3 young adult children. Spoil the pets. There we meet; well we try hard to meet!

Keep in mind Randy is much more serious than I am. The better descriptor for him is probably straight-laced (kinda), not one to bend (that many) rules, and he likes to go by the book (mostly). He prefers to follow instructions, a map, or a detailed plan (he designs power points before we go on a road trip)! And me, well I make my mind up where to go when the time is right for me! But I don’t get lost!

Randy is a teacher with a bachelor degree in Art ~ a BA and he has a ME ~ Master in Education. I am a counselor with a bachelor degree in Science ~ BS, and my MS is again in Science. But wait!! When it comes to teaching or counseling, what really is the difference between art and science when expressing knowledge in real life?

I would say the main difference between art and science is that art is more focused on the perception of the world through the eyes of a particular individual. Art involves an emotional response, and can be based on personal experience, opinions, preferences, and individual perceptions. Look at a painting and we all see something different!

Art elicits an emotional response while science doesn’t (at least for most people I know)!

Do You Like This Print?

Science, on the other hand, is regimented and systemic with rules, procedures, and policies to follow. When people perform scientific investigations, the purpose or goal is to find an answer to something in a very planned out and specific way using the scientific method. Easier said than done, and requires planning with purpose and planning with options.

“Beauty is in the Eye of the Beholder”

Look at a cell under a microscope and you are supposed to see the exact same thing (assuming you know what you’re looking at) as the next microscope user. BTW, I never could really “see” what my microbiology partner at ISU saw, but I did get excited (an emotion!!) when he said I was close!

I found other ways to look at the topic of blending art and science:

Baseball pitchers use the science of physics when throwing a curve ball, but actually throwing a good curve is an art form.

Or perhaps medicine is an easier example. Medical practice is both an art and a science. The two cannot be separated without destabilizing the system. Do you want physical treatment without discussing what your psychological needs are?

A couple lives on the art of marriage AND the science of marriage. And a rehabber relies on the art and science of rehabilitation! There is a balance, although it certainly can tip often.

The balance is found in creating the work of art marriage / or the work of art rehabilitation is supposed to be, in a natural sense. It involves digging your heels in and applying the science of either of these (marriage/rehabilitation) when times get rough.

Keep in mind, I’m not a marriage counselor, I’m a rehabilitation counselor! And also keep in mind, I’ve been married for close to 30 years. In August of 2020 we’ll be a-celebrating!

So applying a sense of balance to my own work activities using art and science to help you help your case sure makes sense to me! My reports will not parse other’s reports, use wild statistics, or make blanket statements based on literature with no direct relationship to the individual’s health condition and/or future work.

In my reports, I will make sense of what I believe to be the best options for your case and focus on connecting the results of my research to support my helpful recommendations and conclusion. This is blending art and science in a meaningful way. This is helping you help your client. This is why I do my work.

I appreciate the sound of blending art and science!

I can help you with your case involving work and disability, the employment aspects of a divorcing couple, or a case involving the need for life care planning.

Additionally, let me know how I could help you with a case with conflicting opinions! There’s always a way to blend the best and come to the truth.

Give me a call at 515-778-0634 or email me at amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com to discuss your case. Thank you for reading!

___________________

My professional rehabilitation counseling practice is focused on helping people participate in the world around them, particularly in their own world of work.

June 30, 2020
It Was 41 Years Ago…and I Made It Through. Thank You Teri!

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On June 15, 1979 I was in a car accident…and I made it through (duh, I’m writing this!). Just a remember to myself how important rehabilitation following an injury really is. And a shout out to you my attorney readers to realize rehabilitation is so important for so many people for so many reasons.

Thank all rehabilitation counselors and all the people who care about other people’s life!

Read more about it (the car accident) here How did I Get into Rehab Counseling? Here’s a Little Story posted November 21, 2011.

What makes my story even more special to me is that I “ran” into the woman who saved my life a few years back on a Saturday (June 6, 2015) at the Iowa Falls Boat Club for a memorial service (for a friend of many who committed suicide).

I was sitting across from a woman at a banquet table with my sister Janice and two other people. After chatting with the two, I asked the woman directly across the table what her name was (silly me).

Teri knew who I was and after it dawned on me (because my sister whispered to me) I stopped, thanked God, thanked Teri, and asked her if I could give her a hug! Which I did.

I did visit her back in 1979 and brought her a thank you gift after I was feeling okay to do so, but I hadn’t seen her for a long time so I didn’t recognize her.

Thank You Teri

Upon considering all that happened that day, I was 15 and Teri was 17 or 18, and she literally saved my life! Teri came upon the scene that night, called 911 and stayed with me until the ambulance arrived, even riding in the ambulance until we arrived at the hospital in town. She didn’t leave me until I was transported to another hospital out of town (Mason City). From what I heard later, the medical staff and others involved in my early care thought she was a nurse!

