I hate reading stories like your co-worker - it makes me want to obsess on all the animals being mistreated... but I know that solves nothing and I can't go there. I have to do what I can to help any animal I can and focus on the positive like you and all the other people that help! Thank you SO MUCH for getting him out of that situation!! Tiels are great birds so if you decide to keep him I think you will be very happy with the decision. But whether you keep him or find him a great new home, that fact that you took him out of that situation and took him to the vet is just fabulous! 
I think about the ones that don't make it either. I really wasn't planning on another bird, we're just starting out, but there was no way I'd let him stay where he was. I think he will end up with us, my girlfriend is already getting attached to him and I think I'd be too worried he'd end up in another bad home. The worst part is I get to see his former owner at work sometimes and fight the urge to throttle her for treating him this way. Now to go make sure Piper knows she's still my girl before she ends up deciding to remind me by flinging her pellets out of the cage in a tantrum. XD
