Almost had a bike shop

[OakLeaf]

As a former disability claimants' representative ... if he's under 50 and his arthritis hasn't made him physically incapable of working on bikes, it's pretty likely that he's got a mental or emotional condition contributing to his disability. It's pretty difficult for a younger person to qualify. Anything that would make it harder for him to be an employee, would make it harder for him to deal with bureaucracy, too.

Vocational rehabilitation agencies are stretched far past their limits. It's not unusual to see them doing just what this guy's did - throw money at education and start-up costs, but not give a client the real support they need to get back to work. Sheltered workshops are reserved for the clients with the severest disabilities, usually those who will never be able to handle competitive employment. And VR counselors are human, too, and it's natural that they get super frustrated dealing with people who have personality disorders or severe depression - people who, just like your guy, manage to find or create barriers where a healthy person might see opportunities. It's way more rewarding to work with clients with cognitive deficits or strictly physical limitations, so they wind up getting more attention.

Sorry it didn't work out, for both of you, and for your town.