Gareth's story: from car accident to fitness trainer

Gareth Klein, 44, from County Down, was in a car accident in 2015 suffering injuries to his legs, hips and back which 18 months later, led to a diagnosis of osteoarthritis caused by trauma. Initially losing his health, his job and his sense of identity, Gareth says Arthritis UK provided the tools and support to rebuild, the opportunity to volunteer and the inspiration for a new career as a fitness trainer for people with chronic conditions, like arthritis.

Arthritis diagnosis affected mental health

In 2015 I was in a car accident that left me in a wheelchair for about a year, unable to put any weight on my feet and back. I recovered but not fully and about 18 months after the accident I was getting pain in my foot and knees so I went to the GP who sent me for a scan that diagnosed osteoarthritis because of the injuries I’d suffered.

I’d thought I would recover so finding out I had chronic arthritis was hard. At the time I was trying to return to work as an engineer, had a young family to support, and knowing I couldn’t go back to the business I’d built up was devastating.

I’d believed I’d get back to a modicum of normality so when, 18 months down the line and still in pain, they told me this was probably as good as it was going to get, that made it hard to stay positive. My mental health was massively affected because, at that point, I felt there was nothing I could do and that was frustrating. The pain brings a lot of fatigue so it takes more effort to do the things other people take for granted like exercise and family life and work.

Taking, then teaching, the Arthritis UK pain management course

They sent me for CBT then referred me for the pain clinic but said it would probably be five years before they’d be able to see me so I went back to the GP who told me about an Arthritis UK pain clinic in Belfast which was brilliant. There was emotional support but so much practical advice, a toolbox to help with a lot of the things I was struggling with.

The course taught us about distraction which can get you through short periods of pain or low mood, and longer term distractions like organising positive things for the future. It also teaches you about planning and pacing your life, making sure you leave yourself enough energy for the things you have to and want to do, recognising when you are getting fatigued and resting.

After I did the course I became a hub volunteer for Arthritis UK, going out with a stall to advertise their services, and my confidence and self-worth grew through volunteering. I then did the self-management training so I could teach the pain management course myself and went on to train as a Chi Mi teacher. 

The biggest thing I got from the Arthritis UK pain management course was the importance of physical activity. It’s important to put time into doing specific rehabilitation exercises, even just 10 minutes a day to work on weaknesses or injuries. Exercise also releases endorphins and gives us a sense of achievement which boosts mental health too.

Arthritis led to a new and rewarding career

I’d always had an interest in sport and fitness and doing that physical activity work inspired me to do what I do now. I got my qualifications and am now self-employed teaching exercise classes for people with complex needs such as arthritis. I found a new career, a new identity.

My business, You’ve Still Got It, is about getting through to people with long term conditions that they don’t need to be afraid of physical activity. The main thing, for me, is helping people understand the difference between hurt and harm, if you have a complex condition exercise will hurt, but it won’t harm.

My classes are as low key or energetic as you want. I was in the position they are in, doing chair based or modified exercise, and I understand it’s an important step on the road that works. I find it rewarding to know I can make a difference to people’s physical health and, when that improves, so does mental health.

I love to see people progress, in some ways I love to see them move on go from seated classes with me to joining their local gym or doing more mainstream exercise which is great.

I’m still in pain day to day but I live a reasonably fit and healthy life. It’s important to take responsibility for your own health, the medical experts can’t always magically fix you, you have to do the work yourself, put time and effort into strengthening muscles and improving joint mobility.

But, gaps in care are a big problem, the NHS does provide fantastic services but those gaps can really cause you to regress physically and mentally. I waited months and months between initial care and physio, again waited for water therapy and then, when I’d finished with the fracture clinic, was looking at waiting years for pain management. Through Arthritis UK I learned how to teach a pain management course in less time than I would have had to wait to get on an NHS pain management course.