Retirement questions...

RE: Retirement questions...

listhestar — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 22:36:11 GMT

Hi Julian

As long as you're happy with some pressure? My Dad does better without any pressure. That said each brain injury is different.

I assume you've had some counselling to try and make sense of what you've come through?

Have a Google about passive income streams? Offer bsava as a mentor for new vets. Contacr arlo and offer mentorship through vetsurgeon.org. My 2 older bosses were so important to me and although they're no longer my boss they're now friends.

Have you thought about LinkedInas lots of networking there? What about a telemedicine role?

Regards

Lisa

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 22:23:19 GMT

Thanks listhestar,

Yes that is a much simpler way of describing matters! Feeling at a loss on most days, especially now when socialising is taboo! In 2020 my racing season lasted about one month in July in local club events with my wife being the only person allowed to be near. Having broken my arm on 29th August, when Ithink I blacked out due to the head injury and fell inside the house, that has also been an issue. I cannot cycle outdoors at all until the fracture is healed I and the cast removed. should find out this coming Friday.I have one or two contacts at universities so could investigate that ption. It does put more pressure on me to keep up to date though does it not? But thanks, something to consider. Of course, making my two books compulsory reading for prospective graduates might be helpful? Bizarre things with which we have to deal? Just a thought!!

Thanks again. Watch this space?

RE: Retirement questions...

listhestar — Mon, 02 Nov 2020 22:02:43 GMT

Hi Julian

Sorry to hear of this. Brain injury can be such a devil to deal with. My dad was at a loss of what to do when he lost his license due to brain damage having always driven big kit as a job.

Could you teach at a local college or uni? Imparting some knowledge but without too much pressure?

By the sounds of it you done very well in your recovery but having gone through that fight you're left with "well what now". You can self publish books online relatively easily?

Good luck

Lisa

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 20:36:27 GMT

Hello Mike,

Wow Mike that is a very, very kind reply. Sorry to hear of your misfortune so I can only hope that you get through the trial as well as is possible! It did take me at least two years to accept that I was not a " real vet" anymore, at least not in my mind and to this day, when out and about, being driven by my wife I have to tell myself, No, I am NOT on call, do not worry about it! Those days are gone! I said to my wife just this evening that writing my books was great fun as part of my convalescence with the strange and amusing memories, but more importantly in a way, it represented closure for me on my career, recollecting the things that I have done over the years. I still try to maintain CPD to keep my brain active by following subjects of particular interest and like vetsurgeon.org for the wide variety of topics we discuss.. .I should not need Samaritans whilst I have such a supportive community here to visit! Thank you to everyone for that!

Thank you again Mike for your kind words, I am not sure I deserve them! 'Bye for now...

RE: Retirement questions...

Mike Dale — Fri, 02 Oct 2020 18:17:12 GMT

Hi Julian I am sorry to learn both of your accident and your current mental challenge.

Others have spoken of your writing and after dinner speaking and you seem to have a firm grip on those skills. However I think I understand that you miss the hands- and brains- on veterinary work. I relate to that in a far less dramatic way. I planned to work until at least 70 (last month) but in February was felled by covid and forced to retire immmediately. The per-acute isolation from colleagues, patients and clients hit me surprisingly hard and coupled with an interminable wrangle with one of my pension providers and another domestic crisis I found the black dog pretty quickly. I have an amazingly supportive wife and she, together with minimal help from a counsellor, directed me to the reality that life actually is rich in shit that happens unexpectedly and quite mercilessly. The thing is not to take it personally (the world does not owe us a living) and to look hard for the positive skills and qualities that we have individually to move forward. For me that has been to help mentor younger graduates in need of either clinical or pastoral support at all hours of the day. You can do this remotely. In addition after 45 years in general practice I now have time to do more things within my immediate community and you don't look far to find people in greater need than yourself. Lockdown is unhelpful but there are still ways to support for example very elderly such as offering vet advice to worried folk short of cash along the lines of "do I need to call my vet or not?" Or just being someone to talk to.

You have demonstrated phenomenal powers of determination, application and courage. Those are the skills to carry forward to share with other people. you are only 63 {Really? :-) }. Use the next 20 years to share those skills and personal discoveries and accept that your sheep wrestling days belong to your earlier life.

Don't fold now - you are just getting going! I wish you every luck in the future.

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 22:26:05 GMT

[quote userid="11308" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29349/retirement-questions/225438#225438"]Could you do any advisory work with VDS at all?[/quote]

Thanks Anthony, that is another good idea. As before do I approach them or just watch out for adverts? I'll have a look at their website for ideas.

Thank you again.

RE: Retirement questions...

