Mid life crisis or new beginning - part the second

The story so far http://forums.sv650.org/viewtopic.ph...548&highlight=

Well, things have certainly moved on since May and I am totally wiped out, it's been a stressful few months one way and another (project overruns, getting married, unsuccessful house hunting) but as of last Friday I feel that it was worth it. It seems that I was misinformed about the vision requirement to drive ambulances - they specify "good eyesight" and I took that to mean as in the RAF, police or fire brigade sense so not wanting to humiliate myself didn't look any further. I've never felt tempted to have laser surgery having heard too many horror stories (colleague is still off work with bluring problems) although I hear there's a new technique involving implanted lenses that is just becoming available which may be worth looking at... My attitude was that unless I really needed the work done I would be grateful for the eyes I have as things could be far worse and at least IT pays the bills. I was considering going back to college next year either to do a masters in "geophysical information systems" with remote sensing or operating department practioner which was my prefered option and did not have an eyesight requirment (apart possibly from not being colour blind.)

Anyway.... on Friday morning I found myself wandering out of Denmark Hill station looking for the Occupational Health Dept. of Kings College Hospital for what I sincerely hoped was the last stage in a fairly strung out chain of events It all started a couple of months before with a chance phone call to Greenwich Uni' enquiring about a paramedic science course starting in September 2007 only to be told that they still had vacancies for this year, would I like to apply? So, numerous forms, interviews and fitness tests later, here I was with just one minor hurdle to go. The driver medical, including of course the dreaded eye test. My optician had told me I should have no trouble but as just about every career choice I'd made in the past had been blocked I was wondering why this should be any different. The more I found out about the job, the more I was certain that it was what I wanted to do and naturally I was bricking it. As it turned out, no problems so as of 25th of the month I'm gonna be a stoodunt again. I shouldn't really have worried as the omens were good, I'd just got a decent lease car at last at work - Peugeot 206 Hdi sport - and after seven years, my first free copy of Computer Weekly arrived on my desk so clearly it was time to be moving on.

For the first year it's full time college and the second and third, a 50:50 split. Provided I don't foul up, once I finish I'm a registered paramedic and have a job with London Ambulance Service. There's an elective 4th year to go on for a full degree which I'd like to do as ultimately I want to move onto the training side.

It will be a steep learning curve and ironically I'll be at Avery Hill in Eltham where I first studied 25 years ago, talk about going back in time. Unfortunately unlike some ambulance trusts, LAS don't offer a bursury for the first year and the second two years are at half pay so there's a hell of a financial hit but on the plus side I get to live with my wife (long story) and the old SV will finally start to earn her keep as I lose the lease car.

For the first time I feel that I have got something to aim for and can do something meaningful with my life. But in 5 years time I'll probably be just as cynical as the rest of them...

thats good news really pleased for you good luck

[anna]

It's nice to hear that things are looking up for you and it sounds like you have worked very hard to turn things around. You can normally tell when things are right or you have made the right choices by the fact that things slot into place for you and it sounds like this time it has done just that!


Time to go have a beer and be glad things are going in the right direction !!

[Biker Biggles]

Well done.I hope it all works out for you,but I bet you a fiver it does'nt take five years to get "as cynical as the rest of them"
Do you have any options for freelance IT work to get you by for the first couple of years?That could be very useful.

Nick, that's great news!!! Well done!!!

well done you. it takes balls to turn your life around like that. all the best

Cheers guys. It's only just sinking in, wife say's I spent yesterday walking around with a stupid grin, almost didn't recognise me as she's so used to the long face. I certainly couldn't do it without her support, still at least we should be able to talk the same language now her being a midwife and all. She's going to let me borrow her old text books

Well done! Good luck

Well done and good luck if you need any medical books I may be able to get hold of some!