Vocational Resources Plus LLC

Tag: Life Care Planning Services

Happy Labor Day to All of Iowa’s Workers!

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(Original Post Date 9/7/2015) Iowa has a great reputation for strong work ethic! We know it! And from what I’ve heard, ask most any Floridian employer and if you’re from Iowa, you applied and you got the skills….you’re hired!! Click here for a free online Occupational Work Ethic Inventory (OWEI).

Personally, I am incredibly proud of my children (and my husband’s) work ethic. For example, just recently, my son Jake covered for a co-worker who called in sick; resulting in him working 11 hours in one shift for Jimmy John’s. The next day, his boss offered him a raise! Which was taken!

Jake is a fan of Zombies!

Arin, although at this time she still works her two jobs at the Des Moines Public Library (Library Aid at the Franklin branch) and Zombie Burger as a host; is dropping down to only one day a week at the library through September. She’ll then be working only one job as she needs time to be a 19 year old! Working 60 hours a week takes its’ toil on a person. Plus Arin’s considering going to college! (She has strong interest and entry level skills in sign language.) Psssst: Arin, check this out about DMACC’s program in ASL.

Workers Monument, by Artist Michael Stutz, State Capitol Grounds, Corner of East 9th Street and East Grand Avenue, Des Moines, Iowa

As you know, I’ve written many times about my husband’s work ethic….he’s yea, quite ethical!

And now, I’d like to write a bit about Randy’s father, James C. (Botkin. Jim worked for over 30 years for AT&T. He was a union member.

I’m pretty convinced we learn work ethic from our parents.

Here’s his union card and plaques/awards (that help decorate my office wall) G’pa Jimmy received for his dedication to his work…they read:

TELEGRAPH SERVICE 1887 – 1991 JIM BOTKIN In Recognition of Your Invaluable Contribution. (I’m thinking 1887 is when American Telephone and Telegraph Company was a start-up!)

HAPPY RETIREMENT JAMES C. BOTKIN ~ 30 Years Service With AT&T 1961 – 1991

AJ and Grandpa Jimmy, Christmas Eve, 2004

A fond memory I have of my very loving, caring and silly father-in-law is how he always answered his home phone so professionally and succinctly: “Botkin Residence”.

My dad on the other hand would say before he picked up the receiver, “it’s your nickel.” And Dick raised it to .10 Cents…and up…as time progressed. (Need to do that with the minimum wage here in Iowa…….$7.25 is one of the lowest states.)

To all workers out there, THANK YOU for each and every day you work. All workers deserve dignity and fair wage.

And to all those workers who are no longer able to work, be sure to take some time to be grateful for how our workforce operates.

Statistics for You: As of July 21, 2015, Iowa’s seasonally adjusted unemployment rate dropped to 3.7 percent in June from 3.8 percent in May. The state’s jobless rate was 4.4 percent one year ago. The U.S. unemployment rate dropped to 5.3 percent in June. Source: https://www.iowaworkforcedevelopment.gov/

Please let me know how I can help you help your client return to work. And if the client cannot return to work, I can help with that too! A life care plan that incorporates vocational rehabilitation or a loss of earnings evaluation become valuable tools to help resolve complex matters of employment.

I Hope You Enjoy a Safe & Memory Filled Labor Day!

___________________

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

September 7, 2015
Ever Had a Real Lemon? Customer Service Has to be Peachy!

Reading Time: 4 minutes
Ever had a real lemon of a car? Ever had horrible customer service regarding it? Let me tell you, recently (original blog date May 18, 2015) two guys representing Teen Challenge and their vehicle donation program hauled away my daughter Arin’s first car….a used green VW Jetta.

Jetta

Ooohh, that car >:(

Arin had saved her money from working for a long time at her first job at Okoboji Grill as a host and at age 16 bought it with cash. Pretty impressive that girl is, huh! She, with her dad, “found” the car at Farley’s on the East side which we DO NOT recommend….see below for a nasty review.

