More Updates....

So I had my appeal hearing yesterday for my unemployment. The judge seemed really nice. I was a little irritated because the adjudicator didn't provide the letters from the specialists that came in after she prematurely denied me, but the judge said he thought it was ok- he figured we could cover it with testimony. He asked "Ms Best" if she had a copy of the letter I wrote with my appeal application. When she said she did not, he said "Well, I think this letter is important, as it provides some background to her case, so Ms W, if it's ok with you, I'd like to just read it into the record." Sure! I said. When he was done, he said, "Now Ms Best, after hearing this and the clearly stated issues her son has, do you still feel you were right in denying her?" Ms Best sputtered a bit, the said, "I'm not trying to be heartless, I understand her situation, but based on my requirements.... I think that yes, I was and would be still required to deny her."
Then the hearing began. It was so weird to know that I'd have the right to cross examine her.... which I didn't... She said that she denied me because there were certain times that I couldn't work because of my son's "extra curricular" activities.
When it was my turn, I clarified. I had explained to Ms Best that with my son's "conditions" he would not be able to handle me working a fulltime evening shift position. During the school year, he would never see me. Emotionally and mentally- this would only hurt his progress. I had told her that I could work nights, and days, and some evenings... but not all. She asked me, "When can't you work, specifically." So I picked the days that he has scheduled activities as days I couldn't work.
Then the judge asked me more questions.. Periodically, through my testimony, he'd stop and say, "Ms Best, hearing this... does this change your opinion on this matter?"
At one point he asked Ms Best about the "hours normal to my position", and she stated that it's a 24/7 job. Again he asked, "Ms Best, knowing that her son has medical conditions, and that it's a 24/7 job, does this not change your opinion?"
She always maintained that "No, it didn't", That she believed she decided appropriately based on her guidelines. Which I get.. but the judge isn't bound by those guidelines exactly. So I am hopeful. I interpreted that he thought she should change her mind. I think she felt he thought that too!
He said he'd make his decision in a few days... and we both have the right to appeal his decision... so who knows from here... but I am hopeful. I might be able to afford his birthday and school clothes, after all.

On another note... Burp received his scholarship for swim... so YAY there. He'll be starting PreTeam in September. I'm a bit excited for it. I may have gotten him a second scholarship through Direction Service* that will pay the entirety of his next two sessions of swim lessons. Unfortunately, they only offer summertime activity funding. But that's still great... I can save the other scholarship for the school year! Who knows, maybe I'm growing a future Olympian! hehehehe

* Remember to sign up to vote for DS in the Pepsi Refresh Everything Progressive Slate contest so they can keep doing the awesome things that they do for families like mine!