TESTIMONIALS
Ayla Mary Relf
Recovering from a bout with cancer tries nutritional supplements and exercise
Let’s do the time walk again!
Last November I walked into Kay’s exercise class feeling very listless and tired.
I had not long completed six months of chemotherapy and had a “loooong” way to go in the effort of feeling properly well again. While the scientific measurements assured me the cancer was gone, I was left feeling squashed and deflated. My old self (ok, I really mean my ‘younger’ self) – well where was it and how do I get it back? That was the question.
A friend directed me to the Tuesday evening exercise group, held at the Uniting Church hall in Passage Street. I am basically a lazy person, I hate exercise – but I thought, hey, if this is going to do it for me, then I guess I am beholden to give it a go.
When I got there, I found a very friendly and welcoming group of ladies, who were ready for a laugh, given half an opportunity, and prepared to include me in their mix. I found I fitted in socially, the exercise however, was another matter. I could barely take a ”step to the left” and was a long way from doing the “time walk” again!
Now, eight months later, we are still laughing and trying and laughing again, but believe me, I can get out that “step to the right”. Whoopie-do! Needless to say, I still have a long to go, but with slow, gentle, but directed, exercises, I hope I will one day get to complete that old (young) “time walk” again.
Phoebe Johnstone story – a frozen shoulder that no one could fix.
She came to a class for help with general fitness and now moves her arm full circle without pain.
It happened one day when I was out gardening. I did not realise that, while I was pulling out weeds, I somehow injured my shoulder.
I was in a lot of pain so thought a remedial massage would help. After a few visits to a physiotherapist I was no better. My next attempt was to try a chiropractic therapist. As hard as she worked on me it made little difference. My last resort was to try acupuncture. I endured the pain but, no better. After trying everything, each of these therapists had to admit they could do no more.
It was about this time that my sister invited me to come along to the Gentle Exercise class at the Cleveland Uniting Church hall. I was apprehensive about starting, but was warmly welcomed into the group. Our leader, Kay Bayly, was very understanding and helped me to settle in gradually.
It was embarrassing for me when in the course of the exercise regime, we had to raise our arms above our heads. I had to use my good arm to lift up my bad arm. It was painful at first. With constant practise it has become easier at each session. Eventually I found I could lift my arm without pain.
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