Yet for the time she drove her first car (what was yours? mine was a blue Maverick), AJ loved her car and driving! Many an adventure until…..the day the Jetta crapped out; she was returning from a day trip to Lake Red Rock. I had to search for her and her friend stranded on the side of a gravel road (imagine what was going through my motherly head)!

Luckily I came across a group of firefighters close to a town who were gathering ‘fill the boot’ donations and upon my plea for help, one kind firefighter took charge. (Note: I love and appreciate firefighters ~ recently, Des Moines’ Fire Chief sent my husband Randy a card congratulating him on his educator award…very cool!)

I followed the firefighter’s pick up truck, and he found the young stranded motorists…. then the tow truck and the COSTS that ensued. We got the car fixed temporarily in Pleasantville; then more fixing in Des Moines. Arin drove it for another year, and the cost to “fix it” (read: new engine) cost just as much as she originally paid for it (like $6k).

Do the math and gag with me.

Here’s what Randy wrote about it (the auto purchase) nine months ago (~9/14) in a Google business review of Farley’s Wholesale Tires & Autos ~

“Would never do business with this company again. Bought a used 1999 VW Jetta only to find out that someone had put Radiator Stop Leak in the car. It did the job on the radiator but it also caused the thermostat housing and all the other hoses to be so clogged causing the car to overheat and this killed the engine after 1,500 miles.

When I went to Pat Farley to see what he was willing to do he told me that it was a used car and that he would not and was not willing to do anything. I had to put a new engine in the car, replace numerous hoses and coolant joints and flush the engine 5 times to clean it out and get it back on the road. Have had numerous problems with the car.

Please beware of this individual and his company they are crooks who do not care about their customers, they are just trying to make a buck.” ~ Randy Botkin

Lemon, as in a bad car, or something affected by an unfixable original manufacturing defect.

Anyway, a few weeks ago Arin purchased a new car from name of dealership, a Black Ford Fusion, and being used, hopefully it will not be a lemon like the Jetta. Thank you Teen Challenge for accepting our donation and for helping the youth you serve.

Bye Bye Jetta

BTW, do you have a Jetta 1990-2005 that needs new lights? (Update: sold em on Craig’s List!)

Randy had replaced these headlights (new headlights really make a difference in visibility!), and removed them before the car was towed away. For sale on Craig’s list too!

The point of this blog is about serving your customers well. I will do all I can to take care of my customers and provide quality services!

You can expect me to be professional and caring. I am fully knowledgeable of my role and understand my business objectives completely. This combined with my passion for my work and my company’s offerings make it easy to deliver the best service possible.

Plus, I’ll treat you like a peach!

Please let me know how my consulting services could help on a litigated case involving disability and work. I’m here to help attorneys help their clients.

Give me, Amy Botkin, a call at 515-778-0634 or email me at amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com to start a discussion about your case. Thank you for reading!

___________________

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

August 22, 2015
1st Bug Bite, 1st Sunburn & 1st Boat Ride!

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Living through my 1st Bug Bite, 1st Sunburn & 1st Boat Ride means summer 2015 is near!

“Summer” by Walfrido

The bite (thinking bee) sure made my right arm swell up and hurt. At the onset I thought, gee, all my workouts have produced hefty triceps (wouldn’t happen on only one side silly), but NO my arm for about a week looked like a football player’s arms.

The boat ride (thank you so much Ted & Beth Erickson!) Sunday on Lake Panorama was wonderful! Good thing the one (of a select few) plants I can really grow well is readily available at my house. My burn wasn’t bad, but I will prepare for sunnier days to come with my aloe vera plants.

Here’s a Quick Juicing Recipe:

Light and Lemony Aloe Vera
1 cucumber
1 apple
1 lemon
2 tablespoons of aloe vera pulp

And click here for 30 Uses for Aloe Vera.