Bob Russell — Tue, 22 Sep 2020 14:43:37 GMT

Having spent only a few days at home self isolating with the other half, I have massive sympathy for anyone that retires!!

A big part of me is horrified by the directions the profession is being pushed in by those just interested in money! That part of me would seriously consider leaving the profession to its own self-destructive devices, then I am forced to stay at home for a few days!!!!!

RE: Retirement questions...

Kate Richardson — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 09:04:36 GMT

Hi Julian, would it be worth contacting all the large animal departments at the vet schools to see if they have any research projects/phd studies you could assist with from home via the internet? Might involve collating/sorting data/double checking numbers (I clearly haven’t done a phd or been involved in research so this might be a nonsense idea!)

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 18:58:53 GMT

Hello Groovejet. Thank you for those suggestions. I do indeed have passions. For example I have long supported [ 20 years at a rough guess]. The Sebakwe Black Rhino Trust aiming to conserve the species in South Africa and run by John Gripper MRCVS who is based in Oxford. It started simply by watching a series of edifying but appalling programmes about the slaughter of Black Rhinos in South Africa and elsewhere. I met John and have visited his place in Oxfordshire. My annual subscription is only a small amount to help the Conservancy succeed. I could contact him to see hat I can offer. Other than giving my Cows In Trees Talk with donations to the charity, I am unsure how much I can really offer.

It is a very good idea however so I'll follow this up! I have been a lifelong member of WWF, ever since the Panda Club for kids in Leeds so that could be described as a passion as well?

If you are in Louth, I live at Oxcombe near Cadwell Park so it would be nice to meet up one day perhaps, lockdown permitting?

Thank you again.

RE: Retirement questions...

Miriam Lodewyks — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 16:45:54 GMT

Hi Julian, you don’t know me but I was working in Louth at the time you suffered your accident, which really shocked all your colleagues. I’ve followed your recovery on this forum and am always interested in your thoughts, I suspect we’d have a lot in common.

I founded a little charity a few years ago (Animal Saviours) which gives me a lot of satisfaction. Initially I planned to use the funds to help pay for veterinary treatment where people couldn’t afford it. It became apparent quite quickly that it’s not possible to tell the difference between owners who cannot afford a vet bill and an owner who just doesn’t want to pay the bill. So we gradually morphed into a charity that supports other charitable organisations like hedgehog, swan and pony rescues, and we even support a rhino orphanage in South Africa.
It’s really not hard to do, and now we’re up and running it takes minimal management on a day to day basis (I’m still working full time!)...

Perhaps there’s a cause you’re passionate about? And maybe there’s a way to help that cause?

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Fri, 18 Sep 2020 10:06:48 GMT

[quote userid="7269" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29349/retirement-questions/225460#225460"]Do you have any local agricultural colleges that you could approach? I’m sure your sheep experience should be valuable to the students, even talking about best handling practices etc I’m sure would be so useful. [/quote]

Thank you Joyce, for that interesting suggestion. Yes we have an agricultural college at Riseholme in Lincoln. There are practical difficulties now in that I cannot drive any more plus have difficulty standing for any length of time due to my impaired balance. I will think on this but being officially retired I do not think that I am up to taking on a new career in that way? Occasional talks on relevant subjects might be possible though. I'll try to contact them about opportunities.

Thank you again. Good food for thought.

RE: Retirement questions...

Joyce Whitehead — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 14:01:38 GMT

Do you have any local agricultural colleges that you could approach? I’m sure your sheep experience should be valuable to the students, even talking about best handling practices etc I’m sure would be so useful.

RE: Retirement questions...

Julie Innes — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 12:43:57 GMT

You are a real inspiration, Julian!

I've no great ideas for you, but when I retire I plan to go to Costa Rica and work somehow with sloths.

I haven't yet told my husband...

Good luck finding something to challenge you!

RE: Retirement questions...

Neil Wheadon — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 11:27:36 GMT

[quote userid="3094" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29349/retirement-questions/225450#225450"]An interesting idea Anthony but I cannot cope with ay stress/pressure at the moment so would be cautious depending upon what is or might be involved. Do I approach them or they approach me? Thank you, I shall give it some thought.[/quote]

They advertise every so often for Veterinary Advisors and it's pretty competitive

Neil

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Wed, 16 Sep 2020 09:55:29 GMT

[quote userid="11308" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29349/retirement-questions/225438#225438"]d you do any advisory work with VDS at all?[/quote]

An interesting idea Anthony but I cannot cope with ay stress/pressure at the moment so would be cautious depending upon what is or might be involved. Do I approach them or they approach me? Thank you, I shall give it some thought.

Thank you . Best wishes... Julian.