Green Gran Torino

I was riding in the car behind the passenger seat of a green Gran Torino, and I was not wearing a seatbelt. I used to despise Gran Torinos, especially green ones, until Randy pointed out the bulk of the front end of the vehicle was another huge part in saving my life.

While at the Boat Club (the club on the river has an interesting history and continues to store memories), before the lovely boat ride on the Scenic City Empress, I took a picture of a picture. Here’s Arthur, my neighbor in Iowa Falls for many years, skiing many moons ago. He really was talented!

Arthur Skiing

I also took a picture of this chair made of old skis. Pretty cool, huh!

Here’s the waterfall on the Iowa River, (shh, it’s “man” made)! Janice, my sister, is the blonde with her hand over her face.

Life really brings surprises, talent and beauty. Live it to it’s fullest and you won’t be disappointed. Each and every day is a new beginning. I know what it’s like to almost lose your life.

Use What You Got! If you click here you’ll read a 2011 article about me from the Des Moines Register (and see another picture of the Iowa River.)

So, in closing of this blog, I stray from my loving attitude and will end this post as such:

You can find this train car in Hampton, Iowa and flip it off if you’d like…for me!

The lawsuit against Rock Island Railroad was a failure. Maybe we chose the wrong attorney, perhaps the timing was bad as the railroad went bankrupt, perhaps we should’ve settled, or perhaps the jury simply wasn’t given all the information or didn’t understand the case.

There were no cross bucks….the train had parked for the night until the conductor or whoever realized the few box cars (no caboose) were covering the tracks. You see that’s why the train moved, dragging that green car with me (my head that is) implanted on one of the bolts of the box car…. Thank goodness the car stopped right before the ravine.

It’s ironic to me that in the earlier years of my career (as a self-employed rehabilitation counselor), I worked on many railroad cases involving disability (the workers’ compensation cases were assigned to me from a rehabilitation counselor out of Omaha).

I learned a lot of the nature of the work involved and to this day, I am prepared, willing and able to do all I can to help you represent your client. Let me know how I can help you with your legal cases.

515-778-0634 or amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com

___________________

My professional rehabilitation counseling practice is focused on helping people participate in the world around them, particularly in their own world of work.

June 16, 2020
Disability Employment Awareness Month & A Story About Pumpkin Man

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Feel the October days fly through the surrounding air! The gorgeous trees, the beautiful and interesting as always weather, and the bounty upon us is incredible.

Had any pumpkin bread yet? Yummy!

October is National Disability Employment Awareness Month 2019 where you’ll find resources about National Disability Employment Awareness Month and a historical timeline of the ADA. These sites are knowledge-filled and helpful to a student studying for the CRC exam!

Happy 29th ADA! The birthday was officially celebrated in July, but I always like to extend partytime!

“Signed into law in 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is civil rights legislation that works to increase the inclusion of people with disabilities in all aspects of community life, including employment. At the U.S. Department of Labor, we are committed to delivering on the promise of the ADA, not only for today’s workers with disabilities, but also future generations.”

The ADA plays an integral role in the live’s of many people. It gives people with disabilities the right to file lawsuits in Federal court and obtain Federal court orders to stop ADA violations. Any vocationally relevant factor entwined with the person’s civil rights, will describe or amend a violation.

Ready to go, willing to do, and happy to help!

Hiring me to perform the research specific to the worker and the situation, prepare an individualized needs assessment and vocational report, and then present in front of a judge or jury makes sense.

If your case involves the ADA, I’m fully interested in applying my knowledge of the law as it relates to employment and help you help your client! Here’s a great newspaper story of Pumpkin Man, a hard worker who dares to live his dream!

FYI: Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 prohibits private employers, State and local governments, employment agencies and labor unions from discriminating against qualified individuals with disabilities in job application procedures, hiring, firing, advancement, compensation, job training, and other terms, conditions, and privileges of employment. The ADA covers employers with 15 or more employees, including State and local governments. It also applies to employment agencies and to labor organizations. https://www.ada.gov/ada_title_I.htm

Pumpkin Man, Oh Pumpkin Man! Just as Tasty as Gingerbread Man!

Please contact me at 515-778-0634 or email amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com and we can set up a time to talk. I can describe to you a recent case I had involving an employment discrimination lawsuit. Thank you for reading!

___________________

My professional rehabilitation counseling practice is focused on helping people participate in the world around them, particularly in their own world of work.

October 8, 2019
Hello Attorney, I’m Here to Help Your Client With Shoulder Injury!

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At the beginning of the year 2017, my left rotator cuff was injured during a combination of physical activity, but I’m not sure how it happened. Being the type of person who always wants to, no, needs to have answers!, I just had to go with the fact that I hurt!

