Sometimes it is difficult for me to believe that people can turn away and pretend that others don’t exist. That is exactly what the Legislature is doing with the changes suggested to workers compensation.

I was a firefighter for almost three decades. One morning, after working at a fire for 10 hours, I felt terrible. After three months of extensive testing, I was diagnosed with COPD and Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome. At that time, I had only 30 percent lung capacity left. It is not surprising given my profession.

I am proud to have been a firefighter and put my life on the line in order to protect the members of my community and assist other communities when they would call us to help them out.

In order to sustain my ability to breathe, I am on 13 different medications each and every day for the rest of my life, some of which I have to take twice daily. It is simply unthinkable to me that my workers compensation benefits might be taken away.

In my profession, I put my life on the line to help others. Now I am asking the Legislature to look at me the same way I looked at families in distress.

I would ask that legislators not walk away from the fire when people are in trouble, it is just not right.

If they do, I might as well say my farewell to everyone now.

Michael F. Bailey, Poland

Copy the Story Link