Turning Trauma Into Purpose: Eline’s Injury, CRPS Diagnosis & Path To Being A Coach
Meet Eline, a somatic coach, and radiant soul living on the gorgeous island of Ibiza. After two serious accidents, and years navigating life with mobility aids, she’s not just surviving, she’s thriving AND helping others thrive too. From transforming her own journey of chronic illness through mind-to-body coaching to supporting others in theirs, she’s redefining what it means to heal, live, and feel again. We’re honoured to share her story, her wisdom, and the power she’s bringing to the chronic illness and disability community.
💥 When Life Changed
My first accident happened six years ago. It was an innocent fall with my fiancé whilst out on NYE which ended in a triple ankle fracture. I needed surgery, because of the complexity of this fracture, it didn’t seem like a big deal at the time, but things spiraled. I woke up in a terrifying amount of pain, constantly nauseous, fainting all the time. After years of not recovering and desperately trying to figure out what was wrong, I finally received the diagnosis: Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS). Just as I was coming to terms with that, I had a second accident while in a rehabilitation clinic and I broke eight bones in the same leg. That’s when I was also diagnosed with Functional Neurological Disorder (FND).
These days, I use a range of mobility aids depending on how I’m doing: a wheelchair, crutches, a stroller, and recently I’ve even started walking small distances unaided. I still live with pain and spasms, and mentally, it’s been tough with brain fog, memory issues, and lower energy levels have all played a role. But the good news? So much of it has improved.
🩼 My Experience with Mobility Aids
I lived with multiple chronic illnesses for 4.5 years, only using a basic transfer wheelchair provided from the hospital before I realised I could ask for a better one. That chair took me to NYC and up mountains in the Lake District (my poor friends pushed me through it all!) Looking back, I laugh, but it’s wild that no doctor or therapist told me there were other options. It wasn't until someone at a mobility shop gently told me I should probably upgrade my crutches. I had no idea there were better options out there! I was still using the standard hospital crutches. They were uncomfortable, slippery, and boring. I wanted something that felt like me again. Something joyful. Something I could match to my personality. That’s when I found Cool Crutches, and everything changed. My Vintage pair aren't just beautiful, they are functional. They are fun, the top cuff swings back (so I can wear oversized jumpers again!), they’re silent (no more clicking), and most importantly - I don't slip anymore!
🌿 Choosing a Different Path
After my second accident, my CRPS diagnosis and my FND diagnosis, I hit a wall. I had spent over three years doing 5–6 therapies a week. I just couldn’t face doing it all again. So, when I turned 30, I made the promise to myself that I'd find a retreat that worked for me, and I'd go. I found a somatic coach which is someone trained to help you listen to your body, understand what it’s trying to tell you, and build tools to heal, feel, and move forward, from the inside out. , and within two days of working with her, I felt like a completely new person. I had never experienced anything like it - it was the missing piece in my healing journey. A few months later, I returned with my partner, then again alone, and by the end of it I didn't want to leave. We moved from the Netherlands to Ibiza and I trained to become a somatic coach, and now I get to bring this magic into the world for others.
For me, coaching that reconnects you with your body means learning how to truly feel again without needing to understand or analyse. It’s about reconnecting with your body, even when it’s the source of so much pain. It’s nervous system retraining, trauma healing, and radical self-compassion. It really is life-changing.
🛠 3 Chronic Illness Essentials
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Mobility Aids – My wheelchair gives me freedom, my crutches give me independence, and my shower chair lets me wash independently. Zero shame - just tools that support my life.
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Soft Fabric Trousers – I still can’t handle denim or anything rough against my legs. Soft trousers are a non-negotiable!
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Our Car – For five years we didn’t have one, and I was totally reliant on others. Being able to drive myself again gave me such a huge boost in independence and confidence.
🧠 Looking After Your Mental Health
Living with chronic illness means knowing some days will be better than others. But something I continue to do is stay curious about life - that's what keeps me going. I love learning. At the moment I’m obsessed with astrology (I’m all about the moon and planets!), but I’ve also gone deep into nutrition. If you ever need supplement advice, I’m your girl 😂 Connection is huge for me too. Spending time with loved ones and being truly present, whether with them or myself, is grounding.
My advice to someone also living with a chronic condition, or recovering from an accident, is to find your people. Your tribe. Those you feel safe with and who understand you. If not in person, online - that's why I created The Spoonies Community. But, if you’re too low on energy to connect right now, that’s okay too. Start small. Begin by getting curious about your body and how it feels. The understanding could help you like it helped me.
💗 The Spoonies Community
Since discovering mind-to-body healing, I knew I had to share it. I now coach people through my business The Spoonies Community. I work mostly with people with chronic pain, illness, or disabilities, through 1:1 programs, both online and in person, that are totally tailored to them and through the community where we come together twice a month for group sessions.
My business is about taking people that are feeling completely alone whilst living with chronic illness to feeling supported by a group of like-minded people, who acknowledge you, a giving you new skills, confidence and hope for the future.
What sets my programs apart from others is that I offer 24/7 WhatsApp support. That real-time support during a flare-up is when real transformation happens.
🌈 Looking Ahead
I’m so excited about what’s coming next.
💫 My first ever 1:1 healing retreats are launching this summer.
💫 I’ll be starting Pilates Teacher Training to bring mindful movement to my work.
💫 And on August 1st, the doors to the Spoonies Community will reopen for five days! It’s an amazing space for connection, healing, and monthly learning about new modalities.
If you’re living with chronic illness, disability or pain, or simply want to reconnect with your body, I see you. I’ve been where you are. And I truly believe there’s another side - one filled with joy, freedom, and deep inner strength. Give me a follow on Instagram for any live time updates or just drop me a message for a chat.
Thank you so much to Eline for sharing your story with such honesty and heart. Your strength, curiosity, and commitment to helping others find their way is truly inspiring -we’re so grateful to have you in the Cool Crutches community.
If you'd like to read stories of other inspiring women in our community, then please check out these:
Ella's Journey : Redefining Life After FND
Alycia's Story : Creativity, Confidence & Brittle Bones
From Single Able Bodied Teen to Married and Disabled Mum : Amelia's Story
