Tom has experienced ill health since childhood. Now 24, he started going along to the Fitness Locker in Merthyr to help his physical wellbeing. What he hadn’t realised is the benefits it would have to his mental health as well.
“I started going to the Fitness Locker in October last year, to maintain a healthy lifestyle following a bone marrow transplant” explains Tom, from Abercanaid. “I’d never trained with a personal trainer before so it was a bit of a shock at first, but it didn't take me long to get used to it.”
Following a brain haemorrhage 15 years ago, Tom was left with hemiplegia - a weakness down one side of the body - as well as visual defects. He sometimes gets low moods.
 |
| Tom as a child |
But lifting weights at the adaptive gym, has also lifted a weight off his mind."Having missed out on so much as a child, life can feel lonely sometimes.
“I did not expect the exercises to boost my mood” he admits, “but I can definitely say that talking with my Personal Trainer has helped enormously to release tension.”
Tom says his self-esteem and motivation has been boosted and adds: “I feel happier now and am part of a community.” He is full of praise for his instructor and fellow gym-goers.
Tom, who is also Chair of the new Disability Sport Merthyr Forum, says exercise has completely turned things around for him: “I have been right down there – depressed, anxious and thinking I was worth nothing, but that's old news now!” he reflects.
“Being part of the fitness locker has helped my mental state 100%.”
0 komentar:
Posting Komentar