I went skiing yesterday and destroyed my knee. Fibula, acl/pcl/lcl…
Anyone work with crutches, or wheelchair? Winter is tight this year.
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A busted knee sucks.
I have way to much experience with broken bodies. My business originally became my main income because 40 hours a week Indy day job couldn’t pay for the medical bills. Also… when I couldn’t get off the floor because of pain I could say “sorry dear customer, I’m fully booked for a few days”. Much easier than “ummm, yeah sorry boss I can’t walk again today. Yeah so I won’t be coming in”
The point of that over-sharing is to give credibility to my advice. Which is as follows:
As a solo window cleaner your job depwnds on your physical ability.
As an injured window cleaner your priority is to_recover your physical ability!_
I was lucky because some days I couldn’t Walk and some days I could climb ladders.
If you have a “normal” injury with a fixed expected recovery period… take it! Your need to heal completely before returning to physical work or you will be fucking yourself up for the future.
If you get broke I would rather post you money than have you extend the injury by returning to work to soon.
I’ve way overshared but if you need more convincing that recovery time is important, google me, call me and I will convince you!
(Rant over, please take care of yourself!)
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I’m sure I come across as a massive whinger/sad sack/loser here
but I don’t GAF
Please look after yourself! Priority number 1!
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Sorry to hear about the knee.I ve had a fair share of broken bones and injuries over the years.Done my own knee while i was riding my bike(was nt my fault.car pulled out in front of me and i had nowhere to go!)I was out for a few weeks and then a further 5 weeks after surgery on my crucia ligament.Being a solo i know what your probably thinking in terms of work but trust me its not worth it.If you need surgery or physio get it done asap and heal.You’ll be back on the road before you know it.Good luck and i hope you have a speedy recovery.
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Have to agree with recover physical health. I broke my back while between jobs. It was a struggle, but 5 months later I was working, 2 months after working I took 3rd place in a mountain bike race. Five years later I broke 8 ribs, dislocated collar bone, and torn Rotator cuff. Healed from that but was out of work for more than 2 months. Thing is I could not have worked for long (if at all) if I had not healed properly and gone through Physical Therapy. It sucks. It really sucks when you income is cut off! But it isn’t forever, you will heal. Talk to those whom you owe and make arrangements. There is assistance in every city for people in need if it gets that bad. Heal quickly man.
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Sorry to hear about the injury. I wish you a speedy recovery.
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years ago when i had an insulating business i broke a wrist at one point and a foot another time.
the job involved climbing ladders cuttting through the roof climbing into the attic thru a hole barely big enough scooting about the attic while pulling and directing the insulation through the3.5 inch diameter hose.
very challenging with broken bones.
with the foot i had to hire an installation tech. he said he was the best installer ever and was the lead tech for one of the most stuck up companies in the city. he put his foot through a ceiling in a nearly new home in a room that included kitchen ,dining and family room. big repair.
with the wrist i took a very short time off, then went back to work to soon and ended taking about 5 years for recovery.
i suggest you hire a helper that you can supervise so you have overwatch on all jobs but can recover properly
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get well soon
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I’ve seen a handicapped man in wheel chair poling like a beast. Where theres a will theres a way. You could also hire someone and train them. Thats an excellent idea if youve been thinking about taking on some help because without help you wouldnt be making anything anyway
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Concur with all the above and hope you get a speedy recovery. Doing marketing from home and getting a helper might be the best option.
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Sorry to hear that, that sucks big time, if you can get one of your buddy to help for the time being.
It going to awhile before your going to be able to even wobble around with out pain and adding cold, ice and snow to the mix is not going to help, get on the phone to some buddies and see if they can help out.
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i have an injury to my lower back. They used to recommend bed rest but found that that actually slows healing, now they recommend “active” rest, which means move a little but take it easy. i find doing a 1 story home to be exactly that, the MOST helpful thing for my back when i re-injure it is to get back to work on easy houses. I don’t know what the best thing is for a knee though, though i would think it wouldn’t be atrophy.
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Consult with a PT or OT, explain your work responsibilities, and see if they can help you find a middle ground.
I’m really sorry to hear it, man.
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Perhaps you can get the kind of brace the football players wear on their knees. When you’re like 80% healed and need a brace so it doesn’t get reinjured when it’s feeling better but not strong.
On a side note: most customers are understanding when these things happen, good luck.
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I broke a few bones back in 2008. I was out of work for 7 months. I hope you have a lot of savings. You are going to need it. I suggest finding another window cleaner/subcontractor and paying him a hefty commission (60% to 75%) while you are recovering. A little money is better than zero money.
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Time to hire someone teach them as you go along and have it the guy that you need to support you I’m as the business grows
Sorry to hear that.
Blew my acl out ten years ago worked until surgery then was out of action for about 8 weeks.
Not much you can do until you heal up. It’s not worth re injury
Stories like this remind me to look into disability insurance like Aflac
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this could be the best thing that ever happened to you.
use this to expand your business and become a business owner rather than a self employed worker.
no offence intended to anyone.
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with minimum delay you need to act on a plan to keep the ball rolling. im in agreement with others who say nows the time to employ. it will cost you money at first -but long term youll be very glad you employed [in my opinion]
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Tore my MCL playing basketball in November. Lucky to have trained employees.
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Non concur.
You clearly stated facts about ongoing conditions and presented mitigation techniques. Most forumites appreciate the freedom of being self employed and they appreciate being able to develop and implement solutions for their unique likes and dislikes.
You are only accountable to yourself. No other forumite has the right or prerogative to judge how you deal with your individual challenges.
Malcolm
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