My sappy story

[All Torhs Team 0]

So I'm 18 years old and have been saving up money since I was about 16 to buy a truck. I worked landscaping which payed me $11 an hour which was pretty damn good for a kid my age especially when I was 16. In the winter I did snow removal for a company that still payed $11 per hour and in the fall I did leaf removal, gutter cleaning and aeriating yards for $11. Im not saying I banked but It was decent money for a kid at my age in my area. So finally now that I turned 18 I bought a 2003 F-250 two wheel drive that was in excellent condition for a pretty good price. In all honesty it was a steal. I was committed to paying the $130 it took to fill up every week and a half, and I was on a payment plan that had me paying $100 every week until it was payed off. I put down a $4000 down payment on it up front.

I also had another job at a bar where I cooked part time. That job of course was a minimum wage job but I stayed around because I just loved the place and the people and the type of atmosphere the bar had. Its a country bar that brings in alot of bikers every night, plays great classic rock and roll, and every body there is very friendly. Plus my manager is one of the coolest people I have ever met so no complaints what so ever from me.

So Im feeling pretty good, two jobs to pay for my truck. Honestly I think the reason I wanted this truck was so I could finally claim something that I had to really work hard for. Nothing that my mommy or daddy handed to me. And I had honestly worked for this truck.

Heres where everything goes wrong. Doctor diagnoses me with klieneboch's disease. Something I had never heard of, nor either of my parents. Its hard to explain klieneboch's disease because I guess theres a couple different stages and a few different places in the wrist it can take place. But in short it was in my wrist and a bone loss blood supply so the cartilage surrounding the bone disintegrated slowly. It was very painful, and for example I could not do a push up for the life of me. It makes it so you cant bend your wrist up or down.

So I had surgery about a month ago and they put in a metal plate in replace of my bone. Painful recovery but theres no way around it, plus I get a badass scar on my arm out of it. But it not worth me losing my landscaping job. I tried it this morning for the first time, I wont be able to go back. My wrist will have its limits for the rest of my life which really cancels out alot of job opportunitys. Especially because it is my good right wrist. Well there goes my $11 an hour paycheck which leaves me with my minimum wage bar paychecks. That will not support the needs of the truck by any means. Now Im looking at being forced to sell the truck back. Luckily the guy understands and is offering me back my money in full. Im really depressed that I worked really hard for something and now I have to get rid of it because of a obstacle that cant be overcome.

Besides selling my truck I honestly dont know if/how well I will be able to play hockey again. Im rostered on a team but dont plan on getting on the ice for another month or so.

Right now life just sucks. Sure I have a complete refund on my truck but I still feel like Ive been robbed.

[JR97 2]

That sucks, dude. So sorry to hear that. While I"ve had isues that prevented me from playing hockey, guitar, etc. throughout my life, nothing was permanent. So I feel blessed. The beauty of your situation... and I do believe there is beauty in every situation... is that you now have the opportunity to really branch out grow to find ways around your set-back. As far as the truck goes, maybe come up with a list of things you can do for these employers that doesn't involve the wrist. Learn to drive a bobcat? You'd make bank for your age.

I'm not sure of the hockey repercussions, but let's say your shot goes to hell. Now you can really focus on dishing, defense, positioning and speed as a tool besides just carrying the puck. Maybe the backhand is still good? Jim Abbott pitched in the majors with only one hand. Brian Berard is legally blind in one eye. Theo Fleury has Crones disease. If there's a will there's a way. I'd love to hear about you by seasons end and what you did to overcome.

[hockeysc23 0]

Hey, sorry to hear about this current setback.

The key is being not to dwell on it. Hopefully throughout your life you will get the chance to own many cars and trucks and have several successful jobs that pay way over 11 bucks an hour.

Look at this as a temporary setback and work harder to save up for that next purchase. You know learned the knowledge of just purchasing a car isnt the only cost involved (fuel is a big cost now adays) and get the benefit of a full refund. I wish I could sell my Jeep back if I had that option!

So best of luck, keep your head up.

[chippa13 1844]

Have you ruled out the possibility of rehabbing your wrist to the point where you can get one of those nice paying gigs again?

[All Torhs Team 0]

Hey I really do appreciate the kind comments. I realize there are much much more severe situations and that mine truly isnt as bad as it could be. I get that, I just felt like venting. I understand that theres worse things that are happening to people and at least Im still walking.

Im not to sure how this season will go, again I wont get on ice for another month or so. My shots been weak for about a year so now I really dont see it getting much better but I guess I will find out.

I wont be able to rehabilitate my wrist fully. It will never be as strong. All the surgery really did was stop the disease from progressing. The doc says it will remain as bad as when I came in to his office. So if thats the case then Ive got alot of working around things to do.

But yea Ill start looking for new jobs that dont require me to use my dominant hand as much. Maybe try reffing some hockey games. If a fight breaks out Im not getting into it! :P

[hockeysc23 0]

Hey I really do appreciate the kind comments. I realize there are much much more severe situations and that mine truly isnt as bad as it could be. I get that, I just felt like venting. I understand that theres worse things that are happening to people and at least Im still walking.

Im not to sure how this season will go, again I wont get on ice for another month or so. My shots been weak for about a year so now I really dont see it getting much better but I guess I will find out.

I wont be able to rehabilitate my wrist fully. It will never be as strong. All the surgery really did was stop the disease from progressing. The doc says it will remain as bad as when I came in to his office. So if thats the case then Ive got alot of working around things to do.

But yea Ill start looking for new jobs that dont require me to use my dominant hand as much. Maybe try reffing some hockey games. If a fight breaks out Im not getting into it! :P

Not that I am sure 100% of your disease but that diagnosis of it never getting better has been given to lots of people (i.e. Lance Armstrong for one). It is up to you how much work you want to put in to TRY and overcome it. Letting the diagnosis end your pursuit is not smart in my opinion.

The reffing idea is great though. And you can make some decent money if you get up to a good level and are a fair Ref. Best of luck!

[DavidT 11]

The great thing is it's a pick up truck. They made thousands upon thousands of them. There will always be more to be bought.

Life is good at dealing hard blows. Luckily this one is manageable.