It took a long time for my shoulder to heal and during that time, my physical and mental capacity were diminished. So in that way, I can empathize with what a person with a shoulder injury experiences.

The first six months are critical to any injured body part that wants to heal. Proper care, nutrition, stretching, exercise and relaxation are essential components of rehabilitation. A “don’t give up attitude” is too. I can relate to the limited movement, the pain, and the frustration from my rotator cuff injury!

Nice Biceps!

What’s good is that my shoulder (arms and entire core for that matter!) are much stronger than before because, well simply put, I care about my shoulders and exercise with purpose so they can work hard for me!

I was offline for maintenance, but I came back stronger than ever!

Remind your clients of the fact that they’re your only shoulders, and if there’s injury, encourage them to do everything possible allowing the healing process to do the work. If you want a vocational rehabilitation consultant on your side, contact me! If you have a lawsuit that needs to draw attention to the costs of the injury, contact me!

Practicing yoga, or focused stretching and faithfully paying attention to what your body is saying is incredibly valuable during any healing process. If an injury becomes chronic and a decision to perform surgery is made, physical rehabilitation is paramount.

Rehabilitation also includes body and mind. Speaking of mind, I am grateful to hear of the change in the Iowa workers’ compensation law to provide workers who have a serious shoulder injury and can no longer return to their existing job with vocational rehabilitation benefits.

After July 1, 2017, if in the workers’ compensation system for a shoulder injury, the individual may receive career vocational training at a local community college…and we have good ones here in Iowa! The employer or the employer’s insurer is required to pay financial support for participation in the program up to $15,000 for tuition, fees, and required supplies. I have plenty of experience helping Veterans return to school and commence with a new career when I had a contract with the VA to provide vocational rehabilitation services.

Also in January 2017, I worked with a vocational rehabilitation client, Gerald. He had a serious rotator cuff injury with multiple shoulder surgeries and wasn’t expected to be able to return to his job as a roofer. I met with him and performed a vocational evaluation. He expressed interest in work as a heavy machine operator, so upon research and contact with local resources, I prepared an in-depth report to support our findings to help him move into a new career. Please let me know if you have a need on a case involving a shoulder injury as this information is fresh!

Gerald the Cat…Studious, Quick, Very Orange & Very Cool!

In 2018, I was assigned two interesting shoulder injury cases (one involved a dentist, the other a truck trailer unloader/consolidator) and I learned a lot about surgical options, costs of care and vocational outcomes. I’d be happy to share what I’ve learned if it’d benefit your client!

Please let me know if you have a need for a vocational expert like me to help you help your client. Just FYI: a few years back, my sister Julie experienced a bad elbow injury when she tripped and fell at work, which required elbow replacement surgery. I learned about elbow procedures and rehabilitation while helping her!

Thank you and I hope to hear from you soon! BTW, I enjoy using cool cats to support my work! Contact me at 515-778-0634 to discuss your case, or email me at amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com and let me know the best time to contact you!

___________________

My professional rehabilitation counseling practice is focused on helping people participate in the world around them, particularly in their own world of work.

October 1, 2019
Emotional Intelligence and Expert Testimony…Stay in the Ship!

Reading Time: 3 minutes
I want to touch a bit more on emotional intelligence from a previous blog on the subject of EQ. Basically, emotional intelligence is the ability to perceive emotions in yourself and sense the emotional needs in others. I study this interpersonal skill and certainly am not an emotional master, but I constantly challenge myself to control any “miffed” (annoying) emotions that are connected to stressful situations.

Miffed? Mad? Upset? Irritated? Jittery? Soft? Antsy? Optimistic? All the Above?!?!

For example, when I’ve been on the witness stand in court (serving as an expert in my field of vocational rehabilitation), I’ve experienced verbal assaults on my work, my credentials, and even my vocation (don’t even go there buddy), by the opposing attorney. This of course is stressful!

However, because I know myself well and have thee highest regard for what I do for a living, I am able to calmly turn mean and rude statements into mush (metaphorically in my mind where it matters!) You’d be surprised how effective a concerned look and a calm statement or simple facial expression saying, “I hope you realize how that sounded” can be.

Mush you say??? Yuck. Get Out of Here. No Way Would I Ever Eat That.

Seriously though, emotions can turn into enemies if they get in your way during certain times in your life (like on the witness stand!). I like to think of emotions as waves. A storm has rushed in, the winds are fierce, and the lake is churning up white caps. THESE ARE THE EMOTIONS – the things that get us disturbed, all riled up and self-absorbed. We liked the calm…

Emotional waves get in your way!

Now think, the storm will blow over and the lake will calm down. During the slowdown of the storm, the waves are just big, and in fact can be quite beautiful. THESE ARE YOUR THOUGHTS – and now you connect with the outside world….and to other people easily.

Calm those waves down!

