2nd OA and Chronic Low Back Pain Edition

The unknown of life after surgery. Every day, Ari Marken dives into the Pacific Ocean during his lunch break. He heads north towards the Santa Monica pier from lifeguard tower…

Advocating for alternative options. At the spry age of 67, Bob Boehler’s first priority is time with his grandchildren. He’s always been a family man, and his ability to remain…

Pain won’t stop her from setting goals. In her early 20s, Cyrynda Walker was always on the go. She worked for the president of Boston University, planning and attending high-profile…

Connecting patients and physicians for better outcomes. As a pipe-fitter for ship-building company BIW, Ernie Merritt often worked in tight spaces for long periods of time. Though he was just…

Invisible pain isn’t absent pain Karen Maudlin finds joy in being a wife and mother—as well as a hard-working employee. Balancing the responsibilities of raising a daughter and son, Lauren…

Sidelined by pain, she’s building a new life and discovering how to use her passion for good LaSheila Yates has spent her whole life fighting for others. A Louisiana native…

Putting faith into words. Linda Shaw had just given birth to her twins and was enjoying daily walks with them in the park when her knee pain began. Within a…

A former teacher finds purpose again helping others in pain. When Robert Joseph reflects on his life with severe chronic low back pain and the 29 surgeries he’s undergone, not…

A nurse who’s seen both sides of medicine—good and bad. Tessie Rockwell-Kitzmiller, 29, loved nursing—the constant challenge, the wide range of cases, the chance to care for patients at their…

Finding joy and purpose despite pain. Pain has been a part of Emi Kawase’s life since childhood. Her pain started with daily stomachaches that were followed by chronic headache, and…