My question involves unemployment benefits for the state of: New York

I was let go from my sales job of 18+ years the end of Sept. My sales figures were the same as the last few years; although with the economy, nothing to brag about. But I was making a living. My husband had a stroke this last February and that's when they started getting on my case, even though I was working harder than ever. My sales manager told me a week or so after the stroke that my life would be over once he got home, and I immediately knew the writing was on the wall. They either had no confidence in me, or were looking to cull the herd. I was an easy target at the time. But I stuck it out another 8 months, since my sales are summer/seasonal, and did as good a job as ever, at least in my mind. When I couldn't get someone to stay with my husband, I would take him with me on the road, and the rest of the time I work from my home office. I thought it was working out fine. However I got told towards the end of the summer that I would never be able to grow my business due to my husband's illness, despite the fact that he is improving every day. I did talk to a lawyer for advice, she said the comments I had been receiving were inappropriate, as I was doing my job fine, and that I should document them. My sales manager also brought up several times how they paid half my medical benefits, just out of the blue. They were making me very uncomfortable and I told them I was thinking of taking a medical leave of absence after Columbus Day, when my business really dies down.

They beat me to the punch and let me go end of Sept. My manager said now I could apply for unemployment, and I did. I have supposedly earned two weeks so far although not in my bank account yet. Now I suddenly get a mandatory appointment to go for a two hour training/counselling/workshop next week. I have been networking for employment with previous customers so far, and pet shops where I used to do demos for dog food on weekends....can't go to similar companies as main job yet due to non-compete. But my biggest plan is to amp up two or three side things I have dabbled in over the past few years: dogsitting, selling things for other people on eBay and Craigslist, and doing 4 hour instore demos on the weekends again. I have always reported what little income I made from these in previous years.

First, do you think I was "profiled" by my former employer? They can't say I am unable to work, but I feel like they may have presented me in a less than favorable light. Because I have never heard anyone having to go one of these. I have two bachelor degrees, one in business, and was a restaurant manager before getting into sales. I know how to find a job, although at 57 years old realize it won't be quite as easy as 20 years ago. And should I expect them to be tracking me more closely than the average person. I actually had a lunch interview with someone I know planned for that day, which I will have to cancel now. I am in the final process of getting Medicaid for my husband so he can have a full time caretaker, but in the meantime he is fine with staying home with the phone on hand, or taking a ride and waiting in the car while I do my business if it's a nice day. Or do I sound like I don't deserve unemployment right now?