The invisible toll of trauma

My name is Frances Greenidge, and my life changed drastically in 2009. I was on a winter hike when I slipped and fell 30 feet down a steep incline. Just 18 months later, I was in a car accident caused by a distracted driver. These back-to-back incidents left me with both a traumatic brain injury and a spinal cord injury. I spent my 50s living with chronic pain, limited mobility, and cognitive difficulties. It felt like a decade lost and a terrible nightmare.

But as debilitating as the physical injuries were, the emotional and mental toll was even harder. The thing about trauma is that your physical recovery is only part of the battle. Trauma is more than broken bones or scars; it’s a complete shift in how you experience the world. Despite countless visits to doctors, the message I often received was, “You don’t have visible injuries, so we’re not sure how to help.” The isolation that created was immense.  

Then, everything changed when I met Dr. Shree Bhalerao, a Clinical Psychiatrist at St. Michael’s. He recognized that my recovery needed more than just a physical diagnosis. He saw that I needed support beyond medicine—a way to connect with others who understood the challenges of trauma recovery.

That’s when he introduced me to My BeST, a program at St. Michael’s that stands for Beyond Surviving to Thriving. My BeST connects trauma survivors like me with a community where we can share, heal, and rebuild our lives together. It wasn’t just about sitting in a room and talking. We shared experiences, learned from each other, received advice from experts and enjoyed simple pleasures like potluck meals. Being with others who understood my journey brought me back to a place where I felt heard and understood.

Trauma survivors know that physical recovery is only part of the process. The psychological wounds can be just as deep, and they need attention too. My BeST was instrumental in helping me work through those invisible scars, giving me the tools and support I needed to reclaim my life.

Today, I can confidently say that My BeST brought me back to my best. Thanks to Dr. Bhalerao and St. Michael’s Hospital, I’ve not only survived—I’ve found a path to thrive. I’ve regained my sense of self, my connection to others, and the ability to move forward with hope.

Without this program, I wouldn’t be where I am today, and I am forever grateful for the opportunity it gave me.