Although I am incredibly grateful to have been given the 'green light' by one of Canada's premier spinal surgeons, the bureaucracy of the Canadian Health Care system and the 'wait-time' that accompanies my current predicament has made this detour of mine often appear to be endless... aside from the obvious physical limitations associated with my condition, watching myself deteriorate month after month has been incredibly draining on an emotional and mental front for me as well.

It is extremely difficult to maintain a healthy state of mind when the only escape from the pain is responsible for the distance that now exists between myself and the people I love. I am also incredibly embarrassed and ashamed of the fact that these are the same people who have had to witness a lot of the less than healthy and completely inappropriate behaviors that they have, but... I never intended to hurt anyone, I only intended to stop myself from hurting... and I am sorry.

I now know that the balance between medicating pain and creating it can be crossed so easily... and I am working on it.

Having said that, I am currently exploring alternative avenues of treatment and looking forward to forging my way back towards the man that I am capable of becoming. After an initial consultation at the Canadian Decompression and Pain Center in Kingston, Ontario. I felt that this was an approach I could not look past. I have only had two treatments but I am trying to stay optimistic and focused on the gains that can be made by completing this form of treatment. I will keep you posted in regards to my progress.

Here are a few pictures from my second visit to the CDPC in Kingston.

Chillin before the illin

Strapped-in.

The Rack.

January 5th I will be traveling to and staying in Los Angeles for a few days to be interviewed for a documentary about Evan (Once I was a Champion). As difficult as this will be, I am excited to be part of something so great. Please visit and support www.onceiwasachampion.com