My trips to Douglas Bader Gym.

After struggling for so long to get my wheelchair I am now trying to improve what mobility I have left. I heard about Douglas Bader gym at Sunberry Day Center which I attend twice a week. I got my keyworker (Dolly) to get me an application form, which I then had to get signed by my doctor and sent it. I then had to go and be assessed at the gym by Lisa Duncan, she got me to do things on different equipment which I would never thought possible. There are thing's to help with upper body strength which I am doing at the moment. There are also machines for the lower body which I am not doing right now, but you never know, I would love to be able to use them one day. So I have made it my target for the new year (2011) to be able to get back to using my walking frame more and my wheelchair less. There is one thing I have forgot to mention, when you are finished in the gym there is a nice restaurant to round off a beautiful day. I am now going to the gym once a week which I am finding very helpful. There is a charge of £2 for using the gym and the meal usually costs about £6, in my opinion that is money well spent.

My trip to a gym

On Monday 8th October I went to the Douglas Bader gym at St. Mary's hospital, Roehampton Lane. Previously I was seen by Physiotherapists from the hospital, but they said they had done all they can and discharged me. They had given me lists of excercises to do at home but I found it very difficult to motivate myself to do them. The whole way things are set up at Douglas Bader suited me. I could not use all the machines but in time who knows. There were people there to offer advice, the two who helped me were Lisa and Paul. The equipment was brilliant, I wished I could use it all. I managed to use 4 different machines which I thought would have been impossible for me. It showed me just what was possible, I just wish I could use all the equipment. So watch this space for updates.