Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Pippa de Chassart — Mon, 19 Nov 2012 04:40:42 GMT

Hi Anon

I have been through exactly this and I did lose my licence for 18 mo or so.

There are so many implications and it really impacted my social life apart from all the medical stuff etc.

What helped me hugely - was a bike ! I started riding to work on my bike, which made the 'commute' more enjoyable and generally improved my state of mind.

There are lots of other things to consider as well,and often a definitivie diagnosis is not reached , however you have to approach the problem in a holistic manner and also deal with it practically.

I changed my life -

*you NEED to reduce your stress levels, work less hours....think less about work

* changed my diet - eat more healthily, think about fresh veggies, vit B etc.

*exercise regularly ( religiously)

All fo these help me and i am not on medication, but I can have a wobble now and then.

On call is not really possible to be honest - without a driver at your beck+ call, and this is not practical in real life.

The RCVS is quite clear about being available (whether you drive or not) within a specific time frame.

Best of luck and if you want to discuss further, message me.

Philippa

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 23:12:59 GMT

OK, you feel strongly with good reason, although I don't suppose Michael has ever done any of the foul (and prosecutable) things you mention. Let's leave it at that.

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Simon Neuhoff — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 22:13:06 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]Substitute the name of the group you are castigating with "black", "lesbian" "Polack" or "Jew" and see how it reads. Then think again if you wish to post your message.[/quote]

But he didn't mention any of those groups. He mentioned cyclists, not a disadvantaged, unfairly-discriminated-against, genetic or religious group as far as I know.

If you personally didn't like his throwaway remark, you could have just ignored it.

On this forum we've had people freely expressing contempt for Christians, Hindus, monarchists, communists, socialists, atheists, people who swear, people who dislike swearing, and other groups. I should think that included quite a number of veterinary surgeons. Those affronted either argued back or kept quiet.

Yours sincerely, married to Catholic Polack (but not Negro, lesbian or Jewish),

[/quote]

Evelyn every cyclist in this country is subjected to a regular stream of verbal and sometimes also physical abuse by other road users. I have had things thrown at me, people creeping up behind and hooting to try to scare me off the bike, been "buzzed" repeatedly and run off the road at least twice. All of this without any form of provocation - simply due to my chosen leisure activity and also mode of transport. My experience is not unique. Every online article on cycling is accommpanied by a barrage of hate messages - bizarrely simultaneously wanting cyclists "off the roads" and "off the pavements". If that does not amount to discrimination then I don't understand the meaning of the word.

You mention all these other posts - I don't recognise that at all about this forum. If such was going on here I wouldn't be a member - and I hardly think Arlo would stand for it.

As for ignoring it - I think that is that is the wrong way to deal with prejudice and hatred. It should be tackled head on and publicly.

I AM sorry for hijacking this thread though. For that I apologise to the OP. I certainly didn't mean to distract from your post or make light of your situation and I hope it all works out well for you.

I won't hijack this thread any further - happy to continue on another thread but I am out of this one - not before time!

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Rajat — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 19:11:22 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

Yours sincerely, married to Catholic Polack (but not Negro, lesbian or Jewish),

[/quote]

I thought the N word is pretty much a no no. My dad used it once (of all places, in the US of A while we were on holiday) I was mortified. Maybe it's a generation thing! Try African-American?

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Rob Davis — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 17:57:14 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]

[quote user="Rob Davis"]grammer[/quote]

Know worra mean, like?

[/quote]

touche!

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Arlo Guthrie — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 17:39:21 GMT

Steady on, everyone. I rather tend to agree that this does look like a bit of an overreaction on the part of the bicycling brigade. I mean, plenty of people have people have told me that they are contemptuous of some of my activities over the years, and so what? They're welcome to their opinion. And trying to draw a parallel between cyclists and black people / Jews is just daft!

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 17:26:07 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]grammer[/quote]

Know worra mean, like?

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Rob Davis — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 17:24:19 GMT

[quote user="Evelyn Barbour-Hill"]On this forum we've had people freely expressing contempt for Christians, Hindus, monarchists, communists, socialists, atheists, people who swear, people who dislike swearing, and other groups. [/quote]

You missed out people who use poor grammer and spelling, and people who use the word "steroids" when they mean "glucocorticoids"....

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 17:21:41 GMT

But he didn't mention any of those groups. He mentioned cyclists, not a disadvantaged, unfairly-discriminated-against, genetic or religious group as far as I know.

If you personally didn't like his throwaway remark, you could have just ignored it.

