The end

[Jesse]

Today I found out my life as an auto technician is over, for good. I got into an auto accident a few months back, and suffered a traumatic brain injury. My skull was fractured in multiple places, and one of my vertebrae was as well. Inside my vertebrae a cyst developed that can leave me paralysed if it is not taken care of. It can be taken out via surgery, but it will any kind of neck straining, or contorting my body in weird positions will cause it to come back. The doctors said that I need to find a new occupation.

So… for me this is the end of my young career. I thank all of you for your advice, and support while I waded through the ups and downs as an auto technician. For now I’m about to embark onto a journey into the unknown. No one knows what the future holds, that is why its potential is infinite.

As for this brief chapter in my life, it is THE END.

Topic

[zero]

That sucks. On the upside, at least they can fix you.

[Mike]

Even if it’s the end of your career, it’s not the end of being around cars. You seem like you have a knack for it, and you can be glad you’ll always be a better vehicle owner because of it. Some would tell you it’s a blessing in disguise to be taken out of the profession, but that’s something only you really know. I’d be interested to know what you end up doing, and I hope your neck surgery goes well. You’ll always be welcome in the tech’s forum here, as you’ll always be a retired technician.

[Rick]

I was looking forward to trading stories with you about our different repairs. My wife needs surgery on her neck, same type of stuff you are dealing with. I can understand the severity of what you are dealing with. Please keep us updated on how the procedure goes, and how you are healing up.

As Fopeano said you are always welcome here. You are one of us and nothing will change that.

I’m at a loss for words honestly. This is shitty news.

[Mike]

Don’t think of it as the end. It’s a new beginning. Fresh opportunities, new horizons.

[college man]

[quote=”Evil-i” post=140261]Don’t think of it as the end. It’s a new beginning. Fresh opportunities, new horizons.[/quote]

+1 🙂

[James O’Hara]

Sorry to hear that. But, just think of it as a new adventure. Plus you will have knowledge under your belt so you will not get screwed by a shop and also you can diagnose stuff and just have them replace the part for cheap.

[Bluesnut]

For what it’s worth, I’ve had right knee surgery, right shoulder surgery, 2 surgeries in the lower back and a major neck surgery.
The neck situation was very bad as my spinal cord was crushed at C3. The docs couldn’t understand how I was able to even walk into their office. They told me my options were zero and hospital NOW.

When I asked if it’s possible that I could be out in a week they wouldn’t even talk to me about getting out. They did the surgery on Monday evening, on Thursday I was outwalking the therapist in the hall without assistance, and after some begging they let me go home on Friday morning. Apparently there was an issue with 5 discs in the neck and I never realized just how bad the situation was until after I was released.

I suppose my point here is to help you think positive about the situation. I certainly sympathize with what you’re going through and wish the very best moving forward.
There’s a number of things that I had to give up (golf, bowling, tennis, company softball team, etc) and while I miss those things to some extent it’s also not the end of the world. Stay positive; things will work out. 🙂

[Jesse]

[quote=”Bluesnut” post=140758]For what it’s worth, I’ve had right knee surgery, right shoulder surgery, 2 surgeries in the lower back and a major neck surgery.
The neck situation was very bad as my spinal cord was crushed at C3. The docs couldn’t understand how I was able to even walk into their office. They told me my options were zero and hospital NOW.

When I asked if it’s possible that I could be out in a week they wouldn’t even talk to me about getting out. They did the surgery on Monday evening, on Thursday I was outwalking the therapist in the hall without assistance, and after some begging they let me go home on Friday morning. Apparently there was an issue with 5 discs in the neck and I never realized just how bad the situation was until after I was released.

I suppose my point here is to help you think positive about the situation. I certainly sympathize with what you’re going through and wish the very best moving forward.
There’s a number of things that I had to give up (golf, bowling, tennis, company softball team, etc) and while I miss those things to some extent it’s also not the end of the world. Stay positive; things will work out. :-)[/quote]
Thank you for your story, I’m definitely depressed because I cannot do some of the things that I used to. I’m going to get through it though. Right now I’m looking at studying physics, so I’m already already thinking of the future. I do lament the fact that I cannot do what I always wanted to, but I may still be able to make it a hobby, though in limited settings.

Thanks everyone for your words of encouragement.

[Rick]

If you want to do physics you’ll need a masters degree to find decent work. I would look into electrical engineering. It’s 99% of the same concepts, and you only need your bachelor’s to find a good job. EE are in high demand also. You could work for a manufacturer designing hybrids.

[Lee Ann]

So sorry to hear this news.
All the best. Take care.

[Jason White]

NOOOOOO…. get your head up! So many other things in the field where you can use your experience to do great things. How about service writer? Parts? lots of poitions. It is really nice when you have service writers and even parts guys that have professionally turned a real wrench before. One of my favorite service writers had knee problems, the other had back problems, which took them out of the game but it was nice having someone that actually knew what it was to be in the shop up front with your customer.

One door closes, one door opens. Things happen for a reason.

[Author]

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