A 31-year-old US engineer has ignited an online discussion after revealing the devastating impact years of physically demanding factory work have had on his health. The engineer, residing in rural Indiana, claims his factory job permanently damaged his body, leaving him unable to continue manual labor and struggling to access the specialized medical care he urgently needs.
According to his Reddit post, moving to another state is crucial for his health, but it remains financially out of reach. He expressed profound fear that staying in his current location could “cost me my life” due to the inability to relocate or secure a remote position.
The Physical Toll of Factory Work
Before his factory role, the engineer had worked as a product manager in software for two years. He then transitioned to a quality control (QC) engineer position in auto manufacturing, a role he held for two years. During this time, he described manually processing “6-12 tons” of stamped steel parts weekly, involving hours of lifting heavy components and constant bending.
He stated that this work “destroyed my knees and hips,” rendering him unable to perform physical labor anymore. This limitation severely restricts his employment options in rural Indiana, where most available jobs are manual.
Struggling for Specialist Healthcare
Beyond the physical injuries, the engineer also disclosed a history of health issues, including three open-heart surgeries before his QC job. He holds multiple degrees from Purdue University but missed networking opportunities due to two major surgeries during college.
His inability to access specialist healthcare locally is a critical concern. He recounted a recent cardiac emergency where doctors at a university emergency room allegedly did not consult a cardiologist despite his rare connective tissue disorder. He claims he “had to basically treat myself” and now travels to Chicago for cardiology appointments.
A Desperate Search for Remote Work
The engineer’s primary goal is to find a well-paying remote job that would enable him to move to another state, such as neighboring Illinois, where he could access the necessary medical specialists. He is “desperately trying to get a decent paying remote job,” but local opportunities are primarily physically demanding roles he can no longer perform.
Reflecting on his career path, he noted that graduating during the COVID-19 pandemic made it challenging to establish a software career, leading him to manufacturing. However, this move came at a heavy cost, as the job “destroys my body” and is “no longer an option either.” He concluded his post by stating he is “genuinely terrified” and “just trying to survive,” garnering widespread support and advice from other users.