I'm going to try to make my point without it, but apologies if I PL at all.
We already knew that Lou has zero excuses to not get a job, but I'm about to give him less.
Pittsburgh has the OVR, the Office of Vocational Rehab (other states might call it the Division of Vocational Rehabilitation or something similar). Lou lives outside the city, but everything's done by phone now, anyway. You call up OVR, answer some basic questions, sign some forms, sign a release for them to get your medical records, and they determine whether or not to accept you as a client. From there, you get a personal counselor, who guides you through this part of the process and periodically checks in, to make sure you're on track.
If you're accepted and have poor finances, they'll pay for everything. Need adaptive driving equipment, like hand controls? They'll set you up with the Center for Assistive Technology, and the driving evaluation, lessons, and installation of adaptive equipment are covered. Don't have a car? They'll help you find one. CAT can also provide you with a custom-fit wheelchair (that you'll most likely have to pay 100% of the cost, if you want a decently comfortable one for daily use). Conveniently, they take all your measurements and handle all the paperwork involved with ordering, since they already work with the wheelchair manufacturers directly. They even have a machine shop on site, meaning they can make sure your chair fits perfectly, right then and there. So that's pretty neat.
Once accepted, OVR will hook you up with a third-party company like Achieva, where they'll go so far as to give you a one-on-one mentor, who will teach you how to write a resume, how to apply for jobs, or even
apply for you. Basically, how to be a functioning adult in society. They'll be as hands-on or hands-off as you need.
You don't even have to leave your house. They'll come to you!
If Lou qualified, which I think he would, he'd have someone holding his hand the entire time. Literally, if he needed it. These are the people who tard wrangle at job interviews, so they're used to dealing with people like Lou. I can't stress enough that, short of his mentor breathing for him,
Lou could not possibly have more help available. Those third-party companies that OVR works with exist solely so your ass and employment can become great friends. Or college, or a trade, or whatever the fuck your heart desires. Hell, they'll help you open a small business, with grants and everything! They don't care what you do, as long as you end up working.
And most disabled people
do want to work. It's humiliating to be an adult and have zero financial independence, too sick to function anywhere close to normal, but not sick enough to qualify for a tugboat. It's especially difficult if you've had health issues most of your life, so you have no degree, no certifications, and no work experience. Feeling
that trapped and hopeless, plenty of disabled people, even the cripples, will
jump at the opportunity to seize back some control of their life. A huge part of that is a regular paycheck.
If you're going to be depressed and in pain no matter what you do, why not be depressed, in pain, and making money?
Like most lolcows, I can't begin to fathom just how deeply miserable Lou must be.
And it's all his own fault, the dumb bastard.
Edit:
@Aunt Carol, how dare you take my words out of context and make them way fucking funnier than ever intended.
Jesus, thank you. I needed that laugh.
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