Patient testimonial: David G.

"UBC’s program was the hardest concentration of mental and physical work I’ve ever done. It’s amazing what I accomplished. I’ve made more improvement than I could have imagined. I want to publicize my story because I would like others to know what my experience has been. I hope my story inspires people. Also, it’s important for me to remember my own story.

For past twenty years, I have run every type of construction equipment imaginable. I love my job. My career took me to job sites in Korea, Japan, and Russia, to mention a few. However, in September of 2005 I was injured on the job. Although I had strongly suggested that my employer replace the dull teeth on the excavator, he didn’t. Thus, I was forced to work with faulty equipment. Suffice it to say, the 40,000 pounds of pressure exerted by the machine’s vibration (as its claw pounded the ground with teeth not sharp enough to penetrate) caused great injury to my body. My back went into full spasm. Namely, all the disks in my thoracic spine became herniated.

After the injury, when I was stranded at home, I lost all drive for life. I couldn’t sit for more than 15 minutes at a time, so my preferred position was supine. I couldn’t participate in activities that I love: boat racing, scuba diving, and hanging out with my family. I watched more television than I care to admit. The winter of 2005-2006 was the first winter in 36 years that I hadn’t skied.

During the next 18 months, I tried physical therapy, massage therapy, cortisone injections, chiropractic, and acupuncture to help me deal with my pain and my immobility. I tried everything but surgery, although that too was presented to me as an option. I declined. Each treatment helped a bit, but I wasn’t yet functional. The “last ditch effort” (said my doctor, claims manager, and vocational counselor) was enrolling in the UBC pain management program. I had been signed up to be pensioned, but I wanted more from life. I didn’t want to take the easy way out. I was 44 years old after all, and I wasn’t ready for a pension. I came to UBC voluntarily.

Every move I made hurt. But now my quality of life is a whole lot better. I appreciated UBC giving a sound overview of the full pain program in the first few days of orientation. UBC’s interdisciplinary approach is excellent; it’s been really positive for me. Consequently, after twelve sessions of acupuncture prior to UBC, I feel like my body was geared up for the endurance necessary to succeed in UBC’s physical therapy program.

I’m not 100% back to where I was before the injury, but I can see how well I’ve progressed. For example, before I came to UBC I could only tolerate a two-block walk. In February of 2006 we took our daughter to Disneyland for her 12th birthday. Because of the injury, I was forced to get around the park in a mobility scooter. It was a humbling experience. Now I’m up to two miles! A few days ago my daughter spent the day with me at UBC. The PT department took us out for a two mile walk. I did it. It was a major hurdle, and it was especially nice to have my daughter on that walk with me.

I have hope for a new career. My plan is to train to be a TIG welder. Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG) welding produces a precise weld, which is perfect for exotic (thin) metals. I’ve worked with Unlimited Hydro team racing model boats. I’ve also worked for Budweiser for two years with a master welder and fabricator. I’m a detail-oriented person, so TIG welding is perfect for me. My family feels like they have the whole me back. I’m preparing to do my boat racing again. Scuba diving should be OK for me to do. However, I’m not quite ready for skiing. Perhaps next winter.

On January 17th I’ll graduate from UBC, get an OK from my AP to recommend a vocational training program, and if the State approves vocational training, I’ll begin the welding certificate course at Lake Washington Vocational TechnicalCollege. I’ve already had a few face-to-face conversations with the instructor who says that if I prove my commitment to the field he’ll find me a good job.

Dr. Sinclair, the staff physician, taught me so much about human anatomy. Although I don’t take opioids, it was interesting to learn about them. Dr. Sinclair was never condescending; it felt like we were students in medical school. I appreciated that he never talked down to me. The same with Dr. Harris – he treats people like human beings. Dr. Harris has helped so many light bulbs go off in my head. I had wanted to see a psychologist, but until the UBC program, psychological services weren’t being covered by my insurance. He really helped me to realize my potential. Additionally, Nancy and Carol in PT have encouraged me so much. Jean’s[staff nurse] support has been great. Suzanne, the vocational counselor, was the one who saw that I could do more beyond settling for a pension, even though at the time of my pain evaluation at UBC, my activity level was deemed sub-sedentary.

I became a loner during my convalescence, but now I have a desire to be with people. Throughout this ordeal I’ve found out who my true friends are. Everyone’s amazed at how I’ve progressed. The other clients at UBC support each other – that’s the coolest thing! I shared my experience with the new guys, which seemd to prompt the new guys sharing their ideas and stories.

I can’t believe how well I’ve done. I’ve been willing to listen, try new things, and take risks. Some days I’m painful, but with flare-up management and talking to clinicians, I get through it. It was a great education. Also, I learned not to be afraid of re-injury. There’s the fear of aggravating the old injury or causing a new one.

I’ve heard this quote before – it’s becoming a cliché – but it’s how I feel: UBC has given me my life back. It’s a different life than my pre-injury life, a life I didn’t know was possible for me. If it weren’t for the encouragement from staff who have the ability to look outside the box, all this wouldn’t have been possible for me. I was stuck.

I believe that UBC is a good social program in that UBC helps people get back into society. I had planned to retire at age 55, so when this injury happened and they told me that I wouldn’t be returning to my job of injury, I couldn’t fathom doing anything else. But now I’ve found my new niche. It feels like divine intervention. I believe that things in your life happen for a reason. My accident was a blessing in disguise.

Today, my attitude is 100% better than before I entered the program. I know now that my life dreams can be accomplished. I have learned to deal with the pain much better than I ever thought possible. Dr. Harris helped me to see myself more clearly. Really, the encouragement from all the staff helped me to get over many hurdles. Subsequently, my self-esteem has shot up. I hope my story will encourage other people to see what’s possible for their lives."