One of the hardest things I had to do a couple of years ago was finally realizing that I was just physically unable to continue working as a Paramedic. Transitioning away from a job like this is very difficult for some, because its what our life was about.
In October of 1998, I had a 4000 pound passenger van fall on me during a rescue. Nearly snapped my neck, and ended up on the Trauma floor for about a week, had numbness and tingling, loss of sensation, and lots of pain. Four different doctors told me that I would never be able to work let alone function normally again, and that I should go on Disability. I was 29. I had so much I still wanted to do and so many more people I wanted to help.
I found a pain management specialist and a Physical Therapist who would take on my case. I went through almost a year of the worst pain I have ever felt, even pain I endured in the Military. It took me almost 6 months to just get my confidence back enough to try to lift and lower a cot at therapy. After about a year, I fought to have just enough mobility to return to work, but at what price?
I returned to active duty, with constant pain still. About a 6-7 daily. Part of me just couldn’t imagine giving it all up, so I didn’t, and worked another 12 years past that injury. A couple of years ago, was my final day. In the last five years of my career, I had transitioned to Occupational Medicine, which I think allowed me to work as long as I did. One day, I collapsed, and was taken to the hospital. The pain by that point in my life became a 8-9 sometimes a 10 daily. I ended up with a bacterial and viral infection at the same time, Docs said I was pushing to much, as I was working 60-80 hour work weeks constantly. So I decided to hang up my boots, and put an end to something that has been a part of me for so long.
I started to transition by doing what my second love was, writing. So I have owned my own website for over 15 years, but up till last year, never gave it the time it deserved. That has changed, and now A Medic’s World is a full functioning and working site. Just need people to come visit, and make it what it should become, and that is successful. I need people to subscribe to my newsletter, to interact on social media, to comment on posts and reviews that I do. I want a community of people that enjoy who I am, and what I have to share. That is how I transitioned Don’t get me wrong, every time I see a Cleveland EMS squad, or pass an ER. I think, boy I still wish I could do that.
You can visit my website here—> A Medic’s World
I filed for disability last year, now mind you, I am a veteran of the U.S. Army, a Paramedic who has worked the span of 22 years, turned down disability when I was 29, to try and do the right thing, and now that I need it the most, after over a decade of continued pain, after the accident I was denied. I have tried to be the model individual all my life, and try to always do the right thing, but people who abuse the system can get approved, but someone like me who really needs it can’t. I just don’t understand. If you know of a way that you can help make an impact to get this resolved. I would be so ever thankful.
What to take away from this? No matter what hits you in life (in this case a 4000 pound van) never let life dictate your choices, make your own. If you have to transition like I do, do something you always loved, maybe its making birdhouses to sell, or creating art, or writing like I am. Just find something, don’t become void of the world, be an active part of it.
Tom Shewbridge
A Medic’s World
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Bravo! Well written and a very moving story. 20 years ago I graduated from college with two degrees (a Bachelors in one major and an Associates in another). I had jumped into EMS in 1986, moving quickly to become an EMT. I then had a decision to make (and I was 30 at the time) about my next career choice: Go back to college, or move to the next step and attend Paramedic class. I was lucky to have some good friends in EMS who encouraged me to go back to college while I could. Their advice was that I could still attend Paramedic school if I wanted, but that a Bachelors degree would last me better. Back in those days we worked a 24 and had 48 off, so I could take classes with minimum effort, and on my scheduled shift it was before the days of “system status management” and “posting”, so I would sit on station and study between calls. While I never had a devastating injury like yours, I did have a decent lumbar disk bulge after carrying an ETOH poster child from a basement. I was never the same after that, and I figured out that as much as I love EMS, the physical demands are not easy as you get older. I’m fortunate that the Governor (three different ones) have placed me on the EMS Commission, which oversees EMS operations at all levels in the state. So I still get to be involved in EMS. The bottom line is that I agree with you 100% of “never let life dictate your choices, make your own”. I will have been in healthcare for almost 30 years soon, and I never look back with regret. My days on the ambulance with partners I trusted, respected, and loved will likely never be equaled in my career or lifetime. Your article brought back some good memories. I’ll be watching the website for future writings. After I sent this I will be exploring your site. Take care
Hi Michael. Thank you very much for your kind words. I am glad you enjoyed the article and I hope to continue to have more like these as I go along. Sometimes I feel out of place talking about stuff, but have found a new mission with the website, with hopes to attract more visitors and fans. Have a great day. Thank you very much. ~Tom
Congratulations on the changes you have made. I too worked past the time for disability and reached my Federal Employee retirement age. Surgery and physical therapy have helped and I am doing much better now. I still do not know how I kept active in nursing until retirement. I understand almost Everyone gets turned down the first time they apply for disability. You probably need an attorney to help you. I think that is a fix that has been in for some time … not fair, but that is how the system works. Good luck.
Thank you so much Debra for your comment, I am glad you were able to work as well as you could as well. I will probably try to get a lawyer, just never thought I should need to. ~Tom
I think they always initially deny disability, thinking that only people who truly need it will keep at it. This is what one of my aunts did for a living, she took on cases where people had been denied disability. Look for someone like her where you are (she’s retired now). She was able to get disability for lots of people who were initially denied. Hang in there!!
Thank you Denise. I will. I am going to try again with a little help this time. ~Tom