[Blindtlk] Professional Opinion Regarding My Actions

[Nicholas]

I am still in the process of trying to acquire reader services at work.  My supervisor appeared to let things be for 4-6 weeks.  I then was contacted by a major player within my industry asking how things were going as far as accommodations.  I was honest and shared my frustration.  He asked me to give him two days to find out some answers.  He kept his word and got the ball rolling on the acquisition of reader services.  I've gotten a stern talk from my supervisor and a talk from my Training Program Manager asking me not to go through anybody, but my current supervisor to accomplish work tasks.  I was accused of being unprofessional and making others look bad.
 
The truth of the matter is that a reader is essential to my level of production.  I searched high and low for six years to find full time work, and thank God for the efforts of the NFB and its present relationship with the VA to provide gainful employment.  Was I out of line in using my network to obtain services of a reader?  Is this unprofessional?  I was told that I should "bite my tongue until it bleeds" before I buck the chain of command, this being from an outside source from a previous job.  
 
In no way was it my intent to make anybody look bad.  In fact, I thought that my actions would show my supervisor that I am willing to use my contacts to get things done.  It seems as though those in there youth tend to agree with me, and those older tend to take the other approach.  I guess, I don't want to hear that my actions were unprofessional, but were they?  Please be honest.  Thanks for your time.  

Nicholas S. Robertson, MBA
Phone: 641.660.2475
Email: robertson.nicholas at hotmail.com
            nicholas.robertson2 at va.gov