OK, there is actually something good that came from all of this:
As I am now considered disabled in Germany, it comes with benefits
- 5 extra days of paid vacation, which puts me at 35 days per year instead of 30.
- it is virtually impossible to terminate my employment, as I am protected by German law (I'd have to do something really grave, i.e. theft or physical abuse (hit my boss)). Also can not lower my salary or take away my company car
- tax benefits
- insurance benefits / lower premiums
- lower automobile tax (yes, in Germany there is an annual tax on the car you drive)
- virtually free public transportation
- retirement at an earlier age (normally 63 in Germany)
And to answer the question before somebody asks - NO, I DID NOT DO THIS just to get all these benefits! LOL
I didn't find out all of this until I was told after my surgery.
\D
