Help Cori help his Family
I was a trainer for STA, a school bus company here in Columbia MO.
In August of 2019 my horror story begins, when I injured my back on the job.
about two days later, work sends me to my first workman’s comp doctor, by December I’ve been to two other doctors and workman’s comp cuts me off.
and they say Oops you’re right, we were wrong, we’ll help you again.
Corona Virus strikes the nation, but my recovery must continue.
it was not until January 2021 and TWO MORE doctors that I received an Anterior Lumbar Inter-body Fusion with posterior pedicel screws, the nine inch incision just below my belly button is where I was opened up to perform this ALIF surgery on my L5-S1 I was in the hospital for two and a half days.
I HATE HOSPITALS, they make me nervous, even more so now after all this.
I could have no visitors from the time I was dropped off at the hospital until the time I was picked back up, I was alone, scared, and I couldn’t get out of my bed. I was told I had to walk around before I could leave. I have never been more motivated to do anything, I felt I needed to get away from this place. After several attempts I finally am able to stand, I knew at this moment I was leaving. Internally I was screaming at my body to listen to my brain, left foot, right foot, pause repeat. I’m doing it! I began to cry tears of joy. I walk this course, down one hallway, into a room with a wheelchair ramp and back to my room. BOOM I passed I can go home! Wrong, now I was told I have to fart before I can go home. Frustrated, I then ask what I’ll have to do after that, finally this is my last test to pass. I love a good fart joke just like the next guy, but I couldn’t do it, to try and fart hurt me so bad it felt like everywhere. I wait, and I wait, finally I am on my way home to my woman, kids and dog.
physical therapy after physical therapy 6-8 hours a week. I was getting better, I could walk, but then I reached a point I wasn’t getting better, I hit a plateau.
my doctor releases me MMI, Maximum medical improvement, with restrictions of
no excessive bending stooping or twisting
no prolonged standing
no prolonged sitting
no excessive pulling pushing lifting
i could sit for no more than 20 minutes
I could stand for no more than ten minutes
my life was resorted to my bed, or almost fully reclined or laying on the couch.
my hobby’s, gone. Activities with my kids went from hikes kites and bikes to video games. All of life’s interests were out of my grasp.
workers comp tells the doctor to bring me back in because they don’t like his medical opinion.
I perform a Functional capacity exam (FCE) this comes back inconclusive and the doctor changes my work release to
may not lift more than 20 lbs
thats it! Nothing about my physical condition or capabilities.
I have my personal physician write up a work excuse per my condition.
I bring these into work to have them on record. I was then
Early June 2021 I received my last paycheck.
I’ve since seen a psychiatrist spine specialist.
the spine doctor believes I need another surgery. I’m not prepared for this. I have no income, and I’m not able to do much of anything to bring money in.
having thoughts of suicide is the most scary thing to deal with, to have the feeling the only way to end all this pain and suffering is to truly end everything, knowing there is a better way and path to take does not stop the thoughts.
I’ve always been a provider, if my kids wanted to do something, we did it. I was adventurous, a social butterfly, I loved seeing people and I loved to be seen. I’ve gained more than 45 lbs since my injury not only do I not want to be seen it’s too difficult to get out to be seen. I haven’t been able to provide my children with a good Christmas, good birthdays in what feels like forever. I’ve forgotten what it feels like to walk normally, to laugh and play outside in the leaves, the rain, the snow, or even the sunshine. I’m 31 years old and I feel like I’m 73.
I need your help please. And thank you in advanced. God Bless you and yours