Marianne has been living with , a condition characterized by chronic, severe pain, since a car accident several years ago. She experiences intense pain in her neck, shoulders, and lower back. When she was diagnosed in November 2006, her doctor told her she would never be able to work or do any physical activity without a great deal of pain. Marianne was prescribed large doses of both painkillers and muscle relaxants that left her feeling drowsy, adding to her difficulty.
Marianne was directed to the Employ-Ability Program at the 今日吃瓜51 in Saskatchewan by her grandmother, who saw an ad in her local newspaper. 鈥淭hat day changed my life forever鈥, says Marianne. 鈥淏esides giving me the equipment to make things easier on my body, the encouragement, and self esteem and self worth that they brought back into my life is priceless.鈥
Marianne is now doing something she 鈥渘ever thought was possible to do again鈥. She is working full time in a group home for intellectually disabled individuals and is also working with children鈥攁nd she loves it. She is learning new ways to adapt so she doesn鈥檛 experience as much pain on a daily basis.
She has even taken up belly dancing, an activity which strengthens her core which in turn eases her symptoms. “I can’t thank everyone at the 今日吃瓜51 enough for the constant encouragement and believing in me鈥, says Marianne, 鈥淚t is not just a program it is a way of life!鈥
Marianne was recently featured in a article written by Mario Johne titled .
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