MEBO PATM : Employment accommodations and Vocational Rehabilitation for body odor sufferers

After brainstorming amongst some of MEBO Research's volunteers on the career needs of sufferers, a few brilliant ideas have come forth. I would like for MEBO to initiate some of these ideas sooner than later. The great thing about the position we are currently at is that MEBO’s Public Relations Director has already made contact with staff members of 2 Senators and 4 Representatives on Capitol Hill, and MEBO’s Community Outreach Director has also establish a good rapport with staffers in Michelle Obama’s Office in the White House. Consequently, we are in a very good position to write to the “right people” to promote our agenda. We thank you Glenna and Cheryl. Below are a few of the projects we have been brainstorming about:

To establish relations with government and private employment agencies and to set up a program geared toward addressing the needs of sufferers, such as working from home, especially during flare-ups, as in the case of women during their menstrual cycle.
To establish rapport with key contacts in the Vocational Rehabilitation Program to establish educational/training projects to help sufferers prepare for, gain or retain employment.
After establishing these contacts and commencing new program options for sufferers, MEBO could consider opening an employment placement department, in which MEBO will work with government and private agencies/companies interested in hiring sufferers diagnosed with TMAU, bromhidrosis, or any other odor condition.

Vocational Rehabilitation (VR) is a federal-state program that works with people who have physical or mental disabilities to prepare for, gain or retain employment. VR is committed to helping people with disabilities find meaningful careers.

In addition to the general customer employment program, VR has additional specific programs designed to help eligible people with disabilities become employed.
New Innovation and Expansion Projects (PDF)

In order to carry out this program successfully, MEBO is asking for volunteers who would be willing to submit a brief testimonial of their respective job-related experiences and challenges, and what possible solutions the sufferer believes would have resolved his or her particular problem. If the sufferer believes that the solution would have been a career change, what type of career and training/education would be required for such a change.

In an effort for this project to have a significant impact when we approach politicians and representatives of these agencies, MEBO’s Raising Awareness

would need to get at least 10,000 signatures for it to be presented and recognized at a state level. Although we have received 183 in one and a half months, we need to promote it much more, and to ask family and friends to support us with their signature. We’ve gotten off to a great start, but need to push it much further.

I wish to thank all the volunteers who have been so very much dedicated to this cause. More information on this effort will be forthcoming within the next few months.

María