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 17:13:52 GMT

Hello Catherine, No I would be delighted to do some more speaking. My presentation is entitled "Cows In Trees and Other Stories..." Describing how a well-trained, well-educated professional, yep that really is me, has been attacked, chased, fallen over, been embarrassed and puzzled by his patients, and I can guarantee laughter!

Usually followed by assorted Qs and As about specifics plus nowadays about my cycling competitions as a para-cyclist! So if this seems appropriate, please let me know Catherine...

Thanks for asking!

RE: Retirement questions...

Anthony Dennison — Tue, 15 Sep 2020 16:23:10 GMT

Could you do any advisory work with VDS at all?

RE: Retirement questions...

Catherine Hemingway — Sun, 13 Sep 2020 14:20:08 GMT

Hi Julian. Do you mind if I PM you about potentially doing some speaking? Catherine

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 12:26:46 GMT

[quote userid="8958" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29349/retirement-questions/225377#225377"]

he Cycle Touring Club has changed, altered to Cycling UK and this has left a huge hole to accommodate touring cyclists. There is an awful lot of information out there but little stuff that is proper information. If you are good with computers and mapping software (or willing to learn) you could create a fantastic resource. It would also bring you in touch with a lot of people with a similar interest.

I do this with the tours and my social circle revolves about helping and offering holidays.

Maybe something to consider? Willing to collaborate

[/quote]

Wow, Neil, tank you that is a wonderful suggestion. My early cycling "career" started with CTC adventures. I toured in North Wales in 1978, then Scotland in 1979, followed y the Picos de Europa in Spain in 1980 and 1981, and Corsica in 1983. Most of my enthusiasm was built by those holidays and the people that I encountered. If you want to send me your e-mail address I can forward an article that they[ the CTC] featured concerning my trauma? In the meantime, their website version is here:

:https://www.cyclinguk.org/news/20160324-julian-earl

Of interest perhaps I hope?

RE: Retirement questions...

Laura Kidd — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 12:01:46 GMT

Hello,

I don't think I can add anything to the superb guidance of others. This is the most moving post and I just want to send you ( and others who are struggling) my very best wishes.

From what I have read the way you have dealt and are dealing with what has happened is amazing.

For various reasons, I fell into a part-time teaching role and derive vast pleasure and satisfaction from that and also mentoring/ supporting student vets, student nurses and new grads if anything like that was an option.

Laura

RE: Retirement questions...

Neil Wheadon — Fri, 11 Sep 2020 11:03:17 GMT

[quote userid="3094" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29349/retirement-questions"]I have to be brave enough to accept that I need help because I do not want to go on for the next , what, 20? 30? years feeling fed up like this. I am appealing to friends and colleagues on here for ideas on how you might have coped with disruptions in life? The key word being life! In that despite Gerry's warning to my ever-loving wife and family, I did not die from my injuries as first expected so now need to find a path through this.[/quote]

The Cycle Touring Club has changed, altered to Cycling UK and this has left a huge hole to accommodate touring cyclists. There is an awful lot of information out there but little stuff that is proper information. If you are good with computers and mapping software (or willing to learn) you could create a fantastic resource. It would also bring you in touch with a lot of people with a similar interest.

I do this with the tours and my social circle revolves about helping and offering holidays.

Maybe something to consider? Willing to collaborate

Neil

RE: Retirement questions...

jd2008 — Thu, 10 Sep 2020 02:54:41 GMT

Julian, I can only echo what Jill and Iain have said but also add something which, I hope, might be of some practical use.

This resonated with me. My situation is similar though perhaps not as dramatic as your accident! Rather than a sudden, catastrophic change to physical health I have experienced an relentless decline over the past 8 years with a rapid acceleration in the past 2. Nonetheless, the feelings you express are familiar. I am still working, though no longer in a clinical role, but have recently had to cut my hours due to illness. Having had a Calvinistic work ethic beaten into me from a young age, it was hard not to see this as some sort of failure.

Like you I used to enjoy a body that was able to achieve high levels of physical performance but nowadays it's hard not to feel trapped in a body that struggles to function even on a basic level. Simply remaining upright for any period of time is impossible some days.

I've felt angry, hugely depressed, resentful, frustrated and hopeless many, many times and, like you, find it hard to bear the thought of decades more of this. What has helped beyond measure has been appropriate professional help in the form of a psychologist. It's not a magic cure; those feelings resurface from time to time but working with a psychologist has helped me defuse from those emotions when they arise and live a fulfilling, satisfying life despite my physical limitations. Apologies if this is starting to sound like a saccharine Facebook meme!

