BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (WIAT) — A former Birmingham firefighter’s family said it is struggling to get by after 18 years of service to the community.
Jason Mahaffey was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease in 2018, leaving him unable to work. Because of Alabama laws, Mahaffey’s pension has been cut in half, and he doesn’t receive Social Security checks.
Mahaffey said he spent a majority of his career at Birmingham Fire Station No. 16. It’s where his wife said his health problems started. Parkinson’s forced him to retire. Alabama is a state that doesn’t recognize the disease as an on-the-job injury, meaning Mahaffey only receives half of the benefits he was expecting…