2004.08.29: August 29, 2004: Headlines: Application Process: Medical Guidelines: Yahoo Peace Corps Group: What to do if you are Medically Deferred: A Step-by-Step Guide
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2004.08.29: August 29, 2004: Headlines: Application Process: Medical Guidelines: Yahoo Peace Corps Group: What to do if you are Medically Deferred: A Step-by-Step Guide
What to do if you are Medically Deferred: A Step-by-Step Guide
I was just medically cleared after a frustrating, twelve-month application and appeal process. However, I have high regard for the hard-working Peace Corps Medial Office staff. There are many readers lurking out there that had contrasting experiences and results, and I benefiting from reading their thoughts and stories on this Group. I wish I had been told some of the things mentioned below before and during my medical appeal process. So take my biased advice to heart, or with a grain of salt.
What to do if you are Medically Deferred: A Step-by-Step Guide
Personal Disclaimer
I was just medically cleared after a frustrating, twelve-month application and appeal process. However, I have high regard for the hard-working Peace Corps Medial Office staff. There are many readers lurking out there that had contrasting experiences and results, and I benefiting from reading their thoughts and stories on this Group. I wish I had been told some of the things mentioned below before and during my medical appeal process. So take my biased advice to heart, or with a grain of salt. If anyone is trying to appeal back pain, asthma (the kind that only exists because the Peace Corps says you have it), or dental issues (such as ghost cavities) feel free to respond or contact me for more specific advice on how to beat the bureaucracy.
What to do if you are Medically Deferred: A Step-by-Step Guide
Step 1: Know that Medical Deferral/Denied is NOT the Worst Thing. The worst thing that can happen is NOT that your medical application will be denied or deferred. The absolute worst thing is to be in an undeveloped country without the medical infrastructure to support your condition. Even if you get by OK here in the states, the environment of Peace Corps countries puts tremendous strain on your system. Little or unknown problems can become severely distressing or life threatening. The second worst thing that can happen is for your medical condition to require that you be medically evacuated after a short time. This is unfair to other volunteers, the American taxpayers, the people you serve, and ultimately, yourself. So be honest with yourself and the Peace Corps and know that the medical process is for YOUR benefit.
Step 2: Contact the nurse assigned to your application. You will receive a formal letter, and possibly a phone call, informing you of the reason for deferral. When you read or here that you have been deferred for _____ months/years because of _____, you will most likely be upset, disappointed and confused. Have the Peace Corps nurse explain the reasoning behind your deferral, how your medical condition inhibits effective service, and how you can appeal the decision. I was misdiagnosed for back and leg pain, which made its way onto into my file as "L4/L5 nonlimiting compression neuropathy." That's a mandatory two-years without symptoms BEFORE your can be medically cleared. Before I applied my orthopedist had me taking various trials of medications and treatment for pain. When I uncovered the true cause of the pain (piriformis syndrome) and treatment (specific strengthening and stretching exercises), I had already been drugged up, X-rayed, injected, yoga-fied, and hospitalized for complications with a CT/myliogram. Obviously, all of that freaked the Peace Corps Medical Office out—for obvious reasons. If you act like a professional, patient, and honest adult, the nurse will explain everything and work with you
Step 3: Decide whether you will appeal or wait out the time. Peace Corps says that you have 60 days to make an appeal. While it is best to make the appeal on time, I waited six-months and was still successful. If you wait beyond the standard 60 days, which you should avoid if possible, be prepared to submit a personal statement explaining why you did not complete this process in time. It is best to inform your recruiter, placement office, and nurse of your decision to appeal. If you decide to wait out the deferral, the process stops here, but remember that you still may be able to appeal the decision later on.
Step 4: Start gathering the information necessary to make your appeal. Immediately schedule appointments with your doctors. Explain to your physicians what Peace Corps service entails, but why the Peace Corps deferred your application. Be prepared to have the physician explain your condition, how it is treated, and your need for follow up in the next two to three years. You will need to draft personal statements explaining your condition, how it affects you, and how you will cope during Peace Corps service. Be thorough and honest in your explanations—the information you and your doctors provide is most essential to your appeal.
Step 5: Continue working closely with the nurse assigned to your application, but do so judiciously and treat them with respect. The Peace Corps Medical Office is looking out for your own best interest and the nurse assigned to your application will serve as YOUR advocate in the process. As a federal employee, I guess I understand what it is like for the Peace Corps staff—overworked, under- appreciated, grossly underpaid, and dedicated to public service. Some of the people you speak with may sound annoyed or jaded, but Groups like this make everyone going through the medical process excitable, neurotic and impatient. Always call the Medical Office to make sure they have received your medical information, but understand that it will take several weeks for your stuff to be reviewed despite how often you call. I know that my nurse and other Medical Office staff work weekends during the busy summer and winter application season to catch up. They work hard, or at least think they do, so don't be another jerky applicant. The Medical Office knows and works under your departure timetable, assuming you promptly complete and returned pertinent medical information. However, it is likely that a deferral, even if successfully appealed, will require you to miss your anticipated departure. This is more reason to be patient and flexible—as all applicants are told to be from the beginning. If you didn't know the virtues of patience and flexibility, you will be compelled to learn them through the medical appeal process.
Step 6: Don't put your life on hold while waiting out an appeal. It is possible that you won't succeed, or will question your desire to serve during this time. Medical deferral gives you the benefit of reassess your reasoning and ability to serve in the Peace Corps. Not everyone is physically capable of climbing Mt. Everest, and not every can be medically cleared to serve in the Peace Corps. That doesn't mean your life can't be adventurous or meaningful. It is natural to be disappointed and a little depressed, but make sure you talk about your feelings with your spouse or family, friends and doctor.
Final Words of Advice
Be patient, persistent, optimistic, and polite. Be honest, thorough, accurate, and understanding. If you don't have a job or something to keep you busy while you are applying/appealing, get a job or volunteer. If you hate your current job or schoolwork, enjoy and get better at it. Don't sell your car, house or furniture just yet. Peace Corps service requires that you put your entire life on hold for two years. Don't put your life on hold during the medical application and appeal process. You will grow and benefit from this experience. Perhaps RPCV Rep. Sam Farr (D-CA) gave me the best advice "[paraphrasing] I knew a lot of people that let medical issues prevent them from serving because they were not patient and persistent enough. If you have a problem, resolve it or treat it and get better. It's worth the effort. It's worth the wait."
I'll have to see.
-B
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Headlines: August, 2004; Application Process; Medical Guidelines
When this story was posted in January 2009, this was on the front page of PCOL:
Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers
| Director Ron Tschetter: The PCOL Interview Peace Corps Director Ron Tschetter sat down for an in-depth interview to discuss the evacuation from Bolivia, political appointees at Peace Corps headquarters, the five year rule, the Peace Corps Foundation, the internet and the Peace Corps, how the transition is going, and what the prospects are for doubling the size of the Peace Corps by 2011. Read the interview and you are sure to learn something new about the Peace Corps. PCOL previously did an interview with Director Gaddi Vasquez. |
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Story Source: Yahoo Peace Corps Group
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