Patient testimonial: Lisa L.

"Before my injury, I enjoyed going to football games, and I enjoyed swimming, playing racket ball, and taking long walks across the Evergreen Point bridge. While at work on October 15, 2002, I got into a car accident. I sustained neck, back, hip, and ankle injuries. After physical therapy, a neck fusion, more physical therapy, a myelogram and a MRI, I asked my attending physician what else we could do (because nothing had worked for me). I was looking to make a change in my life. My doctor called UBC, and here I am.

When I arrived at UBC, I could hardly walk or bend, and had a sitting tolerance of less than ten minutes. In addition, my pain rating was 8-9 (out of 10). Once I entered this program, my goal was to get strong mentally and physically. As I progressed in UBC’s program, I could feel my body going through changes; I was finally exercising parts of my body that had been underused since the accident. Gradually, I rebuilt my body and I forgot about the pain. Ultimately, though, I feel that the main factor in my success is my will-power.

Being in UBC’s program has been a wonderful experience. The staff didn’t look down on me because I’m injured. Here at UBC, the staff opened their arms to me and made me feel like I’m somebody. Another great thing about my time here was the friendship I forged with fellow client Maria. Each day we’d challenge each other like teammates do. I’m so thankful I met her in the program. I believe that we were sent to UBC for each other.

The classes at UBC were educational and applicable. I learned what affected my pain, and I became more knowledgeable overall in terms of managing my chronic pain. Now I know what to do when I experience flare-up. Also, the occupational therapy classes in which we learned proper body mechanics were important. We learned specific techniques so that we don’t exacerbate an existing injury or cause a new one. Before UBC, I hadn’t been taught how to prevent injury. Now I know.

Since the accident two years ago, I had been through weeks and weeks of physical therapy, but it wasn’t until I experienced UBC’s physical therapy that I realized the problem. Previous PT revolved around a single exercise, coupled with massage therapy. However, UBC’s PT program – which included aerobics, weight-training, long walks, exercise with a physio-ball, and aquatic therapy – enabled me to manage my pain through activity, rather than with drugs or remaining sedentary. UBC’s method is empowering, self-directed. No one else can manage my pain; it’s up to me. And now I have the tools to do just that. Why doesn’t Labor & Industries, instead of sending patients to physical therapy again and again, send their chronic pain patients directly to UBC? For me personally, a lot of time was wasted with all my acute PT.

Today I graduate from the program, and I’m back to being the person I was before the car accident. Regarding my ability to handle my chronic pain, I rate myself today at 100%. I feel optimistic. I’m healthier mentally and physically and now I can get back to enjoying life. Everything UBC does is just right on target."