Staring down the barrel.

[soop]

Well... I'm in a tough position at the moment, so I thought I'd seek advice from some members of JC.

I recently had a minor car accident (60kmh collision with another car.) from which I walked away. The following day, I had sever dizziness and blurred vision.
My vision has not improved, and i've been undertaking the appropriate tests to attempt to ascertain what the cause is. So far, to no avail.

So at this point I'm staring down the barrel of living with a permanent disability. To the point where I may no longer be able to continue my current occupation. To add to this, four months ago I found out that my Fiancee was pregnant with our first child. When it rains it pours eh?

I'm left in a position where I really don't know what I should or can do to provide for my family.
Is there anyone here who's has been in a similar position, or deals with issues like this regularly?

[Tim Smtih]

Chiro/Physio done anything about it yet? Could be pressure on nerves and so on that could hopefully be fixed with an adjustment.

[soop]

I've had numerous scans and assessments. Nothing has shown up the issue yet. .
The cause isn't my concern at the moment.
I want to prepare myself, in the event that my sight doesn't recover.

[illusionalvr]

can we get a timeframe on when this happened? id be prepared that it isnt your eyes, so there will always be hope of being able to get your vision back.

[Rusty]

Were you concussed in the accident? I think with concussion, it can blur your vision for up to a couple months after the accident and give you dizziness. Sometimes it comes on a couple days after the accident.

The more times you get concussion or knocked out the more severe the affects can be (majic number seems to be 3 times in a year). I have done a bit of research on this sort of stuff from previous "accidents" and even the doctor's don't know squat when it comes to head injuries.

On the flipside, at least your pregnant fiance won't look so bad with blurred vision...... Good Luck mate

[soop]

Its been a week, Bugger all really.
I was told on the day, by an ER nurse that i wasn't concussed.
When I returned with the vision issues they did some tests on my eyes, and refereed me to an ophthalmologist. He did some more tests and found nothing wrong with my eyes.

I then returned to my GP (Only doctor i trust) and he has sent me for a CT scan. Which i'll get the results of tomorrow.
As I'm sure you can imagine its a rather stressful period, and I'm simply pondering the options, should the worst case scenario present itself.

[Rusty]

Slipped retina in your eye maybe? Did you bang your head?

[illusionalvr]

as im flying blind with this one. but this is what i have found.

Whiplash Neck Sprain

most of what i have found though reading suggests a neck sprain, or the like. so get them to focus around your neck. go to someone who has worked with this type of circumstance before.

[soop]

The Opthamologist used a laser to inspect my retina and found nothing wrong.
I've had numerous X-rays on my neck and there is nothing obvious, nor is there any form of pain there. I appreciate the concern, but at this point I'm investigating the options open to me should the problem not be rectified.

Has anyone here ever suffered an disabilty and had to retrain?

[soop]

The Opthamologist used a laser to inspect my retina and found nothing wrong.
I've had numerous X-rays on my neck and there is nothing obvious, nor is there any form of pain there. I appreciate the concern, but at this point I'm investigating the options open to me should the problem not be rectified.

Has anyone here ever suffered an disabilty and had to retrain?

[Ace_VP]

I remember when Colin Mcrae flipped his pajero in the Dakar rally he went completle blind for a short period of time, his vision slowly came back. Im no doctor but if there is swelling somewhere in your body it may be affecting nerves or something that control your vision.

Second question, were you found to be at fault in the accident? In NSW we have a green slip insurance policy that is required for the car to be registered each year, this green slip is sort of like medical insurance and pays out in the event of an injury in a collision and also covers stuff like physio bills and stuff, if your vision is permanently affected insurance may give you a small pay out to help cover expenses until you work things out, well it does in NSW. Matt

[soop]

Yeah, I was at fault. I don't think it matters with the TAC in Victoria though. And they do help out.
I'm just sifting through ideas at the moment. There's no use dwelling in the negative.

[Cúl-Báire]

Yeah, I was at fault. I don't think it matters with the TAC in Victoria though. And they do help out.
I'm just sifting through ideas at the moment. There's no use dwelling in the negative.

Step 1) Lodge claim with TAC

Step 2) ...