Yours sincerely, married to Catholic Polack (but not Negro, lesbian or Jewish),

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Jo Cobbett — Sun, 18 Nov 2012 17:14:54 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

poll dancing,

[/quote]

The mind boggles. I'm getting all sorts of wierd mental pictures now...

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

vs0u — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 23:56:50 GMT

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]Oh I see - you were using the word "contempt" in a NICE way. Silly me. [/quote]

Although Michael is quite able to fight his own battles (or not, as sometimes it isn't worth the bother) I have to say that in this instance he didn't deserve the nasty posts directed at him. He makes no secret of the fact he doesn't like/understand cyclists, but his remark wasn't offensive to anyone in particular.

[/quote]

Nope Gillian disagree. Here's a test - apply it to any statement you care to. Substitute the name of the group you are castigating with "black", "lesbian" "Polack" or "Jew" and see how it reads. Then think again if you wish to post your message.

[/quote]

Or you could even substitute another mode of transport - for example train, or bus, or walking. Would it be ok to have contempt for people that use the bus to get to work?

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Michael Woodhouse — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 23:13:54 GMT

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]

Michael here are a few more "psycholist" vets:

http://www.justgiving.com/teams/ccvets

these raised £45 000 for charity

These managed a mere £4 000 for the Veterinary Benevelont Fund:

http://www.bcva.eu/bcva/news/can-you-ride-tandem-gareth-can

[/quote]

I know Gareth. Not quite sure what your point is. A lass in my year at college was learning poll dancing, I understand that has a fair earning potential.

I was a member of a team on a charity clay shoot that raised nearly £10,000 for charity.

http://www.shootinguk.co.uk/news/534571/Clay_pigeon_shooting_event_raises_pound10000_for_charities.html

Not sure of the relevance.

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]or not, as sometimes it isn't worth the bother[/quote]

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Simon Neuhoff — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 23:04:45 GMT

Michael here are a few more "psycholist" vets:

http://www.justgiving.com/teams/ccvets

these raised £45 000 for charity

These managed a mere £4 000 for the Veterinary Benevelont Fund:

http://www.bcva.eu/bcva/news/can-you-ride-tandem-gareth-can

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

james herriot lied — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 22:55:47 GMT

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]

[/quote]

Simon, you're clearly an erudite, reasoned individual. But I have to shout Godwin on this one. Wa-hey!

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Simon Neuhoff — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 22:47:17 GMT

[quote user="Gillian Mostyn"]

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]Oh I see - you were using the word "contempt" in a NICE way. Silly me. [/quote]

[/quote]

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Cat Henstridge — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 22:38:29 GMT

[quote user="alison howell"]Even doing OOH with the car I've sometimes had to leave bodies at the owner's home overnight just because of the impossibility of manhandling a 50 kg dog single handed. [/quote]

You have done euthanasias of 50kg dogs on your own?!? Wow, you are a braver women than I!

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Gillian Mostyn — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 21:20:33 GMT

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]Oh I see - you were using the word "contempt" in a NICE way. Silly me. [/quote]

Michael - you are being very calm about all this. If someone said I have a fat arse (however justified) I would have hunted them down and removed their heart with a spoon by now. Or do you think I am over-reacting?

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

vs0u — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 20:47:45 GMT

When I locum I get the train or cycle to work when it's possible. Much prefer that to driving. House visits are occasionally a problem but I have done many either on foot or by bike, or in a nurse's car. If euthanasing it's often possible to get the cremation company to collect the body from the owners home. Even doing OOH with the car I've sometimes had to leave bodies at the owner's home overnight just because of the impossibility of manhandling a 50 kg dog single handed. Travelling between branches is the main problem as it's usually miles. But it's usually the distance/train links between my house and the practice that's the limiting factor rather than being a vet.

Hope things go well and things settle down - it must be a really scary time - but sounds from other posts on here that epilepsy and vetting are definitely compatible!

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 12:44:06 GMT

I guess all that Lycra does funny things to people. What a touchy lot.

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Simon Neuhoff — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 09:44:00 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]

[quote user="Rob Davis"]Don't rise to the bait! Michael knows exactly which buttons to push to raise certain people's pulse rates, and I'm quite sure he's chuckling contendedly at his keyboard right now![/quote]

I am actually - because I was SUPPORTIVE of the poor lass using a bike for transport, and suggested that when she needed to shift a dead dog she got a colleague to do so!

You're a funny lot.

(although if I was thin skinned being called a 'moron' and a 'bigot' could offend some people)

((I don't read the Daily Mail - must clear that up))

[/quote]

Oh I see - you were using the word "contempt" in a NICE way. Silly me.

