A Thankful Patient

March 9, 2012

Dr. Robert Rothbard
7211-A Haven Avenue
Rancho Cucamonga, CA 91701

Subject: Letter of Appreciation

Some time ago I was faced with a serious dilemma related to my prospective employment with the City of Los Angeles. I was turned down for a position with the City having failed the extensive pre-employment medical exam that was required for the job title of plant equipment operator. According to the City's medical department I failed to pass the vision portion of the medical exam due to the amblyopia condition I have had in my left eye since early childhood. The City's position was that this condition was affecting my depth perception and that such an impairment could present a safety hazard for myself and others in performing the duties required of the job.

Having been a patient of yours I contacted you regarding my concern over the City's decision and expressing that I did not believe my condition was a sufficient impairment to prevent me from performing the duties required for that position. I was seeking your opinion on whether or not my amblyopia condition would actually affect my ability to perform the job that I had applied for and if so whether there might be an optometric solution to this problem.

Subsequently you asked me to provide you with a copy of the job description for the position as depicted in the City's job announcement. From that and with some additional vision testing performed by you it was your conclusion that my vision, and most notably my depth perception, was not sufficiently impaired to prevent me from performing normally in the working environment to which I would be exposed. You also offered to provide any documentation that might be needed by the City to convey your conclusions on this matter. Subsequently you addressed a letter on my behalf to the City which outlined your analysis and subsequent conclusion as to my ability to perform normally for the position I had applied. From a medical standpoint the information provided in that letter was quite convincing. From that I made a formal appeal to the City to have my medical hold released and was successful in the City's medical department reversing their decision as to my medical profile. Shortly thereafter I was successfully hired by the City for the position I had originally applied.

I wish to thank you for your efforts on my behalf and for the persuasiveness of the arguments you set forth in the letter forwarded to the City. Most assuredly I would not have been successful in being hired by the City without those efforts.

Sincerely,
T.