Without Pain
These past few months are the first time that I’ve gardened
and cooked without pain. It feels amazing.
When I eighteen years old, I was injured in a car accident
and despite medical care, didn’t heal properly.
After a decade of doctor visits, casts, injections,
exercises and surgeries--I gave up and accepted the pain as permanent.
But then, three years ago, late season blight hit my twenty six tomato plants in My Victory Garden. I
was devastated and even the grade school counselor walking by couldn’t console
me. I had to take a season off from growing tomatoes in my own garden, so I signed up for a
community garden plot at Haagen Park.
You see, my body had healed wrong after the accident and
over the years, layer upon layer of scar tissue had built over the original
injury until my body twisted and the scar tissue had hardened like body
armor. And it’s taken two years of
physical therapy, deep tissue massage, a PRP injection, exercise, and lots of ice
to heal. Through it all, Kelly and
Marlena have given me hope, encouragement, entertaining stories, and
laughter.
In August, I’m turning 40 years old and I’ve never felt
better. While my friends complain about
getting older, I feel like I have a strong new body and I’m moving into a new
era filled with possibilities. Even
running. Life is only getting better and
I no longer plan my day around my pain tolerance. I am free. And grateful.
Lifestyles Physical Therapy
916 SE Hawthorn Blvd.
(503) 235-3386