With PCM Behind Him, Jake Feels Supported Every Step of the Way

Jake and his wife Becky

My name is Jake, and I worked at the Rifle Creek Mine in Colorado from 1965 until it closed in 1972, just 10 miles from the town my family has called home for five generations. Mining runs deep in my family’s history; my grandfather also worked in the same mine until he passed away in 1941.

I started at Rifle Creek Mine as a miner’s helper, then entered the electrical apprenticeship program, ultimately completing my time there as a Master Electrician. I handled all electrical work required for underground operations, including new installations and equipment maintenance, and I also covered all electrical needs on the surface.

It made me proud to know that we were producing high-grade uranium—the highest grade on the Colorado Plateau—that would help protect our country. My hope was always that it would be used to support nuclear reactors.

I became a Professional Case Management (PCM) client in 2021, but I was first screened for my breathing issues back in 2019 through a clinic set up by a local Colorado hospital. At that time, I didn’t know that I could qualify for the benefits I receive today. Later, I contacted the U.S. Department of Labor and learned that I did qualify for benefits through the RECA and EEOICPA programs. Once I was approved, a good friend, who was already a PCM client, recommended the program to me. I then completed my full evaluation and officially became a client.

PCM has been incredibly supportive. They made sure I received the proper testing and encouraged my doctor to conduct a full workup to determine the cause of my breathing problems, especially given my family history of lung cancer from mining. Every nurse I’ve worked with has been amazing, and they attend all of my six-month doctor appointments with me. PCM also provides all the equipment I need to stay stable and maintain as normal a lifestyle as possible.

They even helped make my wife a full-time Relative Personal Care Attendant (RPCA), since she was already caring for me when my breathing issues began. Now, we’re able to spend more time together while receiving the support we need.

I recommend PCM to any of my friends who have worked in the mines and encourage them to at least get tested to see if they qualify. I tell them that PCM helped me get the testing I needed and guided me through the RECA and EEOICPA programs. I can’t imagine what my health would look like today without PCM’s support.