Now think of a peaceful lake. Become aware of your own feelings and realize, hey ~ this is what makes me special, my stuff really is helpful and I am good at stilling the waves. Calm yourself down right when the lake’s current does too. Now there is no distinction between yourself and the environment. You become a part of it. Everything clicks. The world is safe AND you are alive! (yet potentially still on that witness stand!)

“I know that I know that I know!”

Understanding the effects of wind, waves and currents is not an easy subject to master. Waves (humans who may be intent on verbal attacks) behave differently under a large variety of different conditions.

So to be familiar with all, or at least rough water conditions, a professional seaman or how about an expert witness such as myself?!, uses knowledge and skills to confidently control the ship through to the calm following the storm. That’s what it takes to be a good expert witness. I’m here to help you help your client.

In another blog, I continue with another element of emotional intelligence ~ EI ~ stay in the ship!

Contact me, Amy E. Botkin, at 515-778-0634 or amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com to discuss your case, or anything else you’d like to discuss with me, like the weather!? I’m here to help attorneys help their clients on cases involving work and disability.

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My professional consulting practice focuses on helping attorneys help their clients with civil litigation matters

August 13, 2019
Emotions and Changing Your Mind…Don’t Lose Your Keys & Don’t Delay Contacting Me For Help on Your Litigated Case!

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I’ve mentioned in past blogs that I’d write more about my brother. We referred to him as: (and his name has to be said really fast) Steven John Patrick Henry Murphy Fred George John Prochnow. Yep! And this is all I’m writing about my brother at this time because I chose to change my mind on this week’s writing!

Change is inevitable. Change is constant. Change is what makes my world go around and around! And therefore, this post is about emotions and relationships.

During my master’s level coursework at Drake University, I started studying emotions and continually learn how to apply what I’m learning about emotions in my own life, especially when it comes to relationships and conflict.

Over the years, I’ve come to realize and accept that I’m pretty adept at identifying a person’s emotions within situations and contexts that I understand. What to do with that knowledge is what matters, especially as an empathetic rehabilitation counselor like me, with abilities to sense people’s emotions, and imagine what s/he might be thinking or feeling, and consider how I can help (if needed to help).

Here we are at home after a photo shot at church ~ Fall 2011 (The above was a photo taken by our son, the actual picture in our church directory looks like we’re related to Frankenstein!)

As a complex creature each human is driven by emotions, beliefs and various points of view that most likely do not coincide perfectly (if at all) with yours. Does that need to make or break a relationship? No, in my mind it enhances and strengthens a relationship. A relationship in no way needs to be “perfect”.

It can be difficult to understand all the emotions sailing around another person’s head, especially within a cultural context and from situation to situation. So to make it simple, let’s just consider basic emotions that could be experienced within relationships.

Basic emotions

Anger

Happiness

Fear

Sadness

Surprise

Disgust

On top of basic emotions and beliefs, you or the other person may also be in any state of HALT – being Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired. (I am so happy I learned this acronym way back as a new mom!)

If so, first address any state of HALT ASAP: hungry: eat; angry: cool down; lonely: become involved in the world around you; tired: rest. Once you change your state of being, there will be sensitivity rather than reactivity to any choices or decisions you make with that person.

Figure this sweetie out?

If bursts of emotion become too much to handle, what can you do? My way of answering this question involves taking a look at how people in love chose to culminate and sustain a healthy relationship .

You can sense how they appreciate each other. They freely accept their differences. They both are confident, responsible and believe in trust. They simply allow each other to be their own person. In my eyes, that’s the key….to the front door (if you want in).

Keys to the Front Door and to the Back Door

And to answer the question regarding how to handle “emotional outbursts” rests in changing your mind. Choose to judge the situation or circumstance in exactly the opposite direction. The key to the back door (if you want out) is to change the way you think and feel about yourself and others. It’ll work, trust me! Just be sure you’re not letting your feelings turn into facts….that will never happen.

Always Keep Both Keys on Hand And DON’T LOSE EM!

If a persons’ emotions are significantly part of your case, I can provide the person’s true story which explain to others how emotions are shaped by experiences and why emotions matter.

How Do You Feel About Roller Coasters? Tell Me the Truth!

I’ve had my share of emotional roller coasters in my life and know how and often why emotions convey information and generate action. Would it be a good legal strategy to include what your client’s thoughts and feelings are revealing? This type of forensic material may show how your client’s emotional states may or may not be affecting the case.

Trust me, I continuously study emotions and personalities. And I believe that every individual has the right to write or re-write their story. A happy ending is always the goal. No one but yourself can make you happy.

How can I help you help your client? Let’s talk. You can reach me at 515-778-0634 or amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com Thank you for reading!

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My professional rehabilitation counseling practice is focused on helping people participate in the world around them, particularly in their own world of work.

August 6, 2019