My love of coconut oil and essential oil is great for sunburn and other skin issues. Prepare for June, July and beyond. August will be really special this year for more reasons than one! Okay, the big one is that Randy and I are celebrating our 25th wedding anniversary. What should we do?! Here’s a shot of us in 2012 celebrating August 4, 1990. You can take your own bottle of wine to DJango (yummy!)

Raspberry Wine for the Meal DJango

We both look silly!

This week my sister Janice is flying in from Fort Lauderdale. We’ll be having some fun! And some sadness, as Katy, a friend Janice spent a lot of time with in high school committed suicide and there’s a memorial for her this weekend in Iowa Falls. I had a friend, Sally, who I too spent a lot of time with growing up, who did the same, that is commit suicide last year. It’s horrible. I love life so much, I am so incredibly saddened that mental health and hatred can really ruin the world for some.

Whatever Makes You Happy You Put Into Your World

Stay safe this summer, have fun and relax. And be grateful for each day of your life! I personally have to really watch out for bugs, especially spiders, bees and yellow jackets, wasps and hornets; and poison ivy. There’s a whole story or three on what bugs and poison ivy have known to do to my body…..NOT GOOD.

I need to be sure to keep an epi-pen near, or at least be sure people who I’m with know (if we’re outside) to help me to be cautious about what’s floating around…. And I have to make a new poison ivy kit for thhis summer (read: glass jar with vinegar, and small towel)….just in case.

I’m going to read my homework for tonight’s CRHP session now…..it’s beautiful outside! If you are curious, Christ Renews His Parish (CRHP, pronounced “Chirp”) is a spiritual renewal weekend designed to help individuals grow in their personal relationship with Jesus Christ and with others in their faith community. It is an excellent opportunity for Catholics to renew their understanding of the basic beliefs and traditions of their faith. And I’m helping to prepare the next women’s retreat in August for my parish, All Saints Catholic Church. That’s my next big event planned for this August, hosting a CRHP retreat!

Please let me know how I might help with life care planning and/or vocational consulting. I’m here for you!

Note: I changed my byline as of 5/22/15

___________________

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

June 2, 2015
Empty Nest = Freedom! Good Job Parental Units!

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Okay, my readers, curious why I didn’t post anything in awhile? Here’s why….the kids moved out last weekend! (So I’ve been busy, busy!) Jake and Arin moved into a furnished house by Grand View University with their friend Bridget and her mother. Although I already miss them incredibly, the job we set out to do is complete – and we did it well!

Good Job Parental Units!

When kids are on their own they’ll learn to do a lot more for themselves, allowing them to be strong and experience life on their own terms. Plus, they will be better people and believe more in themselves.

Jake took his Hedgehog Sandslash, but the rabbit Mollie and the hamster (update: Aphrodite went to hamster heaven in August 2015) are still here (they will probably be moving out shortly!) And Alaska the white puddy tat stays stays put!

All are all welcome to visit, but Marvin K. Mooney maybe not yet!

I’ve been going through, organizing and ditching stuff galore, of course! Not done yet, but wowsa! It is odd to have so much room, although my house didn’t grow from it’s 900 square foot of living space!

Found this behind Arin’s dresser:

And no more of this (waahh) commonly found in the fridge:

JJ Bread

My goal is to focus more on work with an organized mind! Ahh, I still need to organize my electronic files in a more [fun]ctional way! And my bike, my bike! More time to ride!!!!!! I am so excited about my future!

Empty Nest = Freedom!

The birds have flown and will be just fine, thank you! Please let me know how I can help with a case involving the vocational aspects of a litigated family law, personal injury or workers’ compensation case. I feel “a bit more” credible knowing that I (we, yes Randy!) reached this stage of maturity in life! It is truly a blessing to serve as a parent. I have learned so much from my children….stay safe my loved ones!

You Go Botkin!

___________________

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

May 11, 2015
Pops is Tops! Thank You Randy for all your Hard Work in Alternative Education!

