The doctors said – “get used to the wheelchair.” And I thought to myself – “I don’t think so!”

Everyone has a story, everyone has had something major happen in their life, and faced with these challenges, we have two choices, accept or fight.  I chose to fight.

My two spinal surgeries were the result of 5 car accidents… and a bumpy little rickshaw ride that was literally the last straw for my already delicate back.

Within 3 weeks I was completely wheelchair bound, dependant on so many people for everything.

The cumulative  injuries were so bad that the doctors didn’t think I could be fixed in a way that would ever enable me to walk properly again.

One of the lower vertebrae in my lower back had broken, and moved up to the vertebrae above, and totally covered the nerve root, which meant I was in extreme pain, I could not stand or walk. This was, without doubt, the most painful time in my life.

Prior to all this, I had been teaching yoga for 4 years, our studio had people pouring in for classes and amidst all the pain, I had to figure out how I could possibly still conduct classes for my clients effectively and still keep our doors open.

I took control of this situation – I decided to fight.

• I taught from a wheelchair verbally, I could move my arms but nothing else
• I sought out clients who didn’t mind being my demonstration ‘models’ while I verbally taught what they were doing
• We found lots of laughter which is a great distraction AND releases endorphins
• I found acceptance that this is how things needed to be – for now.
• Meditation, the ONLY answer for me, when you have good mindset you have everything.

I cannot stress enough how the power of our minds have the ability to dictate the quality of our lives.  My meditation strengthened my mind, which in turn strengthened my body.

After surgery of Discectomy, the doctors were quite sure that things would not get better for me,  but again, my spirit would not hear of it.

While I listened to my body every day, I would make sure I was doing all the right things, to serve my mind and body. Slowly, slowly my body responded.  Eventually I could walk, and I could live an almost pain free life.  I did not require a wheelchair and I was more than ‘just fine’… but little did I know my spinal journey was not over.

In August 2019 I was living life normally, and one day I felt just the slightest ‘twinge’ in my lower back, so I went to the doctor to get checked out.

One scan revealed so much, one scan scared me more than any other. One phone call put my life on hold for another year.

Another surgery – this time to fuse my spine at L4/5/S1 – was required, but I had to wait 8 weeks for the right surgeon to be available.  The pain was intense, and the condition of my spine was precarious that I was under strict instructions not to move too much or the damage may be permanent …. So I was back in a chair teaching – not a wheel chair this time, just a normal chair, determined to keep going.

I now have 2 rods and 6 titanium screws that hold my spine in place, and I’m back in the yoga studio, fully functional.

I have come back from trauma so many times, I am a different person for it, but a better person and so fulfilled.  I tell everyone that you can overcome anything in your life with the right mindset.

During my down time I wrote a book and became a published author of FUSED and created a Back Pain Yoga Series.

Words by: Trudy Vains www.backpainyoga.com.au