one last shot

i finally heard from the pc, after over two more months of waiting.  they re-rejected me.

i don't know whether the person who rejected me in the first place just didn't believe that the paperwork was an error, or if she/he just really believes i am unqualified to serve.  either way, i have to strenuously disagree.

so i got a call from my screening nurse on friday, the only contact i have during all of this mess.  i was expecting the good old email-to-inform-of-online-to-inform-of-letter-to-actually-inform routine, so i was happy to get a personal call.  not so happy to hear the outcome, which still seems a little surreal.  or maybe what's surreal is the fact that i'm taking it all with little emotion.

the screening nurse told me that there is one more possible step, if i decide to pursue it.  (if i decide to pursue it?  do i have anything to lose?)  that is a review in front of a board of doctors and nurses where the person who rejected me presents their case and my screening nurse presents her case.  then they are out of the picture and the board decides.  an absolutely final decision.

on the positive side, i did not know that the screening nurse was "on my side" until this phone call.  i knew someone else was doing the deciding on specific medical issues, but i didn't know she was my advocate (if that's what she is).  no matter, after this phone call, i feel like she is my ally and the person who can help me most, instead of just being boredly uninvested.

she indicated that there was a rating on my forms that, nearly a year old now, was not as high as they would like to see.  i asked whether an updated one would help make my case.  she "couldn't say that it would," but welcomed me to submit one.  i can't see how it would hurt.  thus begins the process of finding a different specialist who is willing to get to know me and my case very quickly and give a rating for something that is supposed to be developed over time.  ugh.

enter my "sleep shrink."  (don't ask, it's a long and strange story.)  it appears that not only can she help me (though it is beyond her technical role), but that she will do so almost immediately!  i love her!

soon i'll be writing a letter to my screening nurse to try to give her all the info and "warm fuzzies" and character she will need to support and argue my case.  added with this new, current assessment for the items in question, i hope the pc will have enough to make their decision.

yeah, i mentioned "character."  several of my friends and family members have said, "if they just knew you, they'd know what a great resource they would be passing up."  so i want to somehow capture in my letter not only the facts that the nurse will need to present my case as positively as possible, not only the reassurance that she should believe in me and does want to back me as best she can, but also some feel for the fact that i will make a terrific candidate and can deal with any challenges even better than your average person.

and if that doesn't work, the only other option concerning the peace corps is to wait a year and re-apply.  i must say that at this point in my life, while i am willing to turn everything upside down for this opportunity, i don't envision myself re-applying in a year.  maybe some day.  but not that quickly.