Reading Time: 3 minutes
Original post date: April 28, 2015

Thank you for congratulating Randy, news writer Mike! In thinking about it, all in all it’s a pretty cool deal! Last week he kinda had enough with being the celebrity (ha ha ha!) Randy was in the newspaper, on television news, in various internet stories, and on a digital billboard or two in town! Read on!

Below is the story written by Mike Wellman 9:35 a.m. CDT April 17, 2015 in the Des Moines Register, ~ Scavo teacher is tops in alternative ed

Smile Silly : \

Scavo Alternative High School teacher Randy Botkin was named the 2015 Iowa Association of Alternative Education (IAAE) educator of the year.

Botkin has worked in the Des Moines Public Schools system for 22 years, all of them in an alternative school setting.

“I had the pleasure to work alongside Randy as a teacher at Scavo from 2000 to 2003,”Scavo principal Rich Blonigan said in nominating Botkin for the award, “and now again as principal. During my time as a colleague, Randy has exemplified what it means to be a teacher in an alternative setting. Randy has great rapport with students and families. He has the ability to connect with his students and motivate them to do their best.”

Botkin received the award at the IAAE annual conference April 9-10 in Davenport.

The educator of the year is presented to an alternative educator who is making a significant contribution to alternative education in Iowa. This award honors one individual each year.

Botkin’s award comes on the heels of last year’s induction of longtime Scavo teacher Steve Peters into the IAAE Hall of Fame.

Des Moines’ alternative school program dates back to 1968 when the Greater Des Moines Education Center opened on Forest Avenue. The center moved one year later to the city’s north side.

In 1972, a second alternative school opened on the south side. That facility, Alternative South, was renamed for former principal Vincent C. Scavo in 1995.

Scavo has moved to a few locations since then and in January it moved a renovated space at Central Campus that includes on-site services like a medical and dental clinic, counseling and food pantry.

***

Watching this digital billboard was so exciting!

Arin our beauty, likes to call her dad “Pops” Pops is Truly Tops!

Be sure to thank your own dad (or husband/spouse/partner) for their hard work! And especially thank the teachers in your community. FYI: Teacher Appreciation Week is celebrated during the first full week of May each year.

I hope your legal work is going well. Let me know how I might help with a personal injury or workers’ compensation case that would benefit from vocational consulting or life care planning! As well, I can help answer vocationally related questions on a divorce case.

Contact me at 515-778-0634 or amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com

Thank you for reading this post. I have written many more for your reading pleasure!

___________________

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

April 28, 2015
Congrats to the 2015 Alternative Educator of the Year!
Reading Time: 3 minutes
Randall Botkin wins The IAAE Educator of the Year Award!

~ Educator of the Year ~ The Educator of the Year is presented annually to the alternative educator who is making a significant contribution to alternative education in Iowa. This award will honor one individual each year who is making an outstanding contribution to his/her students, school and community. Any alternative education teacher, supervisor, administrator, or counselor may be nominated.

Randy has taught in the Des Moines Public System for 22 years!

Here’s some of the good words from his nomination letters:
- During my time as a colleague Randy has exemplified what it means to be a teacher in an alternative setting.
- Randy has great rapport with students and families.
- He has the ability to connect with his students and motivate them to do their best.
- Over the 22 years of his teaching career he has been a major influence in the lives of students in Des Moines.
- Randy has taught all subject areas and grade levels as a special education teacher to courses such as cooking, parenting and woodshop.
- His background and work ethic support a learning environment that all students can learn and achieve at high levels.
~ Richard Blonigan, Principal, Scavo High School. Rich has worked with Randy from 2000-2003 in a teaching role and is currently the high school’s principal.

Here’s more!:
- Randy is a humble man, but the work he does is amazing.
- Randy never gave up on any student.
- He always encouraged and engaged and graduated most of them. He worked with the student who have the “worst” behavior in Des Moines.
- Randy is the first person to volunteer and support staff and students.
- The work we do is difficult, but Randy never lets it get him down.
- He is consistent and positive in the face of any potential obstacle.
~ Randi Oleson, Principal – District Wide Programs, Des Moines Public Schools, written March 31, 2015. Randi worked directly with Randy for 9 years.

