Re: Vent/Rant (a little OT)

[Guest guest]

Tell me about it! My medical benefits for my family cost me $937.00 a month! Our garage bill is just shy of 2k/month. That covers my family, my mom and dad, and our employee. I love paying taxes on money I never get to see.

I do have money put away, but only enough to cover me for 6 months or so, and only have that as I cancelled my new roof due to my health this year. I already have contingency plans in place should I "go down" for a length of time. The worst case scenario is having to remove my name from my business (last resort) and sell my house, as I do have a chunk of equity built in to it. As I am sure you know, I would have to be immobile for this to happen. I have worked way too hard for way too long to allow it all to "go away". The thing that kills me about this country is that if you are in the "middle class" you get nothing until you have nothing. It doesn't seem fair. I came from little and have more than I ever dreamed possible. I don't want that dream shattered. I am not rich, the best example being my beater 1985 Chevy Pick up with 251k miles on it, and our family van, a 93 Chevy Lumina APV with 161k on it, but have a nice house and a business. One of the few advantages to being a mechanic is that I have never had a car payment. I may not have newer cars, but they look like they are newer than they are, and run perfect. Older vehicles also help keep the car insurance low, even when you have to carry far more than the "minimum" allowed coverage.

I do have the advantage of working with two other outstanding mechanics (my father (also my partner)) and one awesome employee. He is young (19) but way ahead of most I know in the business already. They have been able to cover the difference when I have been out, and for someone who missed a whopping two days of work in 16 years prior, I have missed a lot. I have been doing less than 50% of what I was doing even 6 months ago, and I have been leaving early when the need arises.

Long term, I know the business would get hurt if I was out for an extended period. We have an eye open for another young kid to hire, but like everyone else in the industry, have not found what we are looking for. We are not looking for an experienced person, as we have had far better results training them ourselves (both my father and I are ASE Master Techs) rather than trying to break them of bad habits. I also have a philosophy that anyone in this industry that is experienced and looking for a job generally has many reasons why he has to look. I don't know a single tech that is good that has to look, as dealers and garage owners generally come for them.

I know I have to use my head on this, and if it truly came down to it, would choose my health over my assets. I can't imagine my kids not having their dad, nor my wife and I not being together. I always took my health for granted prior to this, at least I thought I would be trouble free until my 50's or better. I used to work out 3x a week, and have always been active, even hyper active. If any good can come out of this, I appreciate my family a lot more. I have always had a good relationship with my wife (except for in April when I was a miserable SOB all of the time) and really am thankful that we have each other. One of the things that was hard for me to say while I was emotionally hurting was that I was afraid. I always had an EGO, even if I didn't outwardly show it, and fear is one thing I always considered to be unacceptable. Well, I still am not comfortable being afraid, but have come to accept it.

I keep praying that better days lie ahead, and hope they do. Kirk.

Re: Vent/Rant

Dear Kirk, I too, have to work for similiar reasons plus how can you affford Med. Ins. w?o a job. I will pray for you. I took a month leave once til the meds took over. Best of Luck! B.Visit the Still's Disease Message Boardhttp://disc.server.com/Indices/148599.htmlThe materials and information contained in this message are not intended to replace the services of a trained health professional or to be a substitute for medical advice of physicians and/or other health care professionals. The International Still's Disease Foundation is not engaged in rendering medical or professional medical services. You should consult your physician on specific medical questions, particularly in matters requiring diagnosis or medical attention. The International Still's Disease Foundation makes no representations or warranties with respect to any treatment, action, application, medication or preparation by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form. ion by any person following the information offered or provided within this support form.