hello again everybody

[junior]

to all the regulars...long time no see (or write) .  sorry i have not been around.  with the hollidays i guess i kinda fell through the cracks.  then i encountered some computer trouble , but i'm all fixed now .  for a quick update, i am still as frustrated as ever trying to break into l.e .  today i went to pick up an application packet for a small dept in my area.  the town is nice, the pay is great, and it would give my fiance and i a chance to move a little closer to her family.  as i read through the packet the city has a vision requirement .20/70 without glasses or contacts, 20/20 correctable.  needless to say i am blind as a bat without my contacts .  soooo i guess i'll have to continue to wait for the next one, and stay in a job that i despise!!  

it is good to be back , i look forward to reading everyone's interesting posts ;D.

junior  8)

[JimCMR]

Hey Junior;

Good to see you back in the bunch, I was wondering what happened to you.

Keep plugging, one day it will work out.

JimCMR

[[e-mail]]

No, Junior! Get in there and swing the bat! Each public agency has to comply with ADA (Amer.with Disabilities Act) and must accomodate when physically possible. I also wear contacts (hard) but the city of L.A. allows 20/100 correctable to 20/30 ( I'm 20/50,yeesh!) and have a correction to 20/20.If the vision condition comes to 20/20 or 20/25, you have a shot ,so please apply, and when it comes to the medical,you can appeal if you meet the corrected vision requirement.You already know that the old stereo  type of the contact flying out and you being blinded temporarily just isn't true! I've been in plenty of foot pursuits,wrestling matches,etc and those contacts just didn't "pop" out (no, they usually come out while laughing or on date- I had a "friendly drunk" on a radio call get down on the sidewalk and help me find one once- no kidding  ;D ) I EXPECT to here good thing from you this year, so get that application in...

[junior]

cpl mike,

thanks for the advice .  i have decided to go ahead and apply.  i was talking with a friend of mine who is a cop, he just finished the interview process with the secret service.  they too have a vision requirement, but the agent interviewing him told him that unless he voluntarily said his vision did not meet the standard there was nothing they could do to prove or disprove him.  he said he mentioned something about it being unconstitutional, maybe having to do with the a.d.a.  as far as i know there is no vision test.  regardless my eyesight is 20/20 corrected, that should be what counts.  i could not tell you the last time i lost a contact.  so like i said i am gonna appply, and keep my mouth shut.  hopefully i will have good things to share with everyone this year ;D.

junior  8)

[junior]

p.s. i think my eyesight is in the neighborhood of 20/400 .  if i am not mistaken, i believe that is legaly blind .

junior 8)

[Charlie]

Junior--Welcome back!  ;D Have you ever considered getting that laser eye surgery thing done? Man, I hear about it all the time on the radio and stuff. It might not get you to 20/20 but I hear for some folks, it can make a tremendous difference. At the same time, (Forgive my ignorance for not knowing much more) I have heard of some departments who have issues with candidates who have had some forms of vision corrected procedures such as the laser thing. BUT, I am not certain about that. I might have it confused with something else I think. Anyways, I often hear about this stuff and have heard nothing but good. Not sure if it is something you can get but it might be worth a look. Good luck.

Charlie

[junior]

charlie,

thanks i'm glad to be back!  i have actually considered th lasik procedure.  unfortunately my insurance does not cover such a procedure .  i had a friend who just had it done, he paid $4000 .  his eyesight was really bad, the next day he had 20/18.  i don't really trust these discount eye surgery centers.  i don't think an eye surgeon is something that should be bargain shopped for ;D.

junior  8)

[Charlie]

Junior--I can understand why you're hesitant to get the surgery done. Especially for what it costs. BUT, I think it is possible your eyesight in it's current state will possibly be a constant barrier unless you get something done about it. Sure, the $4000 price tag is steep but I am sure a lot of places have the convenient easy financing plans available too. Ultimately, the decision is up to you but it might be a worthwhile consideration. Give it careful thought and consideration. BUT, if you can get by with your current eyesight, good for you! 8)

I tend to agree with you about the discount eye centers. I don't think there is a price tag one can place on their eyesight! ;D  And, I too would not trust it to just anyone.

Charlie

[cpl_mike]

follow what charlie sez- shop around, someone will do it and it will be wrothwhile when you are hired! Good luck!

[[e-mail]]

Junior...I had the Lasik performed about 3 years ago. This was just before all these other discount clinics started popping up everywhere. I paid $4,000 for my eyes. Prior to surgery I was 20/400..now I'm 20/20. Best money I ever spent. I took out a line of credit to pay for mine. I also would hesitate to go with one of these discount places that has not been in business very long. When you're talking about your only two eyes only the best, most experienced doctors should be considered as far as I'm concerned.

DT