Stop Disabled Veteran Discrimination

We are looking to raise money to help us fight the City of Quincy in a Civil Service Hearing. Marco is a disabled veteran who has done two tours in Iraq (OIF) and one tour in Afghanistan (OEF). He has been waiting to become a Police Officer for 6 years. He was given a card to apply by two departments at the same time, the MBTA and the City of Quincy. We live in Quincy, Alana goes to school in Quincy and so although a hard decision, he chose Quincy. He had a medical exam and passed with flying colors. He had a PAT test (physical abilities test) and also passed with flying colors. He had a psychological test in December.  Protocol says they should be able to take the written test without interruption. Someone came over and spoke to him many times while he took it. Protocol is you get the results and a sit down with the psychologist within two weeks. However, Marco did not even hear the results until the day before the swearing in ceremony and orientation after he kept calling and calling and I wrote to the Mayor, this was the end of February. He did not receive the report until April when his lawyer made the request.

Did I mention the blatant nepotism involved in the city hiring of police officers? The City Council president's daughter, Police Chief's son who is also the Mayor's nephew, a Captain's son, etc. all hired, all of them way down the Civil Service list and none of them even Veterans. 
Next, they finally had him sit down with a different psychologist (never the same one as he is entitled to) and he said you did fine, it was a misunderstanding, you are all set. Well now they say the second one agreed with the first one. The report from the first one was the most speculative, laced with bias against Combat Veterans report I have ever seen. It speculated the entire time about what Marco's disability could be. It could be alcoholic or drug addict they said, he could have a TBI, PTSD, trouble sleeping, etc. Every military stereotype there is. They want access to his VA medical reports, which they are not entitled to. They want him to disclose his disability, which according to the ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act) he does not have to do unless he is requesting accomodations which he does not want or need.

Today was the prehearing and they did their best to make him quit fighting. They talked about the thousands of dollars it would cost him in legal fees and an independent psych test, they talked about how he would still not get the job if he wins, he would simply be put to the top for next time the city wanted to hire. However, they want him to be the little man and feel he cannot win, they want him to quit. Well, why should he? He has rights and he is being discrimiated against. Three Veterans are suing the city, according to The Patriot Ledger. Why should the little guy just lay down and not defend their rights because they have less money? We want him to fight this. We want the City to own up to the discrimination. They put on a whole facade of supporting Veterans. We need help. Marco was laid off from the union because he told them he was starting the Academy. We are waiting for him to be taken back on. In the meantime, he doesn't have the extra money laying around to pay the thousands to keep his lawyer and take an independent psych test.

If there is any extra money raised, we will donate it to the Wounded Warrior project or other projects for disabled Veterans. I hate asking for help, but we simply do not have it right now. Alana and I are going to Disney on a nonrefundable trip this month that we booked before this all happened. Marco is still waiting to go back to work. So we have no extra money right now. The hearing date is May 21st so we simply do not have the time to save it up. Please do not feel obligated and don't feel any donation is too small. We appreciate any help we can get. We feel strongly that we have to fight this as these men and women that serve and put their life on the line for us do not deserve to be discrimated against. The stereotypes and discrimation against Veterans is not right. Marco has never been violent, he has never had even a speeding ticket, he is a great Soldier with a wonderful Military record who is liked by all those he serves with. He is a great dad, son, brother, and husband. He cares about his community and wants to make a difference. In MA, veteran service is reccomended to become a Police Officer. He has served and continues to serve. Why should he be blatantly discriminated against because of that service? Again, please do not feel obligated, I hate to ask for help. However, I won't let Marco have to give up because they have more money than him.