Working in Florida

[Lady in Red...]

Catherine,

Thank you for your post. I'm sorry you have gone such a difficult ordeal.

Did you approach the chiropractor regarding his fradulent behaviors? What about the Dept. of Health? Because you let your license lapse, does that mean you have not been working?

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Hi Donna and Good Morning.

First off this was at the beginning of my career, 10 years ago. But yes I did, he just denied it. The Health Dept suggested this tactic and since there was ill health in the family the extra 6 month or so of waiting was no big deal. I never let my National license lapse, just state. I did continue to work from home and state knew about it, they said basically, just don't let us know "formally" and then get a new license. It was not a tactic I would suggest to others but I had no means of legally doing anything at the time(money) he had it, I didn't
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The chiropractor, as you said, didn't know what your work was about, so how could he dictate to you how to treat a client and not allow you to keep records in the office? For me that would have been all I needed to walk.

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Agreed, but back then I wanted to believe I could make a difference, I engaged the doctor to become more informed of my work and what it entails. His secretary and other assistants made it very difficult for me to formalize any change in progress notes and procedure. As far as they were concerned his soap notes were enough. I could write pages on what I had to go though there...I had hoped that with perseverance and time change would be inevitable. I believed in myself to know what was right for the patient and kept my information in my head and at home - at the very least the experience of doing this made my mind very sharp and intuit with the needs of the patient.
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Yes, the economy is terrible now, but in my practice here in MA, I have found it to be brisk BECAUSE of the economy. People are so stressed that they need help, so they are looking for massage. I have new people calling regularly. Some regular clients have dropped off temporarily, they say, until they can find a new job, or others rebook further down the line, but for the most part business is good.

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I truly wish I could say the same here. I have long term and some newer clients here but it has dropped off considerably. Even some of the companies that I did office work for have closed down. I have clients that are engineers, they now work at the local grocery mart.

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My plans to move to Florida have been affected by the economy so I will not be doing so for at least 2 years, maybe more. In the meantime, I visit at least twice a year, and when I am there I am checking out the area, visiting places, etc., to get a feel for how things are done and what the demographics are.

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I don't know where you are visiting but in my area I would highly suggest staying put in MA. Permanently. If your looking for warmer climate think on California or Arizona, both may be expensive but the pay rate accommodates. Not so in florida, at least not where I'm at.
The average person is paid 6 to 8 $ an hour. and that's almost gallon of milk here. Our economy has been upside down and cheated for many years and now with the new hardships in the general economy it's down right scary. I have seen 800,000 homes in Miami sell for 300,000. not to mention the our rural areas. My 200,000 + home now is only worth 120,000 but my insurance is regulated at 180,000. I just received a letter informing me of this last week. What is that saying about fighting city hall? And here we must have 4 types of insurance not just home. It costs me about about 8000 a year. And that is a ins. plan that is 30 years old, so I am not seeing the expense that others are. every other neighbor around me has either left or foreclosed, mostly from ins costs and hikes. I would say that it is about 1 in every 3 homes is empty. They have been raising on the average of 400$ a year....each one, that's 1200$ a year for most folks.
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I appreciate your words of caution when looking for a job. What you describe can be found everywhere, I believe, and it is up to us to try to gather as much information before deciding where to work. Unfortunately you had a bad experience, but I am sure you will find the right place in time.

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Thankyou Donna, I don't know why I wrote so much, perhaps I just needed to vent.
I do hope all of us see better times and soon. the next time your in florida feel welcomed to give a ring, if you have yet to see the nature coast, it is still beautiful indeed.
Warm Regards,
Catherine

Edited by Moogie to correct quote eforum.xxxs