My medical team said it was probably impossible to ever build muscle and that my condition would deteriorate, which it did, pretty fast. The advice given to me at the time was very negative, i was told that even with years of intense physio, it was highly unlikely that i could improve my mobility and was told i needed to use a power chair. So, for the past 5 years i got around in a power chair, i also needed NIV (non invasive ventilation) to help my breathing. Even the lightest of daily tasks would leave me breathless such as putting on shoes, getting dressed and doing light housework, all those things we take for granted would be easy. I was needing NIV after performing all these tasks and i was obesely overweight, which meant my body had to work even harder to manage daily life. I weighed in at 103kg. My diet was full of junk food, high fat, high sugar and lacked so many essential nutrients. Then something strange happened, a global pandemic. The waiting list to see a physiotherapist was growing, so i decided to take it on myself and start exercising. Two years later and my medical team are baffled by the fact i have rebuilt muscle, improved my mobility and i no longer need NIV for my breathing problems. I found a few fitness gadgets on line, starting off very gently, afraid of failing, afraid of falling or pulling a muscle in the process, or even risk becoming worse somehow. Cutting a long story short, i now weigh 59.7kg, have rebuilt muscle, enjoy more energy to do the things i love doing, improved my mobility so much that iv now ditched the power chair for a self propelling sports chair, im a regular at the local gym and attend an inclusive dance class in town once a week. My diet is so healthy including all the essential nutrients which i believe has helped so much, along with strength training and aerobic exercise. I would like to share this journey with you in the hope of helping other disabled people improve their lifestyle and boost both physical and mental health. I am not medically trained or yet qualified to teach fitness, but ill be making some short exercise clips in the hope you will join in and gain many benefits from movement and share your stories with me here on this page.
