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by Maria_Stephanos from Dedham, MA

Last Post 3 days, 6 hours Ago


Dumb Bell
Jul 14, 2008 | 8:17 PM
Category: News
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Well, the internet will get you every time like an open microphone. Meet Boston firefighter Albert Arroyo.  If you don't know him, all you have to do, is Google his name and you'll see images of him competing a body building contest.  Here's the problem.  He's supposed to be out of work on disability, not pumping iron.

 

The 46 year old said he was suffering from a back injury after he fell on the job.  His doctor wrote him a note saying he should be granted accidental disability retirement because he is totally and permanently disabled.  I don't know about you, but I don't see much disability here.  And who is this doctor?  Maybe he did hurt his back, but DON'T get yourself photographed posing and posturing and looking extremely healthy when you claim, you're in such tough shape you can't even work.  Looks like your workouts are just fine.  Mr. Arroyo, put down the dumbbells and get back to work.  Or pick them up, and come clean.

Btw… missed yapping with you guys on the blogs.  I was on vacation and things got so busy but I'm back and would love to hear from you about this!

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Member Comments Total Comments: 64
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bostonfun44
Jul 14, 2008 | 8:51 PM

Welcome back Maria, we all missed you too. Hope you had a great vacation!

As far as this guy, its just amazing what some people will do. I shook my head in disbelief when I saw it. Did he ever once stop to think that maybe he would be seen doing this, and that was he was doing was wrong?? He obviously didn't seem to care. He should be ashamed of himself.
stealthkitty
Jul 14, 2008 | 9:10 PM

This man is a perfect example of why Disability is so hard to get for so many honest people that should be on it and cant get there because of cheatws like this
jovanone read my blog view my photos
Jul 14, 2008 | 9:20 PM

Maria,

Dumb Bell is hitting the nail right on the head. All I can say is stupid is as stupid does...What an idiot...

Welcome back glad you had a great vacation!!!
momryan read my blog
Jul 14, 2008 | 9:26 PM

Too many people get away with this disability thing. There are many that should have it and then there are the ones like this loser who takes and takes thinking he is deserving. He should pay back every cent that was given him and the doctor should also. Then that money can go into a fund for families of firefighters that have lost their loved one while on the job. Those people are far more derserving than this person who believes he is. He should be totally ashamed of himself and should not be let back on the force. Shame on you. There are far more derserving people out there and I know of several and not a single one of them would even think of taking disability pay. They would rather work for what they have, then take it from someonelse.
sammybelle
Jul 14, 2008 | 9:34 PM

When this story came on, I called my husband into the room to "get a load of this one"...he said he didn't even want to look; he's so sick and tired of these people stealing taxpayers' money. I agree; for every abuse like this that we do hear about, can you imagine how many others are going unreported? It really is sickening. And to Stealthkitty...I have yet to meet one person on disability who honestly ought to be on it...I know four people who are on it, and it amazes me the physical things they ARE able to do--EXCEPT WORK!!
Chip read my blog view my photos
Jul 14, 2008 | 9:34 PM

I remember "back in the day" when I got stuck on a roof when my chronic bad back went out during a fire....

Some of us work....most of us work.
shanniesdad
Jul 14, 2008 | 9:42 PM

The worse part is he, like the firefighter that got caught with drugs, are painting their department with the same brush. His doctor may have said it was an injury but didn't the city have a doctor for a 2nd opinion? Then, to get the pension, he'd need to be examined by three indep. doctors. I doubt he'd pass, but again, it is making all who have legit claims look bad.
Welcome Back Maria; hope your vacation was good!
JuneInMA read my blog view my photos
Jul 14, 2008 | 9:54 PM

Meanwhile, Maria, there are people who are truly injured, who are truly disabled and it's a serious hardship to work and they are having the worst luck getting ANY of these benefits. Class act, is what this guy is. Can you sense the sarcasm??
Ten44
Jul 14, 2008 | 9:58 PM

This guy is giving all Boston Firefighters a black eye ... and it comes at a time where they really don't need any more distractions.

