I met my husband through a mutual support group for people who have a physical difficulty. I guess misery does love company. But those of us who have a physical difficult of one kind or another can be supportive and encouraging to those that suffer.
I have a crushed lower disk. I control the pain with (of all things) exercise. Exercise lubricates the joints. It opens the mind to more pleasant things to think about as well.
My husband has had 3 back surgeries, one surgery to fix a broken leg (he almost lost the leg). So he has rehabilitated himself several times, in a manner of speaking. He was an EMT / medevac pilot. On what would be his last day of work (but he didn't know it), he answered an EMT call, not knowing...