*The writer of this story has been deidentified, and their name has been changed, to protect their privacy. The story shared is not intended as a testimonial for Painless - but rather to offer hope to other people walking a similiar path.
Thomas
A hard-working boiler maker from up north, who's learning to adapt and overcome after a workplace injury, all while keeping his humour alive.
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Hi, I'm Thomas, a 45-year-old boiler maker, used to the rough and tumble of life up north. But last year a nasty workplace injury threw me for six, swapping my tools for a daunting path of rehab. My doc suggested a comprehensive physiotherapy program. I was a bit hesitant, but I'm not one to shy away from a challenge.
Walking into the care center, I immediately felt at home. These folks didn’t just want to tick boxes; they wanted to get to know the bloke behind the injury. This made a world of difference. It wasn't just about what happened to me; it was about me, my worries, and my goals for the future.
The rehab plan they came up with was well-rounded, a bit of everything - strength exercises, relaxation techniques, and some helpful education. They were all about helping me help myself. Starting the program was a step into uncharted territory, but I had a whole team backing me up, which made it a lot less daunting.
The physio was a top bloke. Every time I made a bit of progress, we'd celebrate it, no matter how small. It wasn't just about the big goals; it was about the small victories that got me there. And during the tough days? He was there, providing support and reminding me of the gains I'd made.
I won’t sugarcoat it; the journey was as rough at times. There were days when the pain seemed to get the better of me, days when progress felt slow. But I kept at it. I held on to those small victories, and each one gave me the strength to push through.
After a couple of months, I started to see some real change. The pain was getting less gnarly, I was moving better, and I started to feel like the old Tommy again. Reading about these improvements in the final report was a pat on the back, but the real victory was the glimmer of hope and the belief that I was getting back on track.
This experience has been a bit of a rollercoaster, but it's shown me a few things. A workplace injury doesn’t mean it's game over; it just means the rules of the game have changed. And with the right team by your side and a fair go attitude, you can get back to living life on your terms. In the end, I wasn't just a patient; I was the captain of my own recovery. And mate, that feels bloody good.
