Anegla’s Story

I am a client of Cowley & Company. Mr. Cowley has asked me to write my story because he thinks it may help some of you out there to know that you are not alone.

My name is Angela. I am a stay at home mom to two toddlers. My husband works long hours and our deal is that it is my responsibility to take care of the kids and the house which means grocery shopping, house cleaning and yard work. Believe me, I am not complaining. I know that I have a great deal.

Two years ago, I was rear ended. There wasn’t much damage to the car. I had a lot of back pain but I wasn’t worried. Everybody – the doctor, the chiropractor, my husband, the ICBC adjustor – said that I would get better soon. Weeks turned into months and two years have passed and my low back is still a huge problem. The doctor calls it chronic pain. I call it the Black Plague.

I have given up on treatment a year ago. I tried everything, including chiropractic care, physiotherapy, massage and acupuncture. I usually felt better after the treatment but it didn’t last.

What do I do now for my back?

– I max out on over the counter Advil and Extra Strength Tylenol, every day – nothing from the doctor. I know what it’s doing to my guts but I have no choice.
– I do a 15-minute back stretching routine based on yoga that Kevin, the active rehab guy at IRC taught me. I do it at least three times a day, more on bad days
– I do the physical work I have to do in small chunks of time throughout my day- I absolutely avoid heavy lifting and avoid stuff that I know will make the pain worse. I don’t scrub the kitchen floors by hand like I used to do. I do not pick up my kids. I have my husband clean the bathroom tub.

My life is OK. I manage. But I am lucky. My husband is amazing and gets it. I know not all of you are so lucky.

But when I think of what the ICBC adjustor said when I told her the pain wasn’t going away, I want to hit something. This is before I hired Cowley & Company. The adjustor actually said that my injuries were only soft tissue, that everybody gets better from soft tissue, that it was all in my head and that, if I settled my ICBC claim, my back would be fine. What a load of B.S.! It makes me mad just thinking about it. I don’t know how these ICBC adjustors sleep at night.

I hope my story has provided some inspiration as you go through your own healing process. Good luck and God bless and know you’re not alone.

Angela