Patient testimonial: Anonymous

I’m a Metro bus driver, and I injured my back on the job.  I could barely stand up I hurt so much.  Numb legs and shooting pain up my back.  I had been sedentary almost six months prior to coming to UBC, and I could only walk roughly four blocks – just nine minutes – because the pain was too severe. 

UBC has changed my life.  I haven’t worked this hard since basic training in the Army.  I love exercise now!  I’ve just joined a gym two blocks from my house.  Because of all my UBC training, I go to my own gym now well informed.  I can’t get enough of the treadmill and Eagle machines.  I don’t particularly enjoy the mat workout, but I know it’s important to strengthen my core, so I’ll continue to do it.  Now that I’ve been exercising, my stamina is up, my energy level is up, and I sleep much better.  Currently, I can walk 1.6 miles without stopping.  Really, overall my outlook on life is better.  It’s all just awesome.

I’m really glad that I went here.  I had been on morphine sulfate for the pain, but UBC got me off it.  I was afraid to quit the pain medication, but I got tapered off and I feel great without it.  I guess my doctor didn’t realize how awesome this place is.  She’ll know now.

I don’t panic anymore when my back acts up.  I’ve come to the realization that I will always have chronic pain, but UBC has given me the skills to manage my pain.  I had flare-ups when I was in the treatment phrase, which was good in that I could utilize the resources at UBC to help me get through it and to learn how to manage future flare-ups on my own.

UBC worked us hard.  Both the occupational and physical therapists created a safe environment with gradual, paced exercises so that we didn’t injure ourselves or ache.  The start of the program was difficult, but my classmates and I encouraged each other.  What surprised me most about being at UBC was that I found people who were dealing with the same struggles that I was dealing with.  I thought I was alone, but here at UBC I was surrounded by others in the same boat:  We were all in pain, we were worried that we’d be permanently disabled, we were off work, and we were fearful that we’d lose our jobs.  My graduation is this Friday, and I kind of wish I didn’t have to go.  I was blessed with a great class.  Three people who already graduated are coming back to see me graduate.

I was freaked out about losing my job, but I don’t have to worry about that now.  The job requires that a person lift fifty pounds and be able to sit for two hours at a time.  I’ve far exceeded that at UBC.  I used the Vibrasym driving simulator quite a bit, which has helped to prepare me for the demands of the Metro job.  Metro will phase me in on the schedule, and I’ll begin by working a few hours here and there.

This past weekend I was all around Seattle doing errands, and then it occurred to me:  I was pain-free!  This place rocks!