Take Courage Coaching

In the summer of 2005, a violent rollover accident in the remote Big Hole Valley of Montana resulted in a spinal cord injury that almost took my life--twice. First, I fought to stay alive. As I recovered from the injuries, a second battle threatened to rob me of life—the excruciating and unbearable burn of central nerve pain. I'd developed an inoperable C-4 syrinx. Neither medications nor narcotics touched the pain. I felt hopelessly trapped by my body. Only my faith afforded courage sufficient to seek solutions. Referral to a pain clinic gave me education and strategies for pain management. I returned home with the support of routine coaching by telephone. Both the intense on-site training and remote-service coaching pushed me past the frustration and fear of suffering and the limitations of modern medicine. Now, despite my chronic pain, I am effectively managing it. Following the transforming experience of learning to manage my pain, I envisioned making tele-care services available to thousands of patients who live hopelessly with chronic pain. I founded Take Courage Coaching to make that dream come true. Working collaboratively with pain clinics and physicians, TCC teaches and reinforces healthy pain management behaviors. With this support, patients gain motivation for long-term success and improving functionality, rather than being obsessed with the elimination of pain. -Rebecca Curtis, ACC