First post on Substack. ACC is a scam. substack.com/@thisduckhasad…

After 18+ months of pain, medical referrals, and battling ACC, I’m speaking up. Slipped Rib Syndrome (SRS) isn’t rare—it's just rarely diagnosed. And in NZ, it’s rarely recognised by ACC. Here's my story. ⬇️

In Nov 2022, I felt a snap in my side while working in Auckland. Sharp pain, nausea, limited movement. I pushed through it. Eventually, it became clear something was seriously wrong.

Despite multiple GP visits, misdiagnoses, and worsening symptoms, it took 16 months to get a cardiothoracic referral. The verdict? Slipped Rib Syndrome. My ribs had detached and now pinch nerves daily.

ACC denied my claim because it wasn’t lodged within 12 months. But I was seeking help. I was misdiagnosed, dismissed, and misunderstood—partly due to my autism, which made communicating pain harder.

Even after diagnosis, ACC refused surgery. They said a “minor incident” couldn’t cause it. But hypermobility (which I have) makes injuries like mine more likely, even from something as simple as a turn.

I’m a parent to five neurodivergent kids. I’ve lost my ability to work, to study, to enjoy life. Pain dominates everything now. But ACC says it’s not enough.

SRS symptoms: – Clicking ribs – Intense chest/back pain – Difficulty breathing, moving, even laughing – Misdiagnosed as costochondritis or muscle strain

There is a solution: the Hansen technique. It’s available in NZ. It’s quick and effective. But I can’t afford private surgery. And public waitlists could take years.

Others in NZ are in this same boat. SRS sufferers denied care, forced to crowdfund, ignored by ACC. This isn’t rare—it’s just under-recognised.

Slipped Rib Syndrome may not sound serious. But for me—and many others—it’s life-altering. It deserves recognition. It deserves funding. It deserves help. Please share. Let’s get SRS taken seriously. #SlippedRibSyndrome #ChronicPain #ACC #NZhealthcare

You can read the full debacle here: thisduckhasadhd.substack.com/p/this-duck-ha…

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