5.11.2008

Incidentally

I failed my lift test again.

Now, let me explain something really quickly. This is not because I'm a weakling slacker. I went to the gym every day for at least half an hour. I did dead-lifts, bicep curls, leg presses, sit-ups, push-ups, etc. I worked myself into a little frenzy over this, and it paid off.

I lifted 120 pounds and walked 15 feet with it like it was no big shake.
I did 5 bicep curls at 40 pounds in the amount of time it took me to do one the week before.

So what failed me, then?

My damned left hand. Grip strength did not go up, nor did it go down. It remained a steady 65 psi. I used my dad's grip strengthener every day. Apparently it takes something like 3-6 weeks to increase grip strength because you're trying to build small muscles in the hands which take longer than, say, the biceps.

So I didn't get hired. I got my TDAP vaccine, my PPD skin test, a drug test, and two two-hour round-trips for a whole lot of nothing (save a learning experience).

Was I discouraged? Yes. Was I defeated? No. Tomorrow I get an application from a different transport company, and I start over.

I know I have what it takes to do this job, and I'm determined to prove it to the rest of the world.

So, now I'm going to put away my "I can succeed" soap box and start rereading Peter Canning's Paramedic to pump myself up. I can, after all, since school is over.

Yours,
Sam

6 comments:

Medic13 said...

So I've never heard of anyone ever doing a grip test. The only thing you really use the left grip for is pulling teh gurney release handle, and even that is only like 40lbs or something like that. Even the lift test at my company is only lifting and carrying 125lbs alone or 250lbs on a backboard with a partner. Oh well, it's thier loss. Hope you find a better job and keep writing!

Anonymous said...

Sorry to hear it Sam, but everything does happen for a reason, whether we can see it at the time or not.

Chin up and keep looking...

A grip strength test doesn't make much sense to me either.

Chris said...

Sam

Hard luck, but we all know - you will pass eventually.

Good luck with the next one, this one doesn't know what it's missing out on!

.. said...

Too bad for them. Hang in there Sam. As my grandma says - time will fix anything.

*I also think the grip test is BS. If they wanted you to be able to squish someone's head with your hands all you have to do is back up and align your index and thumb and squish away!

Anonymous said...

Aw Sam, just continue to push on. Eventually, you will get it...what exactly, I am not sure...but, if you continue to work at it, if you continue to focus in on what you choose to do, you will get it. Blessed Be.

tracy said...

i'm sorry Sam