(Image from my book, Art & Chronic pain – A Self Portrait)
I’m going to erupt!
I feel I’ve been left without any avenue to vent the poor treatment I’ve experienced as an injured worker. I can’t make it any simpler :
I had a work accident and after declaring I had a p/t work capacity, I’m now left with $0.
That’s $0.
- $0 financial help for any future treatment (currently undergoing thousands worth)
- $0 wage top up
- $0 superannuation
- 0% return to work training or assistance
- 0% guidance, and
- 0° (except for this blog) to reasonably seek the promised help that I personally paid a 100% premium for in Victoria.
Wait, I have more to vent and please stay with me because you’re my only avenue remember?
In the process of seeking a new way of life where I might be able to work (oh yes, it’s all on the line here), my chronic pain uprooted Theo and I, (and Zephyr) in order to live within my capacity’s means. That’s putting myself in a place where I only needed to cross one road to get to work, made sure necessities were nearby as I can’t drive, and live where things are not city mad so that my sensory pain is most at ease.
That means; away from everyone and all the surrounds Theo and I knew.
Begin again…
… and begin paying a Workcover premium as well [enter swearwords here].
Would you do it? You would at least want to complain somewhere right? You’re in my shoes, you’re 46 (almost), you live in the lucky country, Australia and you need to work. You need to be responsible and prepare for your senior years…you have to pay for your treatment and to live.
You have days you can’t do much, you need help with a lot of things every day and from now on, you’re going to miss out on family/friend’s occasions because you need to save that capacity to work.
I paid the premium and all the insurance. It’s in someone else’s pocket. I’ll never get it. I’d have to go through another comedy of errors! I physically couldn’t do that again. To me it was like I was being pushed to the edge by the system. And I actually almost jumped off, giving away what health I had left to keep fighting.
My new beginning was the other choice. We sold our home, the one I told Theo they’d carry me out of in a box because I loved it so much.
We loved it so much. It’s gone. Home – gone… and to top that, I just have to zip it.
I hear the news. Discrimination is not to be tolerated (apparently) in this country, neither is unfair treatment (apparently). We are a forward thinking country (apparently) and we are coming down especially on those that abuse, mistreat and bully…. apparently.
Apparently we have Workers Compensation in this country too so that if you have a workplace accident, you’re insured.
Apparently.
Eruption complete!
Dear Sweet Soula,
My heart aches for you and feels your paina dn FRUSTRATION! I do think we have all been taken by a system made up to help us! Your case proves that we would never pass through all of their hoops!! IF anyone had a legitimate claim, it would be YOU! I have little to no faith in our government today! Insuance is just another ‘legal’ fleecing system. They have all the information they need now in Canberra with their new big computer tracking system! Stall any way possible seems to be the way they operate! I think of you often, but haven’t been able to get over to have an ice cream with you! Much love and understanding! xoxo
Soula, I don’t have any of the right words right now but wanted to you to know that I hear you, and that I will always ‘listen’, hear you, and understand you whenever you need to vent. These systems are infuriating, unhelpful, and downright harmful to so many people with pain I don’t understand how it can be so.
I am thinking of you, dear friend, and sending hugs and positive energy. The one thing the system, nor your pain, can ever take from you, or from us, is you.
You are still here. And I am forever grateful to you for sharing your story, your frustrations, your successes, your art, your passions, your anger, your hope, your love, your energy…yourself…with all of us.
xoxo
You did have the right words… perfect, thank you.
So grateful for YOU xx
Hello sweetheart, my heart is with you, yeah, me too. I have definite proof on scans and neuro that I have bones and disc leaning on both sides affecting to all my fingers so art is very painful, I put off doing what I loved since 3 years of age cause it hurts too much.
I isolate myself and worry continuously they will cut me off and then wont afford the rent. Sent to a wc neuro (apparently) who didnt look at the scans just psych reports cause that was all they would do about my injuries. So still fighting over 12 years from the accident.
I wish you all the best with your work and especially hope the treatment gives you some ease it is a very sad state that this is how workers are treated in this country and others, deplorable! I hope your Theo is well it is hard to watch our loved ones in pain in body and mind. We dont have media help obviously the rich get what they want for now. We desperately need a way to start a royal commission! Much love and I bet Tassie is beautiful xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Horrid. So many injured workers in the same situation. So many that can’t even post here as the system gags them from living an inch.
We didn’t move to Tasmania. We are still in Victoria but way West on the Bellarine Peninsula.
Thank you for commenting, for the empathy and caring message. xxxxx
Darling Soula,
I have just read this and the tears are pouring down my face, I am sobbing for you…
I am so, so overwhelmed with grief for you, Theo, Zephyr; for your hopes and dreams and your “fresh start” leaving home far behind.
This is a cruel, pernicious system, that is supposed to look after the vulnerable, injured, and disabled ~ yet has failed you spectacularly!
I feel your hurt, anger and pain from the opposite side of the World.
I feel so helpless…
And so I sob; huge great shoulder -wrenching sobs at the injustice of it all.
Because I have faced the same, harsh, cruel reality and it stinks!
And tomorrow you and I will still be in pain, and we will get up and try to carry on.
And the people with the power and the money will have no idea of the damage that they leave in their wake.
I am so very sorry Soula, you deserve so much better than this.
All I can offer you is my love, support, and my utmost respect for you.
Sue xx xx
Please don’t sob my dear Sue! The last thing I would want is to make people sad, especially those that support me.
I’m just feeling unstable at the moment and it’s the worst way to feel when you’re dealing with daily pain and facing new treatment. It’s really all on at the moment.
You describe it perfectly, we go on in pain and there’s no concept of that stress to those that are in the system ‘doing their job’ as they excuse it.
You have offered me enough. Thank you for being there, even though across the miles. Thank you for sending the love and support through today.
I hope you’re managing ok xxx