Injury Rehabilitation

Paul Bracegirdle

After having a major stroke in December 2002 at the age of 29 I became left sided Hemiplegic and daunted with the thought of maybe never being able to Stand or walk again.

While in hospital I received Therapy on a daily basis which was great for me as over time I became mobile again, though very unstable and unable to walk unaided, I was discharged from hospital in march 2003 and fortunately for me My employers offered me an office placement.

As the years passed by and the therapy stopped, my mobility and mental state of mind reverted back to where it began and I consequently became less confident, overweight, insecure and generally fed up with my whole situation. I feel that maybe my employers must have noticed this because I was approached by the human resources manager and asked if she could on my behalf apply for funding through an organisation called Ready for Work, Within a month the funding was in place and I haven’t looked back since.

After successfully completing a college course to help towards securing my employment my employers offered to organise some personal fitness and Therapy sessions with OUTKLASS, I’m attending two one hour sessions of therapy per week and one hour of personal fitness training, and needless to say my mobility has improved massively, which in turn has had an immense knock on effect to the rest of my personality. I’ve currently lost nearly two stones in weight I am also regaining the confidence I once possessed which has helped me to believe that I can get back into competitive sports.

Subsequently I have been successful in applying to attend a Paralympic potential assessment day in Birmingham and am now in training in order to compete in athletic field events (javelin discus and shot)at Club level for a local athletics club.

I now feel much more positive about the future of my rehabilitation.

I also believe almost anything is achievable with the expert help and guidance from the staff at OUTKLASS and a lot of “Dogged Determination”.

BRING IT ON!

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Rachel Donger

In August 2007 I sustained a spinal cord injury after breaking my back in 3 places. Due to nerve damage i was left with some paralysis, (Incomplete Paraplegia) leaving me unable to walk.

I had some physiotherapy after leaving the hospital but this finished after 6 weeks.

So, 2 and a half years later i started with Outklass Fitness, at the beginning of February 2010.
Consultants had advised that 2 years after a spinal cord injury the progression is extremely limited, if not non existent!

Before the training started i had a consultation with Julia the nutritionist. This was a massive wake up call, and finding out about how different foods can affect your body (and how it works) was great, and a huge help. After a few alterations to my diet i have more (much needed!) energy.

My training sessions are with Gary, after my first session i ached all over! i couldn't quite believe it when i woke up the next morning, i even had a tingling sensation in areas where i'm still paralysed. Amazing work! This really inspired me and gave me great motivation!

After just over 2 months with Gary; my progress has been incredible. I can now take a few steps with crutches, something i never imagined possible, especially after such a short space of time! As time goes on i hope to get stronger with these and be able to use them more often.

During the sessions we mainly work on core strength and balance. Balance has been the most difficult to contend with so far especially after being in a wheelchair for 2 and a half years, but Gary comes up with great exercises which i would never dream of! I look forward to what he'll come up with next!

The variation is great, and the routines get easier as i get stronger, then Gary will find a harder one to move onto!
Occasionally i'll say 'oh i won't be able to do that' and Gary is the first to say 'you CAN do it' and then i will! The encouragement is great for my motivation!

My main goal is to get walking again, at one point last year i thought maybe this is just a dream...but now i'm determined to make it reality. Gary and the rest of the team have given me the confidence to make it happen! I always look forward to my next training session, it's great to work with people who truly believe in you.

Here is my first few steps!