So after working at Siemens-Healthineers for 11 years I was on a business trip to Phoenix from Albuquerque and on the day before I was to come home my back gave out in the hotel room.
This was on a Sunday, so it did not qualify as a workers compensation. But I am getting ahead of myself.
Let me go back to my time in the Marines. I was injured and released from active duty just after the First Gulf War. I am currently 70% disabled, which brings home a modest income of around $1400 a month. One of the injuries that got me discharged was in my neck. So back to the current situation.
Starting around January my neck began to really bother me. A buring, tingling, numbing pain about 2 inches long. Now I am a retired Marine, so I don't complain to much, so I keep working and let my VA doctor know about the new developement. They are already giving me Hydracodine for Chronic Pain for the last 20 years.
Now fast forward to that fateful Sunday....
I throw my back out, not a big deal as it has happened before and I have been in pain with it for 20+ years. I manage to get back to Albuquerque and get home. I call in sick for the first two days, hoping that heat, ice and rest will calm it down.
No such luck, it gets worse. I am out for 5 days and my boss say I have to file for Short Term Disablitiy. No biggie I think. This is insurance I have been paying for in case of something like this. I call HR, they contact the insurance and the ball is rolling.
After a couple weeks, the short term people say, hey, we want your medical records. I think, ok, why not. They are paying my disability.
I go the the VA, get the records and send the off like a good boy.
BAM!
The insurance contacts me. Hey, This is a prior service injury. You hurt your neck in the Marines. WE DON'T COVER THAT> NO MORE MONEY.
Now I am out of work. Can't stand straight. Can't use my left arm.
AND to top it all off, I am living with my Father and my wife and child is in Phoenix as we sold our house in preperation to transfer to Phoenix with my company.
I tell my wife, it will be OK. We have some savings, we will be OK. But NO, I have been waiting for months to have my neck looked at and fixed by the VA. Meanwhile, I am living with my wife and teenager at my Brother in Laws. Sleeping on a easy chair, wife and kid in bunk beds and now it is September. Savings - GONE.
Oh, didn't I tell you. My company sent me a love note, you need to pay your insurance premium as you are not getting paid. $700 a month, so HALF of my disability goes to that. Now, car payment, insurance, food, clothes...
You get where I am going. Also, I have debt. Mostly heath care bills for my wife and older son. Collectors calling night and day.
Now to top it all off, the VA in New Mexico was doing what it does best, Medicating it's Vets. I was on opiates for SEVEN years. 30MG a day, day in, day out. I get to Arizona. BOOM, we only give opiates to dying cancer patients. No more for you. Here have some new drugs to combat your level 6-9 pain.
I am now on to many to count, including some serious psyk drugs for my nerve pain and PTSD from the Gulf War. I can no longer drive. I have memory loss, I am having starring siezures that they have yet to diagnose. In short, I can no longer work.
All this and during the worst time in our history with this stupid COVID.
My wife cannot work as she spends 30 to 40 hours a week scheduling me for the endless appointments and driving me to the VA and other medical providers. Last week I have 14 appointments! 14! She is at her wits end and she is ready to buckle.
My son is confussed and worried about is Dad and his Mom. He helps where he can, cooking and cleaning and helping around the house. Going to school and STILL he gets As and Bs. I could not be prouder of him. He now is asking if he can get a job. I almost cried.
We are in dire straights now. I have working since the age of 15, joined the Marines at 17. Provided for my wife and two boys for 20 years and now I am a useless burden and my family is in danger of living on the street as we have worn out our welcome at my Brother in Law's.
Now I am a proud Man. I have never taken welfare or begged for money, but at 59 and unable to work or provide for my family I am BEGGING NOW.
I need your help.
$1, $5, $20 what every you can help our with. I will use it to provide for my family and pay my bills. I do not use illegal drugs or smoke or drink. We are good people who have just it a crap load of bad luck. I feel like Job, a good man beaten down.
Please help, I will pay if forward when I am out of this mess.
Thanks for reading. God Bless.
