John's Next Step

Working on medical clearance. I made it through all my medical tests, just waiting on results before I turn in my last task.  My guess is that I’ll have the results this week.  The doctor found one small thing that kept me on the 5 year plan (have fun in another 5 years), ugh. By the time I submit my last task I will have sent just over 70 pages scanned and converted to pdfs to complete my tasks.  Having a scanner so you can convert to pdf and send signed documents back to Peace Corps makes life a little easier. I have been told that I have clearance from dental.  I expect that I will be assigned follow-up tasks for additional vaccines.  Hopefully, not a problem.  I’m guessing that I’ll need to go to the country health department for the shots. Peace Corps sent a friendly reminder that January 12 th , my deadline, is coming.  If all of my initial tasks are not complete by the deadline then I my invitation will be revoked. I know some people...

All the blood work initially requested by the Peace Corps has been drawn.  I am just waiting on the late (polio titer) results.  That test has to be sent away, so it might be a few days before I get the results.  Not sure how much this is going to cost, something I will report later. This week I have an outpatient test as part of my physical.  I’m not going to say what it is, but men and women over 50 can sympathize.  After I get all the results, hopefully before Christmas, I should be able to complete my my medical tasks. Then Peace Corps medical can start looking at the results and ask for additional information and such as needed. For example, it looks like one of the vaccines that I got in Ghana did not take, so I might need to get another shot or two.  Future Peace Corps volunteers know that after the initial round of medical tasks are completed and reviewed by the nurses there may be additional tasks requests.  It is all part of the process...

As mentioned I’m working to get medically cleared for service.  Last week I was worried about getting a procedure needed for my physical scheduled and I’m happy to report that I was able to schedule it before the end of the year. However, I’m juggling multiple tasks and I’ve run into problems with a blood test - prove polio immunization.  I got an adult booster a few years ago, but I cannot find my childhood immunization records so I need to get a polio titer test this time around.  I’ve been working with my doctor to try to get it scheduled but there seems to be some sort of issue to order the test.  I’m continuing to wait for a response from my doctor as they try to see what they can do.  And so I wait.  I might have to go to a different lab and pay for the test out of pocket. Again, the joys of Peace Corps medical clearance. This is not a complaint about the medical clearance process, just a post describing the work and difficulties in getting cl...

I been working to get a medical test scheduled.  First, I had to wait for my doctor, then for the scheduling service to call (a week) .   “Leave a message.”   “They will call you back.”   …. The last was,  “We need to check with the nurse, they will call today (Friday) or Monday.” ….. I’m watching my Jan 12 th deadline get closer and wondering if this procedure can be scheduled before the end of December with my current insurance or if it will be delayed with the holidays and my new insurance next year will cause other delays. Oh, the joys of 50+ Peace Corps medical clearance. I was able to get an eye exam.  I don’t have eye insurance and after a rather expensive eye exam I found that I did not have a drastic change in my vision.  I am getting new glasses and when you have progressive tri-focal transitions the price is not going to be small.  The damage was about $500.  One more task down and twelve to go for medical.  Most of ...

I selected a job as a grocery store cashier knowing that Thanksgiving and Christmas would be busy times – as the week before Thanksgiving was busy.  However, I did have a lot of fun with the customers.  Most everyone seemed to be in a good mood before Thanksgiving.  I was working at one of the better stores who recognize family time is important - the stores were closed on the holiday.  I was sort of surprised on Friday with the number of people frustrated or otherwise not in a great mood.  Hmmmm. Being with part of my family this year was nice.  I’ll likely be apart from family again for the next two Thanksgiving so this one was extra special.  My oldest son and his wife hosted the first dinner for Samantha, Brandon, and I.  We also shared a meal with Brandon’s family in the evening.  Both were very nice. Medical clearance With the holiday – I’ve not made much progress on medical.  I expect to get my eye exam next week and will...

After one receives and accepts an invitation to serve in the Peace Corps there is a wave of emails and tasks to be completed within a certain time.  It is best to get organized and start working on the tasks because some have tight deadlines.  It is also good to re-read the instructions carefully; I’ve already made one mistake. The tasks are divided into medical, legal, training, and administrative tasks. Medical clearance As one will be away for over 2 years and the Peace Corps takes your health and safety seriously, there is a rather rigorous medical clearance.  10% of those invited do not get medical clearance. It will be but over 6 months since I finished my service until I deploy so I will do the whole medical clearance.  In my case that means an initial 23 steps and 62 pages of documentation.  Some of it is just repeating tasks done last time or sending information I already have – such as a copy of my yellow card for my vaccination records. ...

I am excited to report that I have been invited to serve as a Primary English Literacy volunteer in the Eastern Caribbean leaving around the end of May next year.  This is a 2 year position, about 26 months with 9 weeks of pre-service training (PST).   My primary project will be working in an elementary school to help improve English skills.  This will be similar and different from my previous Ghana junior high experience teaching math and computers.  I will research possible secondary projects that might work in the region so I have some options once I get settled and understand the unique situation of my village. While the Eastern Caribbean will have nice tourist resorts and great beaches that will not be where I will spend my time.  Peace Corps is focused on the needs of the local population.  I will have modest living standards but should have water and electricity most of the time.  I’m so looking forward to it.  I will be doing a ...