Firefighter Martin's fight for change
Donation protected
Donations are needed to help with the on-going legal fees for Scott's battle against the injustice decided against him by those who have been placed as leaders, but have failed. It has unfortunately come to legal action after over two month's of suspension which resulted in no chance for retribution and his recent wrongful termination as a city of buffalo firefighter for testing positive for marijuana which is legally prescribed to him.
Scott has been a dedicated public servant for the Buffalo fire department for 11.5 years. Scott set his goals high right after high school where he enlisted in the United States Air Force and began his journey to learn the tools of the trade to become a professional firefighter. He was honorably discharged after 4 years of enlistment, serving tours overseas in Iraq and then Afghanistan, and began working towards requirements for his dream job. For his determination he was rewarded by being selected for employment at the Buffalo Fire department. Scott quickly gained respect from his colleagues and proved himself by his strong work ethic and loyalty to the job. He always considered himself lucky that he succeeded in doing something that many others have not. He loved his job.
Like so many others in public services, Scott began feeling the physical and emotional affects of his demanding job. Due to a back injury and constant physical demand, Scott was prescribed opiate pain medication. Besides the negative health affects of opiates, Scott received painful injections into his spine and pursued other treatment options for his chronic condition. Like so many other first responders he was also supressing his emotional and physical conditions with alcohol. This culturally acceptable, endless cycle of putting a bandaid over these problems were finally broken when Scott did what he has a hard time doing. He asked for help. He finally found the best option for all his ailments in one prescribed medication. Scott was prescribed medical marijuana by a licensed physician in the state of NY, and found a treatment for his physical and emotional pain without the need of addictive opiates, painful injections, or numbing alcohol.
In 2014, New York State enacted the compassionate care act to provide a comprehensive, safe, and effective medical marijuana program to meet the needs of New Yorkers. Specifically stated were Veterans and Firefighters who would benefit greatly from this prescribed, controlled medication. For too long the Stigma and misunderstanding of Medical Marijuana have resulted in outdated policies and hypocritical rules based on myths and judgments by people who are not healthcare providers.
Scott has dedicated his adult life to helping others and now he is in need of our help. He is not only fighting for himself, but he is paving the way for current and future public workers who reach out for help and make sure the same abhorrent treatment that was imposed on him does not happen to anyone else.
Scott has been a dedicated public servant for the Buffalo fire department for 11.5 years. Scott set his goals high right after high school where he enlisted in the United States Air Force and began his journey to learn the tools of the trade to become a professional firefighter. He was honorably discharged after 4 years of enlistment, serving tours overseas in Iraq and then Afghanistan, and began working towards requirements for his dream job. For his determination he was rewarded by being selected for employment at the Buffalo Fire department. Scott quickly gained respect from his colleagues and proved himself by his strong work ethic and loyalty to the job. He always considered himself lucky that he succeeded in doing something that many others have not. He loved his job.
Like so many others in public services, Scott began feeling the physical and emotional affects of his demanding job. Due to a back injury and constant physical demand, Scott was prescribed opiate pain medication. Besides the negative health affects of opiates, Scott received painful injections into his spine and pursued other treatment options for his chronic condition. Like so many other first responders he was also supressing his emotional and physical conditions with alcohol. This culturally acceptable, endless cycle of putting a bandaid over these problems were finally broken when Scott did what he has a hard time doing. He asked for help. He finally found the best option for all his ailments in one prescribed medication. Scott was prescribed medical marijuana by a licensed physician in the state of NY, and found a treatment for his physical and emotional pain without the need of addictive opiates, painful injections, or numbing alcohol.
In 2014, New York State enacted the compassionate care act to provide a comprehensive, safe, and effective medical marijuana program to meet the needs of New Yorkers. Specifically stated were Veterans and Firefighters who would benefit greatly from this prescribed, controlled medication. For too long the Stigma and misunderstanding of Medical Marijuana have resulted in outdated policies and hypocritical rules based on myths and judgments by people who are not healthcare providers.
Scott has dedicated his adult life to helping others and now he is in need of our help. He is not only fighting for himself, but he is paving the way for current and future public workers who reach out for help and make sure the same abhorrent treatment that was imposed on him does not happen to anyone else.
Fundraising team (2)
Jessica Brozic
Organizer
Orchard Park, NY
Meg Keane
Team member