Patient testimonial: Cynthia G.

I miss working.  I have been out of work for 1 ½ years after my on-the-job injury.  I had been through many physical therapy sessions, as well as had numerous injections.  I figured that UBC was my last-ditch effort.

After I was accepted to the UBC program, I was dreading the time commitment because it was like working again, and I didn’t know if I was physically up for it.  I thought to myself, “This is the end of the road.  I’ll never have the life I did before the injury.”  But even from evaluation day, seeing the receptionist’s face, she was professional and friendly, things improved drastically from there.  When I entered the UBC program, they already had my medical records in house and from those they created a program tailored to my specific injury.  UBC covers it all, from depression to anxiety.  UBC is the Wal-Mart of getting-better.

People who don’t know any better think the pain is all in our heads.  It’s frustrating when others don’t get what you’re going through.  It’s a lonely feeling.  I was isolating myself, staying at home – it was my safety zone.  But it’s not healthy being home all the time.  You can’t remain a recluse when you’re at UBC.  They don’t let you, which is a good thing.  For me, even taking the bus to UBC was a social event.

I had an excellent group.  The other guys were a positive influence.  Seeing the improvements of the other clients was inspiring.  I’m going to miss those guys.  I’m going to miss being here.  I’ve never been around such a positive staff.  Very professional.  They seem to be there for you.

Talking to Dr. Harris [UBC psychologist] reminded me of my favorite teacher, my fifth grade teacher.  It was a relief to talk to him.  I was really bad about turning things into catastrophes.  Dr. Harris taught us the negative effect of self-talk.  He taught me to recognize this.  My homework was to write in a journal and to make tangible, in writing, my many worries.  He would read my journal and highlight all the negative points.  Then I could see for myself.  The tools I learned here have even helped the way my husband and I communicate. 

The classes were also amazing, especially Dr. Sinclair’s medical classes.  So interesting.  It made me want to get back in the medical field.  I may not be able to get back to being a medical assistant, but perhaps medical reception.  If I could I would work at UBC.

Jean [UBC nurse] taught me that strength is mine, it’s within me.  Things aren’t going to beat you, because you have the tools and knowledge to stop that cycle.  I learned to relax!  I’ve never been able to do that.  My anxiety was so high.  Even now when my back spasms, I don’t take pain medication.  I stop, focus, breathe, and think, “What would the Dali Lama do?”

I’ve lost weight, I sit straighter, and I listen to my body now.  My fit test today showed such a marked improvement from my second day here.  It’s great to actually see on paper how much I’ve improved.  Also, my blood pressure had decreased, and my goal is to go off the blood pressure medication prescribed to me. 

This has been the best experience ever!  Even though my future is uncertain, I’m not afraid.  It’s such an incredible program, and I was willing to take advantage of all the instruction.  I really do feel empowered, UBC has given me the tools to do that.  I never realized this was within me all along.  Even my parents said to me, “You sound so much happier.”

There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.  If you get the opportunity to come here, do it.  L&I should send people here before it’s too late.  I would highly recommend this place.  I feel so lucky and fortunate to have had this opportunity.