To A Favorite Educator!

If you recall, I let you know I was saving a secret. Well, now’s the time to share more good news! This January 2015, Randy accepted the position of transition coordinator for Scavo High School (he’ll continue to teach as well.)

With his expertise (ahh, he still needs to take courses through Drake), skills and most importantly knowledge of our educational system (and his love for his career), he will assist me with life care plans that involve school age children and those who are transitioning on into adulthood and into the workforce!

More to come, but here’s Mr. B in action (yes this shot is staged) and was taken over winter break on 1/2/15 in his new classroom at Central Campus!

Mr. B!

Please let me know if you need a life care plan involving an adult or a child. I promise to provide the most detailed and worthy plan for consideration.

___________________

My professional rehabilitation counseling practice is focused on helping people find a place in the workforce
April 10, 2015
Preparing to Graduate…Again!

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Just an update to let my readers know I am nearly done with my most recent learning adventure through George Washington University….that lasted well over a year! I certainly learned a lot about forensics rehabilitation consulting, and really appreciate my cohort comprised of really smart rehabilitation counselors across the country!

There are students from the great states of Iowa (me!), Texas, Ohio, Washington, Maryland, North Carolina, Virginia, Colorado, the District of Columbia, and who am I missing? Kansas?!

Our Beautiful Country is so Colorful!

I’ve been in all our states but Washington, Hawaii and Alaska. This was traveling done mostly as a youngster, in the back of a station wagon with the entire family (oh, the memories!).

Back to the current times Amy….! During the forensic rehabilitation coursework, I placed heavy emphasis on the study of ethics. Because I feel comfortable with my own ethics, in turn I feel comfortable with forming my own opinions (and expert ones at that!)

One ethics paper I prepared in October, 2013 for the course Foundations of Forensics Rehabilitation Counseling II (COUN 6396) emphasized Ethics, Values and Character Surrounding My Career in Private Practice.

In another ethics paper I submitted in Spring 2014 for the course Law and the Rehabilitation Counseling II (COUN 6396), I analyzed Ethics and Vocational Reports. Specifically, I critiqued a Certified Rehabilitation Counselor and his USE OF TESTING INSTRUMENTS in VOCATIONAL EVALUATIONS.

Along with submitting my paper to GWU, I also submitted it to a professor from the great State of Washington who teaches ASSESSMENTS to master’s level rehabilitation counseling students. I received powerful feedback from her.

I am happy to share what I’ve learned and how it can be best applied to meet your litigation needs. My papers are available, just ask and I’ll see if you really want to read all about it! Call me at 515-282-7753 or email vocresources@gmail.com. Or easier yet, connect with me on LinkedIn. I’ve posted them there!

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

July 14, 2014
My Grandma Jean Loved to Read Using 2nd Sight!

Reading Time: 4 minutes
Did you know, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Women’s Bureau, that women are nearly half of our Nation’s workforce and more than half of our college graduates? Another interesting stat is the proportion of women with college degrees in the labor force has almost quadrupled since 1970. Guess what? My grandma Jean Dodge was a college graduate,!

I have fond memories of Grandma and she definitely was not boring! Jean lived in a condo, loved to golf, and drove a flashy red Corvair! She enjoyed going on vacations, including cruises too.

The color and model of Jean’s car matched her hair and her fingernails!

Grandma enjoyed spending time vacationing at her and Grandpa’s timeshare condo in Fort Walton Beach, Florida, soaking up the sun and feeding seagulls on the white sand beach. With outstretched arms, she’d hold a few pieces of cooked bacon high in the air and the gulls would swoop down and pluck the bacon from her fingers! At times she’d get a little swarmed and would have to back off the beach! Ahh, she loved Fort Walton Beach (me, too!)

Hey, there she is again, let’s go!

G’ma has a bachelor degree When she met her future husband Jack , they were both attending Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. It was unusual for a young woman in those days (like the 30s) to attend college.