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Anonymous — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 22:05:01 GMT

[quote user="An On MRCVS"]Thanks everyone and I wish I was braver like Chris- maybe with time.[/quote]

Thanks but to be honest at the time i was terrified

. Knowing a bit about the potential causes and the possible consequences on my job was very hard to deal with. I was lucky as it was a single fit and i have been fine since but it was still very hard on me and more importantly on my wife for 6 months or so.

at the time I did change and became difficult to live with. My wife had to deal with me mbeing like that but it was all due to worry. The job side was difficult to deal with but in hind sight it didnt really make a huge difference just a pain travelling to and from work for a while (I hate buses at the best of times) but then again I worked as a small animal vet at a single site so I had it easy.

Like others, I know some of how you are feeling, I was lucky in that I had the support of my wife and family close by and even then it was tough at the time. You need to talk to your boss(es) and expect them to be supportive (they should be, and I hope to think most good employers would be), you also need the support of friends and family which help a huge amount.

I can look back on it as a blip and hope it doesnt happen again (which it probably wont) and it sounds easy to shrug it off but as I said at the time I was terrified. take one step at a time and hopefully it will be a one off like me.

As i said I was getting over a (nasty man flu) cold and just started a holiday finished a long hill walk and was dehydrated and run down(.I'm not that unfit - really) I had a fit in the car but luckily I asked my wife to drive as I felt a bit odd and a few miles down the road I had a seizure. she had to deal with me twitching and so on, and thought i had pegged it at one point! It must have been pretty horrible for her to deal with (even though she is a vet ). 6 hour wait in bangor general hospital (feeling really odd) for a check over then had an mri eeg bloods etc all normal. I left hospital after 36 hours and went home to then see my local neuro docs as an outpatient and had a few more consults and all was found to be normal. they feel I probably passed out in the car and as I was in a sitting position I had no blood going north and seizured as a result but even so I had to treat things as though I was epileptic and stop driving. at the end of the 6 months all was fine and I went back to normal, I just look back on it as a bad dream now 3 years later.

Not had any problems since but like you at the time it was very worrying. dont look at the long term just get the investigation out of the way and trust the docs.I hope it all goes well.

regards

chris

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Michael Woodhouse — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 21:56:22 GMT

I am actually - because I was SUPPORTIVE of the poor lass using a bike for transport, and suggested that when she needed to shift a dead dog she got a colleague to do so!

You're a funny lot.

(although if I was thin skinned being called a 'moron' and a 'bigot' could offend some people)

((I don't read the Daily Mail - must clear that up))

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Martin Atkinson — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 20:04:35 GMT

[quote user="Rajat"] just wonder enviously why I chose to drive that morning when I could have been pedaling hard listening to music and getting to work energetic and with the endorphins flowing [/quote] For one reason or another I've driven in most days this week and have felt exactly the same, felt quite guilty and been missing the early morning buzz of contentment. But I'm not so sure about the music though - I want all my wits about me to alert me of the presence of idiotic motorists!

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Rajat — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:23:55 GMT

I'm a novice cyclist (about 1 year) and been driving for much longer. I find I am much more considerate of cyclists now that I know what it is like being on 2 thin wheels being passed within centimeters by speeding angry drivers. I think there is some merit in having new drivers take a cycling course on the roads so we all know what it feels like to have cars whizzing by!

Prior to getting back onto 2 wheels I never resented cyclists, but was annoyed sometimes at the slow speed. Now when I pass them, I just wonder enviously why I chose to drive that morning when I could have been pedaling hard listening to music and getting to work energetic and with the endorphins flowing

Re: Losing licence and being a vet- possible?

Simon Neuhoff — Fri, 16 Nov 2012 19:17:35 GMT

[quote user="Rob Davis"]

[quote user="Martin Atkinson"]

[quote user="Simon Neuhoff"]

Like you Martin I get exposed to bigotry and aggression on the roads on a regular basis - whilst behaving in a perfectly law abiding fashion. To find similar narrow minded morons amongst my own profession is a bitter shock to me.

[/quote] I know and what these idiots seem to forget is that we also drive cars and meet cyclists on the road but we appreciate and are sympathetic to their needs. I feel sure the anti-cyclist brigade have never ridden a bike or they wouldn't respond as they do but being a cyclist has made me a better driver. A cycling proficiency test should be part of the driving test as should an anger management course for some it seems. Still this thread has been hijacked enough by this topic, If Michael is brave enough to start another one about it we can continue there.

[/quote]

Don't rise to the bait! Michael knows exactly which buttons to push to raise certain people's pulse rates, and I'm quite sure he's chuckling contendedly at his keyboard right now!

[/quote]

If that is in fact true then he is a small-minded man deserving of pity.