Back Injury

[jeepstang]

It isnt that I understand there are vocational retraining places available but that I have always been a hands on guy, my hobbies are cars woodworking and such and driving has been my deal for over 15 years now , ive been a recovery and heavy hauler, worked in a mine, i have fed buffalo, i was a mechanic, did body work and paint, and it seems like if I get an MMI with light duty, that everything I have ever done is gone, im not even sure who I am, let alone working at a desk or a security guard. I am not knocking those jobs I would appreciate working but not sure if i can live without everything I have ever done again. Take everything away and what do you have is what I am saying is it just tough cookies roll with it or what I am just lost .

[1171]

you may have limited yourself too much.
changing careers can be traumatizing, but many have gone thru it with positive results.
these are the type of concerns you can discuss with a rehabilitation counselor and, if necessary, the therapist you are using for depression.
these concerns appear to be similar to those that athletes go thru at the end of their careers. there may be a local support group available thru your medical community that could help with the transition. or contact a sports psychologist if one is available in your area.

[jeepstang]

thanks for the input, ill have to see whats what I guess.An athlete can still coach and train and do what not, this is everything in a giant chunk, if i cant lift more than 15 pds what is left ? Its a mess is all.

[1171]

men seem to have a stronger identity crisis when their work and job is suddenly pulled out from under them.
even more so when it involves the more physical and "manly" occupations.
You are and/or can be more then that. do talk to a counselor.

often times the medical restrictions are about frequency rather then specific weights or activities.
maybe you can lift 15lbs but just not continuously or more then a couple times an hour. discuss it in more detail with your doctor.

[jayc123]

your not alone bro. everything i do (work and hobbies) is buiding and sports and for 7 months thats what i cant shake as well. those jobs arent bad but not for me either.in florida vocational rehab is everything i already know. im going to try and focus on them getting me into engineering or some type of business courses . this is not the way we wanted it to go, but if we try to make the best of it maybe it will help(im not a desk jockey either). i made just under 6 figures before this and was starting my own business on the side so this couldnt have happened at a worse time. to think of being a security guard or a check out clerk crushes me. think real hard of what you have always wanted to do and stick to your guns and do what you know is best for you and your family and show these people you wont stay down. hope you do well. and yes your not alone even though it really feels like it. try to be positive.its not easy.sorry to rant. be strong. were all in the same boat

[jeepstang]

thanks man, yeah same boat sound like to a T. Next week I go to another appt. to see if there is any other options, right now selling my truck to help pay some bills, hope you do well also.

[jayne]

WC is certainly not for quitters....you can let it define you or you can rise above it...and it goes from day to day hour to hour....it is why Admin created "off topics" for us to support each other thru the process of WC come on over and rant,cry,tell a joke and get to know "the family"it is how some of us got thru it and we will help you thru it.

[jeepstang]

they sent me a 106 form in the mail today I had to call the attorney and now have my dr send them another note saying I cannot work yet again due to the injury at work, the 106 states injury not work related...unreal after all this time the minute i am mmi i am terminated..is this how they try and break you?

[jeepstang]

it looks like the claim the attorney is going to file could take 8 to 12 weeks. So i guess if you get injured and your at work you lose your house in the end...more depressed than ever.

[jayc123]

my god that is f'ed up! i dont know what a 106 is but it does sound like 1 more tactic to screw over people when they are at thier worst. so at mmi they try to backtrack and say it doesnt have to do with them? after all this time can they even do that? its probably thier last effort to get you to settle low. what did your lawyer say about it, has he seen this before, and what can he do about it?