Justin's allies!!

The sarcastic overtones in your last post (ie: "Aren't you better trained," and, "Aren't they beating down your door", and your "what planet do you practice on" statement that "All Podiatrists are wealthy", clearly indicate that you are either ;

a) not a podiatrist
b) a first year podiatry student (we'll forgive you)
c) born with a silver spoon
d) or simply downright naive or worse yet suffering from a learning disability

And, what is your definition of wealthy? Running a business that is solvent and provides a good living for you? What if that business stopped operating for one reason or another and your income dried up? How many months would you be able to continue servicing your debts and paying your expenses of daily living? Do you now have assets that would enable you and your family to continue living the life-style that you now live, and accomplish all the goals you have set for the future on the strength of the assets you have already acquired, without ever having to work again? If you do, then you are truly wealthy. I seriously doubt it, unless letter (c) above applies to your personal circumstances.

It sounds like Justin is unfortunate in that he has established his life and practice in a less than optimal geographic location with repsect to the climate in the medical community. I suppose that's his fault too, right? Oh, and for all those who are saying, just move somewhere else and start all over again, remember, there are multiple life defining factors that must go into the decision to pick up and start one's life over again elsewhere. It's never that easy. Should I hang in there a little while longer and continue to beat this dead horse? Or, should I pick my family up and gamble we'll do better elsewhere? How will I afford to keep my practice alive during the start-up phase? Will my kids be unhappy so far from their extended family members? Compound those factors with having no money, possibly poor credit, no borrowing power, large debt structure, and possibly half of your working years already spent on getting you where you now are, and the prospects for the future can look very bleak at best.

Those of you who constantly bash the so-called "Doom and Gloomers" have a strong argument because remaining positive is the only way to achieve positive results in life. But let me tell you, even the most innately positive person can be broken down eventually when all one's hopes and dreams disappear and you wake up in your thirties or fourties realizing that it's all been for naught. At 29 years old, I found myself in $450,000 of debt, piloting a solo practice which went belly up in it's second year in 1994. I was truly on the proverbial "balls of my a--!" I tried living in my office on a cot because I could not afford an apartment, until I was thrown out due to zoning laws. I fought the IRS, the OIG, the Department of Justice, the Department of Education, the Podiatry school I graduated from, the county I practiced shut me down and liened me due to inability to pay impact fees, I was sued by a bank who got a judgement against me that I still owe and has doubled, I was in a lawsuit with the previous owner of my business, denied membership in the state association just "because," my car was repo'd, I was excluded from medicare and other federal programs, my name printed in the local paper and on the local network news as a "Dead-Beat Doc", posted on the DHHS website, and just about ruined before it was all over. I still have never owned a home, and may never be able to do so, have poor credit, and struggle to find gas money or haircut money. Try to remain positive through all that, and then you've earned the right to cast stones at another who is having difficulties.

Why not try throwing someone a line instead of slings and arrows? What that really be so hard? Are you big enough to comprehend what I am saying, or has your "rosey little life" not taught you enough lessons yet? Trust me, it will. Just like the stock market, a correction is coming!!! It always does, no matter who you are. It would be interesting to observe your level of sarcasm and positivity at that time.

I have still not "re-made" myself in this profession, but everyday I try. My life has been severely damaged because of this reality, which I accept complete responsibiltiy for. And though I am a positive person by nature, there have been many days when remaining positive, has been the biggest challenge of all, and some of those days I have failed.

So before you cast stones at another, ask yourself, how would I respond in this person's shoes/situation? If you have not experienced the same or similar circumstances, leave the sarcasm on the shelf, and try to find it in yourself to offer something constructive to another. And, if you cannot find it in yourself to function at that level, then keep your useless commentary to yourself. It doesn't help anyone! It is non-productive, and only exposes you to still be a sophomore in life.

Have a nice day!