Throwing in the towel batboy moral support!

[Maz]

Hi all,

Apologies I really haven't been on here much. Basically been busy with hospital appointments. Well as the title says am throwing in the towel. I have no choice now, I've been holding off for such a long time that now I finally can't. I have been told I am not allowed to wear my uniform, I've been told am not allowed to train and I've been told am not allowed To do duty! I was told that if I am to wear my uniform I'll basically be in trouble. it's a kick in the teeth to be honest, I think they could have told me on a nicer way. I am a member of St John Ambulance s an ETA Which I believe is near to the USA's EMT CLASS B. also I am a CFR with the NHS but was soon to be a ECA also a trainer. I've been told that I have a progressive decease in my knee (CRPS) with a few other probs. I could end up wheelchair bound. I am gutted that I love the jobs I do I am now having to stop. I can still do things but I cannot believe they are throwing me out like this! I've got no support! I can honestly say I am one of the best been in for years and I've now been trown aside and told to basically leave. This is the only thing I know how to be is save lives and train people.

I am gutted I just don't know what to do. So, apparently it's called medically retiring. Does anyone have any ideas to what else I can do? I have a full time job doing admin but I do my Medical stuff every night and weekends I was on the road to an ECA they told me I could end up a Paramedic with in a few years. Looks like I'll end up in a wheelchair but what can I do?

Sorry am feeling sorry for my self just I can't believe it.

[HERBIE1]

Teach. I'm not sure if it's possible in your area, but work in an ER as a tech.

[Just Plain Ruff]

Any chance to get into dispatching? Or QI/QA?

ONe question - who told you that you would end up in a wheelchair? ST Johns or your doctor.

On a more discerning note, Since when did you equate that all you know how to do is save lives. If you don't have a fall back plan then maybe you should get one.

In EMS we are one injury, one needlestick, one bad lift away from full disability. Why everyone doesn't have a fall back plan just for the above situations is beyond me.

You make it sound like you can't do anything other than save lives. That's in my opinion bunk.

Unless you are one of those one trick ponies that can't do anything else then there is that but I'll bet if you look deep you will find something you can do apart from EMS.

I hate people who say "I'm so sad, I only know how to be an EMT. I don't know anything else".

I'm sorry to be blunt and rain on your pity party but there are things outside of EMS, you just have to look.

Quit selling yourself short.

If you truly cannot do anything other than EMS well that's a whole new discussion.

Edited December 7, 2010 by Ruffems

[Maz]

I have a job but this is my volunteer side it might not sound all good to others but to me its a way of life. I want to volunteer in something else but have tried and no one wants someone who will end up disabled. (My Surgeon told me ill end in a wheelchair).

Ruffems am sorry but when you have just been told your going to be disabled or as my surgeon put it crippled I think that anyone would be down about it. Its not something anyone likes to hear. I can whole heartedly say I have saved lives and also helped my community. I love seeing the faces of children/adult who I have tought. I love being on call, I love that when I go to a shout that I dont actually know what I am going too....where else do I get this??

I have to say I dont want pitty but at least you have gaven me a kick up my arse! ;-)

Am not a down hearted person but like I say am still in shock, its a hard think to take. I am going to have to take the bullet and say am not going to be like I am...

Also put it this way, am angry! I though I would have been looked after by a health organisation obviously I am wrong! They are meant to look after there own arnt they or it this all a fake?

Edited December 7, 2010 by Maz

[EMT155]

Maz,

What about knee replacement? As someone who has all sorts of knee issues due to traumatic injury almost 25 years ago, I have a little bit of idea about issues with knees. My Orthopedic surgeon is already planning the replacement surgery for me and I'm not due for it until I'm 40 (which is another year and a half ish), but other than occasionally taking some Alleve and giving up my skiing about 13 years ago, I haven't slowed down at all.

