I was out on a morning summer bike ride. Living in a coastal community, it’s always a joy to set out early. I have several routes I take, and so I paused at a traffic light to decide which one I would take. The next thing I knew, I woke up in the hospital.

I had been hit from the rear by a car and don’t remember any of it. But I found myself in a hospital and hooked up intravenously, with bandaged legs, arms, and shoulder, a fractured pelvis, and a gash on my head. The family was there, church members were there, and I remained at the hospital for five days. The doctors initially expressed startling claims as to what my future would be.

The practitioner had come right away and having her support and the support of the church members brought steady progress. I was ready to ask to leave the hospital, but the hospital would not let me go unless I was moving to an official rehab that they would
approve of. Chestnut Hill Benevolent Association was a place they would approve of. With short notice, two Christian Science nurses were able to come and transport me back
to the BA.

It was just such a relief to my family and church members that I had such a wonderful place to continue my healing. I had round-the-clock care of the nurses. The physical progress happened steadily, and I could just feel their Christly support and care in practical
ways and in quiet ways. It was just a wonderful atmosphere where a specific truth might be spoken to me or I just felt the strength of the truth wrapped around me. I had time to myself, and I had time with other guests there. There were church services, as well as hymn
singing. Those were all supportive to the healing, and I never felt distracted by the physical challenge. I was in contact daily with the practitioner, and the nurses were just bearing witness to my completeness and wholeness as a child of God. That support was just amazing.

What more can I say? The meals, the atmosphere, the cleanliness, the sunshine that just poured forth in every way, the light of Truth that really embraced me — I just wasn’t impressed with the physical challenges. I had daily care, whether it was showering or dressing.
The integrity of the Christian Science nurses was so profound. They weren’t intrusive, but yet always there in ways that I didn’t even realize. I was just so grateful for the strength of the support that was expressed and their expectancy of healing for me. There was never
any limitation put on my progress in terms of someone saying, “Well, you shouldn’t be doing that.” I felt the full sense of freedom to let the healing be seen.

I am so grateful that we have places like the BA where we can seek refuge and have communion with God. I’m just deeply grateful for Christian Science and Mary Baker Eddy’s establishment of Christian Science nursing, and for all the beautiful qualities the nurses express.

I was at the BA for ten days. And I had a full and complete healing. About six weeks later, I had to have an examination for insurance purposes. The doctor gave me a clean bill of health. I’ve been active, back on the bicycle, and I’m an active mom fulfilling all my duties.
I came into church one Sunday with a walker and the next Sunday, I served as Second Reader. I was at my post. So the church, too, witnessed this healing. I am so deeply grateful. I just rejoice!

—Former patient from New England