I’ll never forget the date I fractured my knee. It was my birthday, 24th May. I was attempting a dance I’d seen on TikTok. I know, I know… not exactly the smartest birthday move! I fell badly, and the pain was immediate and intense. I ended up in A&E for most of the night, and after some scans, they confirmed I’d broken my knee. It was honestly a bit surreal.
They gave me a medical certificate on the spot, stating I was “fully unfit” for all work for eight weeks. I remember just staring at that and thinking, eight weeks? I’d only just started a new job as a receptionist. One I really liked, close to home, with a supportive team and real opportunities ahead. I felt sick thinking I might lose momentum or worse, the role over a silly accident.
Luckily, my mum has some experience with ACC claims and immediately asked, “Did you ask if you could do some other duties instead?” I hadn’t even thought that was an option. When we raised it, the hospital staff were sceptical at first, but after reviewing everything and taking Mum’s input on board, they agreed to change the certificate to say I was “fit for some duties,” with the clear condition of no standing, bending, or pressure on the knee. They also put me in a brace to keep my leg straight.
From there, I had a really good conversation with my bosses. I told them how important this job was to me, how I really wanted to stay involved, and they were amazing. They encouraged me to rest at home for the first week, which I did, but then they brought me back in with some thoughtful adjustments. They set me up at reception in a way that meant I could sit all day, stay comfortable with the brace, and completely avoid putting any weight on my leg.
It’s honestly been the best thing for my recovery, mentally and physically. I’m still getting 100% of my weekly wage which I wouldn’t have had on ACC and I’m not stuck at home going stir crazy. I’ve got people around me making sure I stick to my limitations, and I’m far less tempted to move around than when I was at home alone. In fact, my first follow-up scan showed that I had been putting weight on it during that first week even when I thought I wasn’t! Being at work has helped me do this properly.
I’m also just so relieved that I’ve stayed connected to the job. It’s been a positive experience during a pretty unlucky situation. I feel like I’m recovering, staying on track, and still moving forward – just with one leg in a brace!
Injured but keen to stay connected to work? We can help you make it happen — talk to us about Recovery at Work.
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