Step 3) Make money?


In all seriousness, TAC will help with the costs, etc... regardless of who is at fault. I wouldn't be too worried about your sight, I am sure it is just a time thing as most head related injuries are, in the mean time have the docs keep trying to track down the issue.

In early 2009 I was involved in a serious accident, in which I suffered some pretty bad head trauma; the side effects of which lasted nearly 6 months!

[soop]

Thanks mate.
Thats what im worried about. 6months i'll be stuffed. I can't work in my trade at all at the moment!

[Ace_VP]

Yeah, I was at fault. I don't think it matters with the TAC in Victoria though. And they do help out.
I'm just sifting through ideas at the moment. There's no use dwelling in the negative.

Ok, i wasnt sure in VIC if being at fault changed things, but thats good if it doesnt.

Its hard then I guess and its a tough position to be in, i know blokes that have been in my line of work and been injured doing what the love and then all of a sudden cause of some pissed idiot who wont leave the pub etc they are medically retired.

As the others have said take it a day at a time and start working out a plan. What do you do for a living?

[soop]

Im a spray painter.
And at the moment, Im flat out focusing enough to type here (Lucky i know where the buttons are eh?)
So seeing scratches in panels is utterly impossible.

[minux]

soop, start talking to your employer, perhaps you can work in admin until further notice? Work as a manager of sorts? Loads of options.

One i will say, as sounds like you will be going through a compensation claim, stay positiive.

[HamaTime™]

Do you have Death and TPD/Income Insurance?

[soop]

Yeah, I will deffinatly talk with him.
Unfortunatly its a small business and only really needs the two guys that are already in the office.
Aside from sweeping floors (fug that with a fist) I in all reallity can't see much.

I am trying to stay positive, as I said, no point dwelling on negative things. That will only lead to negative outcomes.

Something that does keep crossing my mind is perhaps being able to retrain in some sort of business management. I've worked in supervising positions before in a large factory. So i can't see it being a huge step, but then I've no idea what it entails obviously.
I know Im along way from that point, but i guess i have to be prepared for the possibility.

Edit:
Nah, no income insurance.
I'm 22, haven't ever really even had time to consider it. My life kind of "Started" all of a sudden at the end of last year haha.

[Cúl-Báire]

Thanks mate.
Thats what im worried about. 6months i'll be stuffed. I can't work in my trade at all at the moment!

It's all relative I am sure, you say your accident was "minor", where as mine was extremely serious and I was lucky to survive (my shoulder and a few other parts will never function the same). I am quite sure in a few weeks you'll be back to normal, in the mean time I would be claiming loss of income from TAC.

[soop]

Thanks for the optimism mate.
I guess I am a bit spooked, due to the drastic change.

Edit: Whats strange is, When I was 16 I pranged a car, and literally destroyed it (HX Kingswood into some redgums at something approaching 100kmh) Both me and my friend walked away unhurt. Now, when it counts, i have a wee little ding and its dropped on me like a tonne of bricks.

[Ace_VP]

Thanks for the optimism mate.
I guess I am a bit spooked, due to the drastic change.

Edit: Whats strange is, When I was 16 I pranged a car, and literally destroyed it (HX Kingswood into some redgums at something approaching 100kmh) Both me and my friend walked away unhurt. Now, when it counts, i have a wee little ding and its dropped on me like a tonne of bricks.

And understandably so mate, it would freak anyone out.

Some times the smallest of accidents can be the bad ones cause they often cause little weird injuries, like yours, with no visible signs for doctors to pick up on straight away.

Keep your chin up mate, if the docs cant see or find a set problem it might just mean its a temporary thing. Lets hope so. Matt

[soop]

Well, the doctors have no idea whats wrong with me.
The CT scan came back with no obvious problems. So I might need an MRI scan.

Mean while i still can't work, grrr.

[CSP]

Pretty sure your total permanent disability and/or income protection insurance should cover you for a decent lump sum + 75% of your income. No big deal really except a MAJOR bummer to end up with a permanent disability.

[soop]

lol, i just feel like crap.
like I should be at work, but i know theres **** all i can do...