It's true that you should look at other opportunities as well, I personally am taking the civil service exam in March to be a county Dispatcher. My first love is EMS, but gods forbid something took me out, I'll know I have something to back me up. I'm also working on setting up a class for health care providers of all venues on Transgender awareness and how treating a trans individual can differ from someone who was born to their gender identity. Sometimes it just takes looking around at what you do or who you know to figure out how to keep your fingers in the pie if the poo hits the multi bladed oscillating air movement device.

The first thing though.... Keep yer chin up kid!! Attitude is everything, and in my case, probably too much But with a positive attitude, you can do almost anything you put your mind to.

Best wishes!!

Jim

[Maz]

Thanks Jim,

My Surgeon said if he preforms an op I will either end up better or end up disabled quicker. He said he will try and settle my knee down before he even considers surgery. I have a rare condition CRPS....So far its not going according to plan but what does go to plan right? Also a few other associated problems.

What I will say is that nothing can prepare you for it but at least I have had 4 years in (SJA for 4 years, NHS for 2 Years). Am only 21, started when I was 18 and when I turned 21 I was allowed to advance in my skill level. I am the youngest in my division (squad)...I am young enough to start learning new things but also its too yound to be disabled. I am 22 in 5 months time

There is no way I can take up singing haha...I can make people deaf so, I suppose if you wish to be deaf then head my way

I will miss it but I have so many good memories. One that I will share it when we were called to a shout, we walked into the room...I will always remember it as it smelt strongly of Canabis. What I will say is it was that bad I ended up high and my partner so we were placed on O2 haha...Wow its somthing....

I have had such an amazing time, met some strange people which all I happened to work with

From the hard times to the best times at least I have memories.

I will be handing my kit in on the 11th January 2011....New Year New Start right?

I am handing my kit in this day as I am seeing my surgeon on the 11th and as my partner works nights this is the only day off so, at least I will have support when handing it in.

Thank you al xxx

[scubanurse]

CRPS or Complex Regional Pain Syndrome is something you can recover from. I've had it twice following shoulder surgeries... unless it's something else. I was told it's the nerves freaking out and over firing. I remember even a sheet on my arm would cause me to scream out. My cousin who also has EDS got it following ankle surgery a few years ago. For both of us they did regional nerve blocks a few times and put us on anti-seizure medication to calm the nerves down.

I have been where you are, and I can tell you, you'll only have the options you give yourself. I am 23 and have had 7 surgeries since I was 17. I have been told not to do certain things, sometimes I have listened others, I didn't stop living my life. Yes I am "crippled", yes there are things I can't do, but there are things I can.

Don't give up, keep your chin up, and you'll find another way to help your community.

[Maz]

Hi Kate, I know am on medication to help me sleep! Like to say my bed sheets hurt. Being the cold wheather it hurts more. I have other probs too, I am hypermobile and have a bone deformity in my knee and also got grade one Chondromalacia and if that isn't enough I have muscle atrophy and synovitis in my knee.

I have had injections in my knee and been on Naproxen 500mg all which have failed! All I can do is my physio which as u understand is so hard!

Am glad I've found someone who understands CRPS it's something that is so hard to describe x

Oh and some good news. I have just put my name down for an interview on a new volunteer service. I'll have an interview to see what I like and dont like and thy see what I can and cannot do so they match me up to a perfect job.

It amazing who you know.

Kate also I sometimes am naughty and tend to do more than I should! Like you say its having a life xx

[scubanurse]

Maybe have them check you out for Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome... I am a type three, hypermobile and have had all sorts of knee and joint issues.

Best of luck to you.

[Richard B the EMT]

Just suggesting becoming an EMS consultant. While some reject it, as consultants usually end up as professional witnesses against other EMTs or Paramedics in court, it might be a viable job.

After 38 years, between the Volunteer, proprietary, and 25 years alone in Municipal EMS sectors (overlapping), I am on partial disability medical retirement. Bad back, knees, and elbow, wear and tear. I understand the age difference between us, as I also started at age 19 (1973) but also understand that EMS is not the be all-end all.