As they strive to get a new contract through collective bargaining the union had a black eye, then a cut lip, and now they are limping to the table after taking a final shot to the stomach. The thing is there may be another sad story before the negotiations are done.

Yeah, the firefighters of Boston are not looking good here.
MsDoloD81
Jul 14, 2008 | 10:16 PM

OMG Maria...what is wrong with people these days??? Why lie Mr. Arroyo??? What is even funnier about this story is that dude seems to be cheesing on camera like he thinks being in the competition is going to make him a star!!

He is a straight KNUCKLEHEAD and should be embarrassed by his actions
Xantun read my blog view my photos
Jul 14, 2008 | 11:27 PM

sammybelle, I know a couple of people on disability who really should be on it. But, they had to fight to get on it.

And the Boston firefighters wonder why people are looking at them like they're jerks. Guys like this give the whole department a bad name. Just like he's giving disability a bad name.
tom1964 view my photos
Jul 14, 2008 | 11:40 PM

Him and his doctor should both be prosecuted for fraud. He should be fired not retired. But I'm sure the union will protect his dumb @ss.

Now a days that is about all unions are good for, protecting people like this.
ams5230
Jul 15, 2008 | 12:27 AM

when you go to dedham healh check out the spine center.
sirB read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 5:17 AM

No surprise here.

Even his stupidity doesn't shock me.

So much of that going on.
jovanone read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 6:04 AM

I can hardly wait to hear what he and his Attorney have to say about this. Something like this "Oh he has to exercise to keep his back from getting worse".
nomorehacks read my blog view my photos
Jul 15, 2008 | 6:13 AM

The biggest problem I have with disability pay is it is TAX FREE. This makes no sense. We have to pay taxes on unemployment thanks to pumpkinhead Ted. WHer is he on taxing disability? Oh Ya It's a union thing, the sacred cow of the useless democrats!
sirB read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 6:13 AM

jovanone,

Physical therapy, sure. Heavy bench pressing, heavy military presses, SQUATS!! No way!

I've had a back injury - again, NO WAY!

I can't wait to hear a defense, if any.
cfreemanpt
Jul 15, 2008 | 6:14 AM

As a physical therapist, when I first heard this story on the morning news, I was not surprised by the fact that this does happen. So, if I recommend that a client take up or resume bodybuilding as part of his plan of care, that's not an endorsement for abusing the system. What continues to amaze me is that those with legitimate or pending disability claims are tainted by this situation. If, indeed, the facts are he's out on total, permanent disability, the MD who signed those documents is culpable (to quote VB)....It's a shame that it will have more negative impact on those with legit claims. and Dougie, work on your form!
EarlyRiserHull
Jul 15, 2008 | 6:18 AM

Fire fighter should be terminated, Dr should lose his license to practics, Laywer should be
investigated , Fire union should have there contracts overhauled. The police and fire unions are to strong and this is just the tip of the ice berg. Every tax payer should carry a camera with.
legendkiller34 read my blog
Jul 15, 2008 | 6:35 AM

Maria,
Yeah WELCOME BACK, I MEAN WE BLOGGER'S MISSED YOU ON THE BOARD, I was even going so far as to check out other news stations,
thinking you jumped ship.
Great to see your back though.
Okay enough BUTTERING YOU UP, now back to
your blog, This guy is just someone who
is taking complete advantage of the system.
He saw a way out and he grabbed it.
However he wasn't thinking with his mind, of the bad reputation he would be causing, he was just thinking of himself.
We have people like that at my job, we say they have gone to see "DOCTOR SUMMER OFF"
The slightest twinge and oh my god "I'll be out indefinately"
The fire department should make an example of him, instead of just letting him keep collecting.
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Maria_Stephanos

I anchor the news on FOX25 at 5, 5:30,10:00 and 11:00 p.m.

Member Since: 2/13/2007


 

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