Willie the Wildcat ca 1960 (Northwestern U’s mascot)

In later life, G’ma Jean became legally blind. But, that did not stop her from reading. She constantly absorbed information and being visually handicapped allowed her to do things differently…and with a flair as usual!

My sister Julie brought over this article published September 7, 1978 in a local Northbrook, Illnois newspaper. I wish I could see closer at which necklace she’s wearing, as Jean loved her jewelry!

Taped books offer 2^nd sight

Here’s excerpts from the news article ~

Like many avid readers, Jean P Dodge reads 3 or 4 books a week. Unlike most other readers, she reads with her ears. Mrs. Dodge awoke last Easter to find her vision gone, destroyed by an un-diagnosed illness. That still mystifies doctors. She is one of the few local person who make use of free special library services for the visually and physically handicapped.

The services include Braille and large type (twice the normal size) books, along with phonograph and cassette tape recordings of dramatic readings of books (Talking Books). All these services are available through the Northbrook Public Library 1201 Cedar Ln as well as most other Northshore libraries.

The Golden Notebook, The Black Path, Saffron Skies (I love titles!)

Mrs. Dodge, a self-described former “avid” reader of paperback fiction, said Talking Books serves as a psychological link to the life the 64-year Northbrooker enjoyed before developing impaired vision.

“I’ve been reading for about 60 years, so it (losing most of her vision) made quite a hole in my life. I read constantly. It was one of the greatest sources of my amusement. Talking Books made all the difference in the world to me. I feel so much more normal. It has made such a tremendous difference in life as far as getting back to where I used to do,” she said.

Mrs. Dodge learned about Talking Books from a daughter in law employed at Deerfield Public Library that also supplies the service admitted that without her new verbal world of reading “I would probably go nuts.”

“I would be a very bored and unhappy person. Radio and television would be my only options to pass the time. I can’t be in my car running around anymore, so I have a lot of spare times. This fills the breach.” ~ the entire article was written by Richard Sheehan.

And so, Grandma, very nice article. Thank you for continuing to do what you loved while also loving all of us grandkids! My grandma helped instill my love of reading. She even enrolled me in (and paid for it!) a book of the month club! It was great, books mailed right to me. Thank you for helping to shape my history grandma!

Visit www.WomensHistoryMonth.gov to learn more about the generations of women who have shaped our history.

If I can help you help a client who’s lifestyle has changed due to disability or functional limitation, it’s important to look into new ways of enjoying hobbies and any other avocational activity. A person should not have to lose out and be bored and unhappy (as g’ma said). If a life care plan is in order, hobbies (and how they are viewed) in the person’s future can be included. Contact me to discuss your case.

___________________

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

March 11, 2013
2013 Year of the Snake…Fear of em or Love of em?

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My sister Julie has had problems with snake(s) in her basement during the summer months in the past. She has actually learned how to deal with it rather admirably. I’m not sure if she had one last year or not, but I didn’t hear about it. Julie knows how to save em and send em packing! Here’s a great article about What to Do About Snakes [if you find one in your house!]

There’s no justification for the persecution of these animals!

The point of this blog is not only to point out this is the year of the snake, but it is also to pay attention to what fears some people have. When I work with a client or assess an individual, it is likely that some type of fear, resentment, “issue”, or negative feelings are brought to the surface.

Therefore, it is important to make note of what fears [irrational or not] are part of a person’s daily living. By the way, snakes are great garden predators and only can benefit your garden (plus their droppings are excellent fertilizer since their prey is so well digested)!

Fear exists only in your mind and only in the future…

Fear can be defined as an unpleasant emotion caused by the belief that someone or something is dangerous, likely to cause pain, or a threat.

Ultimately, all rehabilitation counselors have the same goal to help individuals cope and heal by altering their focus in life. We help others understand that although things may have altered dramatically, deep down, the person is still the same – a human with unique fantasies and fears, hopes and dreams, achievements and disappointments.

