How can I get my former employer to waiver my non-compete?

I was layed off in April 2008 by my former employer. In June 2010 I asked them to waiver my non-compete which I would then resign and take employment elsewhere. They declined, claiming that I have trade secrets, which technically I did not have access to their system since August 2009. I had an opportunity for employment elsewhere which is very difficult to find in my field. The company that wanted to hire me would not unless I had the non-compete waivered. They are not in direct competition, my former employer deals with pharmacueticals in litigation, the company that wanted to hire me deals with nursing homes in litigation. My former employers are keeping me from making of living until June 2011. I had already hired a lawyer to try to get the waiver with no success without taking them to court. I don't have to funds to take this to court. I cannot find a job in this area doing the kind of work that I previously did. How can I get this waivered so that the other company can hire me now.