In 2007 I had an accident which resulted in a severe back injury. This left me so debilitated and in so much pain, I had to take a year out from university in order to recover. I eventually went back to my studies, but had to continue to take high doses of medication, to manage the pain. But, this spring, I got the chance to enroll on the 8-week Mindfulness Course, which has transformed my life.
It helped me to develop awareness of my whole body, and through this awareness, I was better able to cope with the pain. It taught me to not ignore the pain, but by accepting its presence, it caused less of an impact on my thoughts, feelings and actions. I began to have a different relationship to my pain, to view it in a new way. It also helped me to improve my posture.
At the end of the course, I have, for the first time, felt able to come off my pain medication and instead replaced them with the simple meditation practices/techniques I’ve learnt, which are easily adaptable to everyday life.
Oh, and I completed my degree and got a FIRST!
Find out more about learning mindfulness…