The psychology profession inexplicably gets a bad rap and I've seen a real reluctance within our profession to engage with the real experts when it comes to mental health. Perhaps there is a belief that those who seek their help are weak or inherently flawed? Who knows, it's nonsense anyway and shouldn't be allowed to stop those in need seeking appropriate help.

I'd strongly recommend finding a psychologist who practises ACT (acceptance and commitment therapy). If that's too big a leap right now, read The Happiness Trap by Russ Harris (one of the few 'self-help' style psychology books worth the paper they're written on - most are garbage, this is most certainly not). Harris also offers an 8 week online programme if you do want to explore this on your own, rather than with a psychologist at this stage (The Happiness Trap). His programme and books are held in highest regard by psychologists worldwide and many practitioners will use his videos and handouts with their clients.

ACT work can also help you identify a set of core values which I think will really help in finding ways to fill the 'gaps' that retirement has left.

I hope this is of some help, if only to know that others have experienced similar. I commend your honesty and humble courage in speaking up. Not easy to do in a profession of over-achievers!

Go well,

Jane

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 16:59:41 GMT

Well thank you Iain, that is very kind of you. I now have something to live up to!

My by-line below was specifically chosen to help me cope with the after--effects of headbutting the road at 30-35mph [ according to my hospital records! That speed seems accurate for a big bunch of riders in a road-race, down a gentle gradient on the last lap when things tend to be lively! I, perhaps obviously cannot remember the crash itself! But at least I waited until we were on the straight bit again! Just after the sharp left corner a few hundred metres before, and do remember thinking. I hope no-one goes down on this bumpy corner, it could be like a stack of dominoes with 80+ riders around! But in fact I waited until a few hundred metres further on , until the straight bit after the corner. Even the professionals go down after touching wheels so I am allowed to as well!

Thanks again.

RE: Retirement questions...

Iain Richards — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 15:09:32 GMT

The Sheep Vet Sco meetings would be a sad place without you Julian, you lawys have some thing to say that is worth listenting to.

RE: Retirement questions...

Julian Earl — Wed, 09 Sep 2020 13:20:28 GMT

[quote userid="8858" url="~/001/nonclinical/f/life-in-practice-discussions/29349/retirement-questions/225338#225338"] love reading motivational and self help memoirs, Covid aside, is there a spot for you doing 'after dinner' type presentations for local BVA meetings when they resume?[/quote]

|Thank you very much Jill,

Have you not seen/read my books, written during my convalescence? Cows In Trees, being the first, and "The Dog with the Head Transplant" as the sequel.

When home after discharge, Annika my wife found the notes that I used for a presentation given to Women's Institutes and Young Farmer's Clubs about 40-50 times in the 1990s. She suggested writing them down as a manuscript which I did ad the books are the result, first published in 2016. I did not write them expecting to make a living etc. it was just useful convalescence as I recollected the bizarre, unusual and amusing incidents from my career. I am not too proud to admit that I laughed at my own memories as I wrote them! I sent a copy of Cows in Trees to my wonderful ex-boss from Burnley, David Greenhalgh, saying thank you or being so kind and supportive when I was till an inexperienced new graduate. David telephoned to say thanks he had enjoyed it a lot had laughed; but then added, "Oh Julian, you forgot this one!" He reminded of the dog giving the second book the title! Both titles are explained in the respective books. In short if people wish to now how a well-trained, well-educated professional [ and that is me, really it is!] , has been attacked, chased, fallen over, been embarrassed and puzzled by his patients then read about it in the books!

Largely because of these I do now give the updated talk entitled Cows In Trees and Other Stories to further groups including WIs, a local Parkinson's Disease Group in Louth near here, my own cycling club after our Annual Dinner, to Lincoln Rheumatoid Arthritis Association [ being a victim of that as well.], and back in Lancashire to former work-colleagues and clients, to a local Community Association in my area of birth in Leeds, seeing school- and family-friends some of who I had not seen for 30-40years! Probably the Most special tough was to the Headway Group in London; Headway being the charity for survivors of head injuries. my uncle is involved with them in Wanstead and that was very, very well-received by a large audience! The nearest that I have to an occupation is, either a para-cyclist, or else a raconteur for meetings and to assorted groups. I can happily and confidently boast that people always laugh a lot. In fact, in the 30 years of telling these tales it is always the same line that gets the biggest laugh, every single time without fail! I do have to pause and take a breath when I know such a line is coming! It is not the done thing to start laughing at my own tales in public I think?

If anyone [ RCVS? BVA?]needs a speaker I am very happy to oblige, anywhere, at minimal cost ten or twenty pounds for travel usually. My real reward is sthe atisfaction in meeting people and seeing crowds laugh out loud at my mishaps!

Thank you again Jill.