Sisters man launches new career after accident

For Jim Estigoy, his current line of work as a home inspector is more than just a career change. For the former carpenter, it's a new lease on life.

Estigoy nearly died one day two-and-a-half years ago when a blackpowder cannon he was firing in McKenzie Canyon exploded, sending rock shards into his eyes and shot through his hands and arms.

Estigoy had used a handful of dirt in place of wadding.

"Something sparked when the rocks went down there, and it shot six rocks through my left eye and three rocks through the right," he said.

Doctors saved his right eye and hope to salvage some vision in the left through a cornea and lens transplant. The damage to his hands left Estigoy unable to work his trade, despite bone and skin grafts that saved his left thumb.

"I was extremely lucky," he said. "By all means it should have killed me."

But being severely injured and disabled didn't seem too lucky at the time. With considerable help from his partner Rose Lehquet-Harris and her parents Mick and Pam Harris, along with Estigoy's mother and friends Glen Debreeze and Jim Johnson, Estigoy managed to get back on his feet.

The Sisters community rallied to his aid, donating funds for his recovery to a special bank account.

A home inspector who worked in the Sisters area encouraged him to look into the field, thinking his construction background would make him a natural.

Estigoy took some aptitude tests through the Central Oregon Intergovernmental Council's vocational rehabilitation program and, sure enough, "it was a perfect fit."

Amid 18 surgeries to repair his broken body, Estigoy set about building a new career, attending school through the American Institute of Inspectors to become certified as a home inspector. He also earned a general contractor's license.

There were some physical hurdles to clear.

"My reports are pretty extensive," Estigoy said. "There's a ton of writing involved."

But Estigoy's damaged hands don't let him type. So the vocational rehab program provided a computer program that does the work for him.

"I just talk to the computer. I never have to touch a key," he said.

The voice-activated program types at 90 words per minute with 98 percent accuracy.

Estigoy helps clients determine what they're getting themselves into before they purchase a new home.

"I tell you if you're making a good investment - or a not-so-good investment," he said. "I tell you what's wrong with your house; what needs fixing."

He's also certified to inspect for pests, mold and dry rot.

"I'm referred by Realtors mainly," he said. "Sometimes, on occasion, by a mortgage company. Right now, I'm trying to get my name out there."

While Estigoy certainly would rather not have gone through all he did in the wake of his accident, he is thrilled with his career path.

"I love it," he said. "It's absolutely the best fit in the world, I think."

Vocational rehabilitation was not an easy process. Like any government program, it took a long time to navigate, and there were lots of hoops to jump through. But Estigoy is grateful that the resource was there for him.

"I got through it, but it was very stressful," he allowed. "But now that it's over, it was all worth it."

To contact Estigoy call Pacific Crest Home Inspections at 815-2298.

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

• Email: editor@nuggetnews.com
• Phone: 5415499941