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Winnipegger Courtney Pratt was nearly bedridden after a horrific back injury from playing competitive soccer two years ago and today she is pain-free, all thanks to doctors, prayer, and faith.
Pratt, the mother of two young boys, has enjoyed playing competitive soccer for years, including into adulthood. Two years ago while she was playing, she had an accident.
"February 2023, I was playing co-ed soccer at the University of Winnipeg," says Pratt. "I ended up running full tilt down the field and slipped on the ball, oddly enough. I had never done that in my life. I landed on my back. I got up right away and tried to shake it off. Within a week I was having unbelievable spasms all the way down my left leg and around my hips."
Without knowing what was wrong, Pratt decided to try simple things at first like going to the chiropractor, massage therapist, and acupuncturist. The chiropractor mentioned he thought Pratt had a herniated disc so that is when she went to the doctor in Winnipeg.
"I got the CT results and they said that I had a disc herniation in my L5 and my S1 and with possible root pressure through my S1 nerve root which I knew right away was an issue because it was unrelenting pain. So then they started me on a bunch of different types of drugs such as Lyrica, Baclofen, and Oxycontin. This is coming from a woman who doesn't even have Tylenol in her home."
At this time Pratt's boys were two and four years old. Other than working, Pratt was basically bedridden, hoping for a surgical appointment or something to relieve the intense, ongoing pain.
"From somebody who's been healthy, active, and fit all of her life to then be faced with that and to be on a waitlist for a consultation for what turned out to be an 18 month period of time. I still do not have a consultation appointment with our neurosurgeon department here [in Manitoba]."
Frustrated to the point of action and in constant prayer, Pratt sought medical help elsewhere. She recalled that her private wealth manager had a brother in Phoenix, AZ, who owned Verve Surgical Centre. The owner, David Warkentin, employs a neurosurgeon, Dr.Abdulhamid. After being told by doctors in Winnipeg that she would have to wait another 18 months just for a consultation, not even a surgery date, she asked Warkentin to look at her scans for a second opinion.
"He took a look at it, called me within two minutes and said, 'Courtney, this is really bad and if you don't get this dealt with, this could lead to paraspinal atrophy. You could be in a wheelchair for the rest of your life. I remember just crying."
Within three weeks, Pratt had flown down to Phoenix with her parents, had the minimally invasive spinal surgery, and was walking around pain-free. The moments leading up to the surgery and following were filled with 'God-moments' and answered prayers. To hear the whole story, watch the video interview above.
"I have no pain. I can sleep through the night without being beside myself. So I think if you're struggling right now, my biggest piece of advice would just be to give it to God and let him work that miracle for you. And don't lose hope or faith in the middle of the struggle that you're in. It's only a season and the sun always rises every morning."
