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I can't even imagine how frustrated I would be if I had an injury that was causing me to have consistent pain and my employer was unwilling to allow me to get a surgery I wanted to resolve it.
I know it wasn’t your intent but this part of your post struck a nerve and really annoyed me.
I work in a profession that beats up your body (Buffalo firefighter). Its pretty hard to avoid getting injured on duty at some point over the course of your career. But my employer (City of Buffalo) doesn’t care about that and f***s with us relentlessly any time we get injured. Even going so far as denying you even got injured.
We frequently have to fight every step of the way after getting injured. From getting the injury approved, imaging approved, to PT approved to surgery approved. Every time we win a step of this fight its due to proving beyond a doubt something was needed. Even if we have to go to arbitration to do it.
I bring my job situation up because, like many regular jobs, getting things approved is about needing them done. Jack’s situation isn’t about a need. Its about want. I don’t begrudge him that want. In fact I support him on it.
But I very much take issue with the idea he is some sort of martyr we should feel sorry for. He is set for life financially already at the age of 25 with 30+mil in the bank. He doesn’t have any of the financial stresses most people have to deal wrestle with when dealing with a serious injury. He’ll be more than fine as this eventually gets resolved.