Spine and Circumstance

Here's to the New Year and to new beginnings! So much has changed in the weeks gone by, where do I begin with all the updates?


I suppose I'll just go back and begin at the beginning: On the 16th day of February back in 1981.... okay, too far back. Bring it forward some...


After graduation from Spartan in March of 2011, I landed a pretty sweet gig with Lockheed Martin in Marietta, GA. For about six months I worked on the assembly line building the world-renowned C-130j Super Hercules. I learned quite a lot and got to see and do some really cool things, but most importantly I learned that a career in manufacturing is not for me. When I learned that layoff was eminent, I began making plans for a new job. This time at a maintenance facility known as Duncan Aviation in Lincoln, Nebraska.


About 10 weeks before my scheduled departure from Lockheed Martin, I was tying my shoe at the foot of the bed before going in to work when I enjoyed the sensation of a hot ice pick pounded into my spine. I subsequently hit the floor writhing in pain. My cell phone was on the bed so I pulled the edge of the comforter until the phone fell down to me. Fearing the worst, I made some phone calls with what little breath I could get at a time; let my carpool know not to pick me up and let work know I might be out a day or two.


Skipping ahead a little: I learned I had a myofacial strain, some badly strained muscles, and a laundry list of pinched nerves. The good news was that all my discs are okay and everything will heal in time. After six weeks of traction therapy by Dr. Schipske in Marietta, GA and a trip to the E.R., it was time to drive 13 hours from Georgia to Oklahoma - something the doctors did not advise.

Here is a real image of my spine:

That light area in the center is my heart.

"...and they say his heart grew three sizes that day!"

I arrived in Tulsa before the Christmas Holiday season to spend the time with Micah, Miles, and the Pope family before leaving to Lincoln, Nebraska with Micah and Miles in tow. This is where it all changed.


Before leaving Georgia, I knew I would need follow-up care beyond what Dr. Schipske had given. I found another chiropractor and looked at some new X-rays. Dr. Schipske, the E.R. Doctor, and now Dr. Standridge are all in agreement... "You're not going to be able to go back to manual labor for at least 6 months!"


Not the words of encouragement I was looking for just two weeks before starting a new job two states away. Duncan Aviation cannot hire me if I am not capable of performing my job. As all this was happening, things were beginning to grow at alma mater: Spartan College of Aeronautics & Technology. Now for the great news:


Duncan Aviation is pleased to hear that I will be improving my education and experience while recovering my spine problems. My position will be held for me there. Since my separation with Lockheed Martin was result of downsizing and layoff, I qualify to collect unemployment benefits. My course of study at Spartan College is an 'Approved' course of study as per the OK Employment Security Commission and as a result I am not required to perform a work search for each week I am in school.


So, look for us in June when I will graduate with an Associates of Applied Science in Aviation Maintenance Technology and again in 2014 when I will have completed a Bachelor's of Applied Science in Aviation Business Management!