Hi everyone

[Casey]

I just signed up, and thought I'd introduce myself.

Im 48 and I was injured for the third and final time 2 and 1/2 years ago. The first time was in the early 90's with a herniated disk. That episode landed me on light duty at my job. The second time the disk (L5) ruptured and fragments permanantely damaged the nerve that runs down my right leg. Surgery enabled me to go back to work once more. The last time the same disk herniated again, and further damaged the same nerve. That resulted in surgery again. I have restrictions that prevent me from returning to work this time. I had almost 18 years with this company.

I am currently going through voc rehab. That experience has been one of the worst experiences I've been through. That has been going on now for a year and 7 months. I've applied to 307 jobs and most of them are minimum wage. I am on full pay , thank God, and make more than 3 times the amount they are trying to force me into.

I am currently enrolled in school to retrain myself. I petitioned for the company to pay for it, but a gross mistake by my lawyer caused me to lose to that.

Oh, and there are four other employees at my company who have been going through this. Their injuries are worse than mine, with one of them crippled. All of these injuries occured due to understaffing.

Im so greatful to have found all of you. As you all know this is a very isolating experience, and it's going to be nice to be able to share and support with other people going through the same thing.

After having read here for awhile, I am also greatful that I managed to get out of there without the kind of injuries you are suffering from.
Oh, and Im in Virginia. Nice to meet you all!

[Bad Boy Bad Boy]

Welcome to the Board, and we do hope to see plenty of you. Share, help, give us a laugh or make us smile, it's all part of our new lives now.

[tpm]

Hello Casey and Welcome
You tell us you had problems with the same disc over and over. Can you tell me what kind of surgery you had? did they fuse it? Reason I'm asking ... I just had cervical disc fusion on 2 discs and would like to know if I could have the same problems you are unfortunately having.
Best of luck to you and
Be Well

[Guest]

Hi casey, welcome to our forum family!!

[MJC]

Hi Casey,
Welcome to our WC family and we are happy to have you.  This forum has the greatest people I have seen on a forum as I have visited many forums.  Like I said, we are family here.

Sorry you are going through this torture.  The sad thing about WC is even if you go through Voc-Rehab they don't care anything about getting you into a job where your wages could be similar.  All they care about is getting you back to work in some way, shape or form.  It does not matter, if you can find a job making $1 an hour (hypothetical) as long as you can earn something is what they look for.  This is really sad but true.

We hope that you will continue to post with us and enjoy this forum as much as we do.  I hope things do get better for you and please take care!

Cajun Hugssssssss,
MJC....

[Dallas307]

Welcome Casey!

[Spring]

WELCOME Casey...We are happy to have you. Sounds like you have been through the WC a couple of times..so you know what it is somewhat all about...just as you said it can be a isolating feeling..but you just did a very good thing by joining the site. You will find some very knowledgeable people here regarding the wc system. Also some of the most careing and understanding people. SO please just make yourself at home here. Join into any conversation at anytime. And please ask questions as you like...you will find people will reach out to you as thats what we all want to to do. Please also reach out as you feel you can. Again WELCOME!

[jayne]

welcome casey what job did you do

[Casey]

Thanks for the welcome!

I have been through the system a few times. The first time they were no problem. The second time they denied the claim. That was bad. This time they had no weasel room.
Tom, I had a discectomy both times. No fusion here. The friend of mine that was crippled by these monsters had a fusion, and she's had nothing but problems, so Im a bit gun shy. Sorry I cant be more help.
Jayne, Im so paranoid about this whole thing that I wont say who I worked for but, I was a station agent for a major airline. My dream career, down the tubes.
What I find amazing about the forum is how calm everyone seems. I have so much anger. How do you all do it?

[Still in Limbo]

Glad to meet 'ya Casey! L/5,S/1 also, Totally disabled at 45! Welcome to the forum!