I have always been a positive, active person who was able to do anything I set my mind to. I am an outdoorsy type of guy and I love living in Michigan.

After graduating from high school, I joined the Army National Guard and I’ve been in the National Guard for the past 14 years working as a mechanic, both stateside and overseas. I was deployed to Iraq from December 2004 to March 2006. I injured my back in Iraq and I had immediate back pain at the time of my injury. I later had a spinal fusion in September 2006 and I started a work hardening program in February 2007.

I was put on medical hold and then on active duty answering phones at the National Guard Armory. I took lots of medications and I had no improvement in my pain. I was basically inactive, restless and bored. The constant pain made me have problems with sleeping and I ended up feeling tired all the time. The pain and stress made it hard to concentrate and that was frustrating. I couldn’t be active like I was used to and I couldn’t play with my kids like I wanted to. I had a poor overall quality of life.

Eventually, my Army Nurse Case Manager sent me to University of Iowa Hospitals and Clinics for a one-day evaluation at the UI Spine Center. The spine team was great, and the information I learned during the evaluation gave me hope for improvement in my situation.

I entered spine rehab with the personal goal of getting as much of my life back as I could. I received great care from all of the staff at UI Spine Center. I had time to ask questions, get answers, and develop my personal home rehab program. I learned how I can safely become as physically active as possible and I learned practical ways to mentally manage my pain. With hard work I met my goal.

After completing the UI Spine Center rehab program, my life has improved, and I am now in a better mood. I’m stronger and more active. I sleep better. I know how to manage my pain and I take less than half of the medications I used to take.

I think there should be more programs like this one available to soldiers to help them deal with mental and physical problems after an injury. This program was a great help in getting me back in control of my life.