Serious illness can be a double whammy - there's the suffering that comes from the disease, itself, and the ramifications it holds for life's other aspects.

Officer John Laufer of Monroeville police is feeling the effects of his multiple sclerosis on both fronts.

Diagnosed in June 2003, the 35-year-old is a father of six children who range in age from 7 months to 13 years.

"I'm feeling pretty decent," he said. "The disease will eventually get worse, but that might not be for another 20 years. I could be in remission for a long time and I'm not going to let it get me down."

That optimism extends to other areas of Laufer's life.

Laufer is in an employment dispute with the municipality. He feels that, based on the advice of his physician, Dr. Anton Munirji of Monroeville, he is well enough to return to work.

His doctor has released him to "full police duty with no restrictions as long as it's nothing too high-stress or exhaustive," according to Laufer.

"He just doesn't want me overdoing it."

But going back to work hasn't been that easy. Laufer has faced a series of roadblocks that have prevented him from returning to the force. That has left him not working, with no insurance, no disability and no clear idea of what may happen.

It's particularly frustrating, he said, because he knows Monroeville is advertising for officers and could use the manpower. Laufer has been on the force for 16 1/2 years.

The situation is complicated because there are so many parties involved: Laufer, the police department, the municipality, the police union, Laufer's insurance company and the doctors.

And within those groups are further complications. For instance, just within the municipality is manager Marshall Bond, Mayor James Lomeo and council - and that's counting the police department as a separate entity.

Laufer wants to return to work and doesn't think that's an unreasonable request. He cites the situations of other municipal employees over the years who have been given modified jobs based on medical conditions, such as a now-retired officer whose colostomy bag prevented him from regular duty, so he was put in charge of vehicle maintenance, and another officer with epilepsy who became the force's scheduling clerk.

"I'm not looking for a handout, but surely they could find something for me to do," Laufer said. "I'm just an average Joe with some endurance issues and they don't want anything to do with it."

For the most part, the municipality isn't talking.

Bond cited the case as a personnel matter and thus not one he should make public remarks about.

"I just don't think it's appropriate to discuss someone's private medical information publicly."

Bond said he was "amazed" that Laufer chose to go public with the case, but admitted it was an "unfortunate situation."

Police Chief George Polnar also cited confidentiality issues for his "no comment."

Even Lomeo, typically open about governmental matters, agreed it should be confidential.

There are a few clues, though, as to what is being said behind closed doors.

Lt. Dave Palermo of the police department has been aware of the case and has knowledge of how the union is handling it. He said the union is "trying to resolve this in the best interest of the officer."

Councilwoman Carol McDevitt said the private discussions haven't led to agreement.

"There has been a lot of debate and mixed feelings about what should happen," she said, though she declined to discuss specifics.

McDevitt, who has known Laufer since he was a child, said she loves him like family and "would love to see it resolved real soon."

Laufer contends that:

Polnar has said he doesn't have any say in what should happen.

Council is afraid of giving him his job back because doing so would open council up to lawsuits from former employees whose cases have been settled.

Council wanted a second medical opinion and the reports of Dr. Pamela Gianni, a Greensburg doctor hired to examine Laufer, were made without considering the two latest reports from Munirji, which showed improvement.

Gianni canceled a second examination of Laufer because she had been threatened with legal action by municipal management if she saw him again.

His insurance is frozen because the company is getting conflicting information from Laufer's doctor and his employer.

He was given two options: to become an unpaid, inactive employee, which would allow him to retain his health care coverage, or to apply for disability and lose all health-care coverage until he turns 55. Laufer applied for disability, which, if accepted, would change his status to that of a severed employee with no hope of returning.

"It's a real jam," Laufer said.

"If they're going to make me leave, I want the benefits I'm entitled to or at least let me retire."

He also thinks he could remain an asset to the force.

"I've got a lot of time in with this town," he said. "I could be a useful training resource if nothing else - much more so than somebody brand new coming in."

And despite the legal wrangling, Laufer said, he's not bitter. He called Lomeo "very understanding" and said McDevitt has treated him "like family."

Laufer's wife, Colleen, a former school bus driver, no longer works because taking care of the couple's 7-month-old and running the household would be too much for Laufer to handle alone. They're living on an individual retirement account that Laufer cashed in, which he said will "get us by for a few months."

That may be long enough. One person who asked not to be identified but knew of the case, said the matter is expected to be resolved soon, though it is unknown exactly when or on what terms.

In the meantime, Laufer remains confident.

"I am up against the wall, but I know there will be light at the end of the tunnel and that, in the end, I'll be OK."