And you guys thought I was crazy.... 8-)

LOL. What's so crazy about that!

A) fixed.
B) nothing wrong with that at all. the only strings being my wife's family: two sons still living here, mom&dad may go when we go, sister still living here (the one she's closest too, to boot).

btw, this is still all a daydream. i appreciate the responses because they have touched on things that i hadn't thought of or contain small pieces of info that will help in my decision.

basically, i was just tested for cognitive ability and behavior. natch, i scored off the chart in cognitive ability with a strong trend toward memory (remembering things that had nothing to do with each other). i had thought that my brain was fried, but these tests show that i still have it.

since i started life as a computer programmer, hired right out of high school, it is only natural that that will play some part in my future, whether it be major or minor. i already have a strong innate ability to get people to do what i want them to do (10 years as a manager) so business management may play a role, as well. interesting to note that the two things i excel in can be combined to form a solid resume. and, of course, i would list my previous experience and have to explain it during an interview.

but i do have a good recommendation from the testing doctor, which will be forwarded to Voc Rehab. the case worker i got assigned to is the team leader at the site, and she has basically stated and implied that whatever i decide to do she will endorse. i've never had an opportunity like this before, where someone has basically said here's a blank check, do what you want to do, so i am kinda in a spin over it. the decision between the money or the education will obviously affect the rest of my life.

there is also a possibility that i cannot complete schooling due to the physical aspect, and then we would basically be right here again, where the court would have to decide if i am really employable and faking it to get the money or if i am truly 100% disabled (4 doctors surveyed). i don't know how anyone in their right mind could think i was faking this after the surgeries i've had, the meds i take everyday and the computer i have implanted in my back... why would anyone subject themselves to so much pain just for the money?

This is America, remember the hot coffee lawsuit :-x:shock:

My question is why you wouldn't be able to work after you collected it?

I would take the cash but I am curious about that^^^^

Because the entire reason *you* are getting the money is because you are no longer able to work....

- Justin

Well to be completely honest if that was the case, I would have to be put in that situation to decide. That is extremely difficult decision. I always regret not getting a college education because I couldn't afford it. I also have never seen that much money and pray one day I will be lucky enough to say I have. So, my answer is, I don't have one. Either way, they are two very good roads to travel down and if used wisely can benefit *you* significantly in the future.

exactly how i feel... i am not one to air my laundry in public, but i just had to get some input on this thing before my head exploded. and it really is an either/or situation. of course, i could take the cash and put myself through school... no, now i've done it, too many options. i'll be cleaning my brains off the monitor if anyone needs me.

:mrgreen:

But if one takes the money, and then goes to school, what good would it do them if they can't work after school?

well, it would be for my own edification at that point. i've always wanted to "school learn" something that i always had a natural ability to do.

oh yeah, and once i get paid i will be living in another country. not immediately, but shortly thereafter. who's to say what i do when not under the watchful eye of big brother?

Depends on if you become a 'resident' of that country and/or maintain permanent residence full time and become a 'citizen'. Once you give up your US citizenship, they can't touch you (if you go that route).....but honestly....out of the country is out of US territory :)

regardless.....good luck. :) I wish the best for you (and I don't think we've ever even met). 8-)

hmm.. Interesting proposal.. guess my dual citizenship would come in handy in that situation :lol:

indeed.

however, they are phasing that out. it is not possible for a US citizen to become a citizen of another country and still maintain their citizen status here. they want you to either stay a US citizen or get the hell out. and those coming in are no longer being given a choice to stay a citizen of their own country after they become a US citizen.

i don't get the government anymore, which is part of the reason why i want out. the only thing that would be impacted would be my social security, but they are thinking about tightening their belts and sharply reducing benefits for disabled people to make sure there is enough money for the retirees (since the number is growing exponentially with the baby boomers now reaching the age of retirement).

so, if they do away with SSD, or reduce it to a point where i wouldn't have any use for it, then i would have to think about opening a little bodega in CR in an effort to keep the cash coming in.

Funny how they say your in or your out when someone wants to come into the country and be a part of this great nation, but if you jump a border and work in a sweat shop you can have all the benefits you want for free. Just another said example of why political parties suck.

Really? My mom had put off US citizenship because they wouldn't allow her to have dual. They finally changed their minds somewhere along the line and now she's just knee deep in paperwork to do so.

it was a policy change in line with the patriot act. it's not a law, just a policy or guideline that they use. sure you can do it, but like your mom, you get swamped with paperwork that needs to be filled out in triplicate. they had computers in the office right next to their typewriters (cause of the thickness of the paperwork, some had to be typed).

it also depends on the case worker and what kind of mood s/he is in and how much work s/he wants to do for you. sounds like you got a good one. he isn't viet-namese by any chance, is he?

the patriot act had a rippling effect through many state and local governments as well as federal. the TSA got so much flak for the way they were treating people that they had to make some consessions, but really quick. they change their policies so much i can't keep up with them. i just check all of my baggage and don't try to carry anything on board.

so i am sure some of you would like to know the outcome. if you don't, just hit "back" to go back to the forum menu.

Voc Rehab has stated that "it is highly unlikely that he would be able to be retrained and by extension unable to work", which i paraphrased but used quotes because it comes close enough. so, as far as the worker's compensation court is concerned, i am 100% disabled with no chance at retraining at this point in time. Voc Rehab went on to say that if i was retrainable, i would need a scooter or powered wheelchair and vehicle modifications in order to transport the scooter to school. that there is a chunk of money, for those that didn't know that the scooter store (from TV) routinely sells scooters in excess of $3000. them things ain't cheap.

now, there is a silver lining in that thunderhead of a cloud: regardless of the outcome of the worker's compensation case, being eligible for social security disability, which i am, automatically makes me eligible for state sponsored education. i can have my cake and eat it, too. she told me to come back after the worker's comp case settles and try a class or two, just to see how i can handle it. i said the last time i was in class was early 2000s or so, and although i never completed a class i have passing grades for the two i was in (imagine never taking a mid-term or final and still scoring high enough for a passing grade... yeah, i am that smart :mrgreen: ).

however, the WC case may still take a while to settle, so i am in limbo until then. just like always, it seems. but the cool thing is i have patience, and the wife and i have tightened our belts sufficiently to withstand 10 more years at this pace, while still living very comfortably.

there you have it. i never would have imagined it being a multiple choice question...

Well, you sure lucked out on that one. (Besides the obvious pain and suffering and all that jazz)

Good luck with everything.

in a place such as NJ where an average house costs 400k I'd take the education over the cash now if it was say 500k-1mill there would be other things to consider but 400k is jsut to little of cash to get at once and expect to never work again,just do the simple math rent,bills,food, entertainment the average person spend nearly 30k a year so that 400k would get you what 12 years and that isn't enough to live on until retirement.

We'll cross our fingers and hope your WC case goes as well

lol i got bored and didn't read past the first page before I posted my reply but thats still my opinion

thank you. and thanks to all those who have wished me well with this. it's been a never-ending nightmare. thankfully this, too, shall pass and we'll see what an old fart can learn in college.

there is a dollar limit, but it's actually quite liberal and i am sure i could roundup a school or two that can teach me engineering of some sort. that's the plan, since i would in no way would i be able to complete a hands-on job training situation. this is all coming from the case worker. she's been there for a while and has seen a few cases, so i trust her implicitly.

Engineering FTW!
Good luck!
You could be a tutor for dazed and confused mechys! :mrgreen:

You going to dorm on campus? :lol: