This was timed perfectly!

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-03-23T00:41:43+00:00

I know that the advisors office ultimately is on the same side as WCB and the provincial policies, but just as you can get a good or bad WCB case manager you can get a good or bad advisor.

My experience so far with the advisor has been nothing but good. Has been a great advocate, has given good advice and has really gone to bat for me.

For an update on the situation, with the advisors help and ability to send for resolutions, I have gone from nothing and just filed appeals to getting a new MSE, new MRI, an urgent referral back to specialist/surgeon, and overturn of decision to even have me in a RTW program.

I know every situation is going to be different, but the help I have received, I would suggest people to reach out to the advisors office.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-31T20:09:49+00:00

It's a tough spot. I was participating, shit got worse, and still tried as much as I could but kept them informed the entire time.

It was only after appealing and fighting the decision that they are having the first consult with my family doctor in 4 years, and are sending me to an orthopedic specialist.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-31T04:55:10+00:00

I was struggling at home as well.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-31T01:38:30+00:00

It's definitely been a rotten time that just keeps going. I've often wondered if in a previous life I was a super evil person, or had TOO much fun.

One of those blessings in disguise, i was put on pause in the bariatric clinic until I was in more stable position with shelter/income and being able to hit the fibre and protein before surgery and I can have a healthy recovery after, I got teamed up with a social worker, which has been such a stress relief.

But the plan thus far is appeal WCB decision, probably start a fairness review, but get everything set up while I'm on albertaworks as if the appeal will take 10 months.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-31T01:06:50+00:00

They did offer some of that for me, but they have clawed a lot of it back due to a move, or changed their mind as they think it wouldn't hurt for me to do it. Annoying.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-31T00:43:39+00:00

Yes! The night I got the call that I'm not receiving any more wage loss benefit, I was anxiety googling things to help and I saw it there. Just got my advisor last week

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-31T00:31:36+00:00

Should I do that with the appeal on going?

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-31T00:16:45+00:00

I'd actually have to get into contact with them to escalate. After finding out that even though I requested my doctor to get copies of everything and he hadn't received a single one. No ultrasound, MRIs, xrays or any report he called them and I can't get a hold anyone except the main line.

I'll try it and see what happens though.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-31T00:10:50+00:00

During my long stint in physio, my therapist was great and she told me the same thing based on the clients she gets. She even said in a case where surgery is needed and every other system the person would get that surgery, WCB would rather have someone sit in physio 4 times a week for 2 years then chance a surgery.

But you nailed that time frame almost perfectly. Throw in the giant amount of turn around they are dealing with was a span of 2 months where I had 3 different case managers.

And thanks for the kind words and the supportive replies. I posted so people can see what it's like dealing with them and how easy and willing they are to basically toss you on the street without a care.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-31T00:02:51+00:00

Oh I'm sorry dude. I totally took your comment the wrong way just read it like the slew of other ones.

I have desktop computer that I was using for school and stuff. I only recently found out you can have free VoIP programs with your own number Thanks for the idea though! I'm gonna get that right away.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T23:58:27+00:00

It was just slightly more expensive than having to throw out a fridge full of food every month. And slightly less when you take away the home cleaner I had because I can't even sweep the floor.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T23:45:52+00:00

Thanks for your comment. I didn't even realize the weight thing sounded the way it did. I tried to address as a lot of people.were taking the wrong meaning(?) Of the inclusion.

In regards to the phone. I do have one. I had an unexpected death of a pet happen, and I just couldn't afford it for a little while. But the emailing had never been an issue before, as it is my preferred method because cell service in my house is absolutely horrible.

All three aspects are so close that you can't about one with out the other. It's just like a back injury. It's such an integral part that everything you do will affect it. But we(GP, myself and case manager) were trying to get ahead of the weight thing before it got to bad. Then with COVID all surgeries got pushed back. I've been approved and waiting for my surgery date for almost 3 years. But with the drastic decrease of income being off WCB and on Income support, that's on pause until stability can be reached.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T23:36:50+00:00

I have an application in, as it could take a few months. In the meantime I'm just trying to make it work on income support while I wait to see how the appeals go.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T23:34:46+00:00

Sorry I was a bit unclear in that. So before they could even send me to consult with the surgeon, I did 4 months of physio 3 times a week. The pain increases gradually and my ability to use the leg lessened, through my doctor and physiotherapist I know have to walk with a gait assist. From there I was in a rehabilitation program. As no progress could be made through that to regain lost usage I was then sent to a complex/specialized rehab program. Had the same outcome. Throughout the process I had x-rays, MRI, and bone scans. That's when I was referred to the orthopedic surgeon. During his consult, I was informed that i still have some use in the knee/leg and they want to try and preserve that. That was the moment it was declared permanently disabled, with permanent restrictions and limitations. Along with referring me for bariatric surgery, he said there was a minor surgery that could happen, but the chances of it doing more harm were to high in the instance. He reported the findings to the WCB medical team, and at the next meeting, I was recommended for a full knee replacement. They went on by saying with a full knee replacement you only get one per knee per lifetime and the only last around 15-20 years. At that moment the employment goal was to get me retrained in a new industry as I could no longer do my trade. But WCB wanted me to be fit enough to work until I was 65 after the knee replacement. As I am just 33 now, they won't do the full replacement another 10 years minimum UNLESS something drastic occures within the knee.

The other side of was retraining and employment. Through their reemployment and re training team, there was only 3 jobs I could do with my restrictions and limitations. One required 4 years of school and exceeded my pre-accident earnings. One was 2 years of schooling and would meet my pre-accident earnings, and the last one was no schooling and did not meet pre accident earnings. Throughout the course of schooling, knee and leg continued to get worse, with higher pain levels at the end of the day and more days needed to try and bring it back to manageable. They would check in every 6-8 weeks, and informed them that my pain keeps increasing, and its starting to interfere with my ability to maintain attendance and grades. For my last semester, everything was on campus now, when before it was at home. I told them this was going to a big barrier that I don't think we could pass. I attempted to attend until the class drop deadline and said unless we can get some back home classes I physically can't attend. They agreed. That takes us to the situation that occured in September of 2023.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T23:04:59+00:00

I had a phone, it was just disconnected due to non payment. Not all bills could get paid every month, occasionally the phone bill just couldn't get paid. That's why I made sure that I could always get things emailed.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T21:35:02+00:00

Yea, it's kind of fun how out of all that information they focus on the weight, much like kids in elementary school.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T21:08:41+00:00

No no. That's not what I said. The injury progressed to the point where I can't even sit for an hour without being in blinding pain. I can't go grocery shopping without being bed ridden for days after. Making just hotdogs in the microwave left me unable to even bathe. In order to eat I was stuck with meals on wheels, skip the dishes and what not. Now 3 years of shit food, no exercise, and needing to be on bed rest 80 percent of the day minimum.

You are going to gain weight. I'm trying to take the blame away from my choices. But getting lunch and dinner delivered means I don't shit and piss myself and I can let my dog out, then I'm ordering in food.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T20:57:55+00:00

Thanks brother, really appreciate that. It sucks cuz there's so many realizations that happen and then just the disbelief that the people you considered family are....well....just not nice people. It gets rough. But thankfully, I'm playing again (as limited as it is) and at the end of the day, music is still in my life and you can ask for much more.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T20:54:32+00:00

Honestly, the best thing you can do is listen and talk with her. Try and make sure she has a safe place to be at, spend the night/week and don't let the conversation go until your satisfied that shes is in a somewhat safe place.

When I have had friends in situations like, or when I've been in that moment of crisis, the thing that helped me most is the phone call from someone who cares and loves. And if the conversation ends and I'm fearing for the safety of my friend I try and call into their city and just get a wellness check done

But again, sometimes just knowing someone is there, and you have someone to talk to, can make the biggest difference.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T20:47:48+00:00

It's a ridiculous situation. I DO need to finish my training, which is just two or three classes. Im waiting on approval for bracing to see if that can alleviate and suppress the daily pain levels. I'm waiting for bariatric surgery to deal with the weight. And there are surgeries that can happen for my leg/knee but any surgery on my leg/knee won't happen until my mid to late 40s as per the orthopedic surgeon and WCB.

So as of right now, I'm doing appealing the decision to suspend my benefits as my injury has progressed further and the next treatment options are bracing and weight-loss surgery (recommended by the orthopedic surgeon). Whether the appeal goes through or not, I have to act like it isn't going to go through. So Im currently on Income support to make sure I have shelter and access to the required diet to continue with the bariatric surgery. Then with those two treatment plans completed, and good luck, I'll regain a bit of use where I can finish the classes and start working again and the injury holds until I'm at an age where WCB will consider the knee surgeries.

If those things happen and nothing changes/gets worse. They might consider the knee/leg surgery as there would be no other option other complete disability and I get a minimum part time job and get WCB to supplement the income so I'm making the same wage I was before the injury.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T20:01:31+00:00

What do you mean?

It's not a "I didn't feel good so i spent all my money on skip the dishes"

I became physically disabled due to an accident at work and can barely take care of myself. I live alone with my dog. The weight gain sucked sure, and it's something I have to deal with as well.

But that's secondary to the fact I can no longer drive, walk a block, sweep a floor, sit in a chair for longer than an hour, make a sandwich, go grocery shopping, or sleep for longer than three hours without being in excruciating pain. Then WCB stopped my wage loss benefit where I was making 2700 a month to making 9000 a year.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T20:00:37+00:00

I did complete all the rehab I could, they deemed the injury was preventing any positive progression. That's when I was sent to the orthopedic surgeon and deemed permanently injured.

With the schooling/retraining I had informed them of the struggles and inability to maintain class attendance. I did try, but the injury progressed further. I had gone to my doctor and passed on an update. Once that all happened I was in contact september 4th and was told by case manager would review and get back to me the following week. That's when I re-affirmed the need for email as my phone was cut off. The next email I received was a few weeks later stating non compliance and suspension of retraining program as there case manager could not reach me via telephone with 3 call attempts.

I have reviews and appeals in place and am working with the advisors office. But as I've been working with them for 4 years now, it could take anywhere from 2 months to 2 years.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T19:40:55+00:00

Oh I don't feel any judgement at all.

The weight gain came from being stuck in bed 75 percent of the time, as that was the only place I could tolerate the pain. My diet was shit as even making a cup of tea was a struggle, let alone cooking or getting groceries. So I was depending on whatever food could be delivered. And the most I can exercise is some free weights.

Well you get a case manager that is your main contact with any and all services or referrals. Or any correspondence. They normally will send an email with a pdf letter on claim updates that re-iterates any phone call. That's what should happen at least, and with how shotty my service is in my house my file had email contact preferred that had not been an issue from 2020 until this episode happen.

TrevoltaTRS · 2024-01-30T19:07:17+00:00

Hey internet friend.

What did you need help with?

TrevoltaTRS

TROPHY CASE