By working together to come to an understanding of the individual’s abilities and limitations, rehabilitation counselors can help the individual work through the various stages of loss…and emerge on the other side with a fresh outlook on life and the determination to make it through whatever challenges the disability may throw their way.

Read the Full Page: Rehabilitation Counseling – Rehabilitation Counselors AllAboutCounseling.com

At a recent brain injury rehabilitation conference, the key note speaker stressed “most people will learn to live with the changes in their life if they explore and focus on the “new you.”

Will this be the Year to Address Your Fear?

I am a fearful when Mother Nature exudes her wrath upon Earth, being relentless and there’s no stopping Her during a scary storm. But clearly all one can do when She strikes is to be prepared. Make sense? Be prepared, get help and know what you can do to help yourself and your family if fear gets in your way of daily living.

___________________

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

January 7, 2013
Seeking Help from Others…Michael from Malaysia and Eeyore from Pooh Corner!

Reading Time: 3 minutes
Okay, next up to blog about is the Microeconomics for Non-Biology majors course I took in the Spring of 1995. Although I took micro and macroeconomics during my DMACC days (and recall doing okay), this course at ISU was overwhelming. Therefore I am proud to say, I sought out help! I visited student services and was given names of potential tutors to contact.

That is how I found Michael from Malaysia! I hired Michael as my tutor and boy did he make me work and study hard. I remember taking notes upon notes upon notes, and meeting with Michael many times between classes. I received a B+ in the course and am very grateful for his help. Bottom line is I trusted him!

I sought help from Michael from Malaysia!

At some time everybody has difficulty accomplishing a goal that is important in life. Seeking help from others is a sign of self-respect.

Along with seeking help through student services, during difficult times I’ve also used the services of a mental health counselor and found group counseling beneficial to learn about myself and how my relationships impact others. I believe in other helpful therapeutic approaches such as Healing Touch and Meditation to help with my body, mind and soul. And I am very fond of Yoga too!

I had a great mentor in my earlier days as a vocational counselor. And I’ve been blessed to have a mentor in these early days of my work as a Life Care Planner. I embrace the fact that being trained in one field of expertise does not provide immunity from continuing to seek help from others within my field(s) or from other people in other fields. Continue on….for an example using one of my favorite characters!

Three stuffed Eeyores live in my office!

Although Eeyore can be a pessimistic and gloomy old donkey at times, one of his goals is to become the happiest donkey in the Hundred Acre Wood. He lives in Pooh Corner in his stick house, ya know and it can be overwhelming for him at times when he experiences distress.

Eeyore knows that to solve his problems he needs help. He’s not afraid to ask for help, accept help or offer help to help others. Examples include how Eeyore allows his friends to help him out of the river when he falls in, build his house when it tumbles down, put his tail back on when it falls out, and finding it when it gets lost which is really distressful!

Just as important, Eeyore livens up his friends when they are feeling low. Eeyore is a thinker, a planner, a consider-er. Nothing flits through his brain. Every thought and fact is held up for careful consideration, it’s value weighed and measured, and then precisely cataloged in his orderly brain for future reference. Eeyore is insightful and capable of great compassion. See why I love him?

“Thanks for noticin’ me” & “Ohhh-kayyy”

What can I do to help your client through difficult times, for example, following an accident or injury? I accept referrals from insurance carriers, claimant and plaintiff attorneys, and employers. I also accept assignments from self-paying individuals, and work with a range of community agencies.

Eeoyre and Amy at Disney World, 1997!

If you’ve experienced a work injury, reach out to your workers’ compensation adjuster to ask for assistance with returning to work or seeking new employment. New opportunities may arise in another field of employment. Remember Michael and Eeyore and their trustworthy personality. I hope I can serve you in that fashion.

I’m happy to help and will carefully consider your situation!

Contact me, Amy Botkin, at 515-778-0634 or at my email address amyebotkin@lcpresourcesplus.com to start a discussion about your case.

___________________

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

August 27, 2012