Our Wellbeing Client of the Season Award is an opportunity for us to celebrate our clients’ achievements and determination, and to inspire more people to seek help if they need it.
Sheila started the Exercise at Home programme with no previous background with exercise. When we carried out her initial assessment to find her starting point, she scored 35 out of 56 on the berg evaluation (a tool we use to assess clients). Her end goal was to lose some weight and to gain a bit more mobility so she could go out more and be social. Sheila has arthritis in her knees so finds walking quite painful. Regardless of this she was determined to do the exercises to help herself in the long run.
Sheila ensured she did the exercises every day, she also enjoyed teaching some of the exercises to her friends. When Sheila started with us, she was unable to stand up without using her hands, but after a few sessions she was able to stand easily without needing them at all which was a fantastic start!
Towards the end of the programme Sheila was really enjoying the sessions. She was so excited and proud of herself for the improvement every week. By the end of the programme, Sheila was reassessed to see how far she had come. She ended up scoring 40 on the berg evaluation this time around.
Unfortunately, when we completed the 6-month call back Sheila told us she had a stroke a few weeks prior. She explained to us that her speech was affected as well as her mobility on one side. Despite this Sheila told us she was not going to let anything stop her, and that she was extremely determined to help herself. She told us that rather than letting this stop her, she planned to use the stroke as motivation to get back to where she was.
Sheila told us she planned to continue doing the exercises every day, and she was going to continue getting out to see her friends, and even going to go out of her comfort zone and join a group class.
Sheila’s motivation and determination has really inspired us all. Well done, Sheila!
