The Restriction

As many of you know, I have an epilepsy restriction. Last time around, I know of one country it cut out for an invitation--one I very much would've accepted. Anyway, this time around, I was thinking of researching neurological centers through out the region I may be placed in (and regions I'd like to be placed in) as well as 24-hr hospitals that are good. I know the Peace Corps has lots of info, but I've heard of many situations where someone said "wait, seriously? but this is right there" and they have to go "oh, oh yeah, good point."

So I don't want to do it in a "take that" kind of way. I just want to do it in a way to help be best placed and possibly find more places I could be placed.  I'm not sure if I'll do it yet, and if I do, it may be a long list, or I may just choose to list one or two places. I'll probably write another epilepsy personal statement for my nurse too.  I just want as many possibilities as I can get with my very limiting restriction :)

Time

I think if I don't get an e-mail indicating Medical Clearance tomorrow, I'll send Lisa, my screening assistant an e-mail. I guess I'll quickly/politely ask about my status with everything and if I need to supply them with any more information. I'll state I'm anxious about it because it is possibly I'll have a restriction and if my nomination doesn't support that restriction, I want to have as many country departure dates as open as possible to work with. I think that pretty much sums it up briefly and nicely! I'm just anxious! If I didn't have a restriction, I'd still be anxious. How nice would it be for me to be cleared and they tell me I DON'T have an epileptic restriction!?!? Dream on, Jenna, dream on.

Okay, Seriously.

I know that most people have to wait months on end for Medical Clearance, but the fact remains that my departure month is set for August.  That said, I won't be waiting too long for medical clearance. They've been "reviewing" (according to the ToolKit) my medical for over 2 weeks now. I really really did think it would be cleared this week. I am going to have a medical restriction that dramatically reduces the amount of countries I can go to, not to mention that gets cut down even further when you take into account that I can only work in certain work areas.

I truly hope to have as many options open as I can in case my nomination must be moved around, as is very likely. A lot of July is already not an option due to the 6-week rule, and of course not all those are epileptic countries! There is August, and of course September, but after that they send very very few people out until Jan/Feb...and I must leave before December. I want to get cleared ASAP. 

That said, for my actual nomination and looking at a couple of the dates, I must get invited by about July 6th. That's exactly a month from now. So really!? Where is my medical clearance!?!? I need it badly! I need options open!!!! I NEED TO GET IT AND FIND OUT WHERE I AM GOING! Please medical office please god clear me!!!!

Does anyone think I should send Lisa Backstrom, my medical screening assistant, an e-mail like hey hey, where is that clearance? If so what should I say!?