Blog: 'That exercise-induced buzz gives people real confidence'
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday through the year.
April's theme is local opportunities. In the last week for this theme, MANFIT's Dr Margaret Tyson discusses giving people confidence, staging a variety of sports and seeing participants making new friends.
Margaret's blog:
MANFIT is Manchester Amputee Fitness Initiative, based in Greater Manchester.
Our aim is to give the participants confidence to get or keep fit and ultimately to integrate into mainstream sports centres, although they can continue attend MANFIT sessions.
Confidence follows on from developing strength, stamina and flexibility, which in turn leads to better operation of an amputee's prosthesis. The social interaction during exercise and after, together with that exercise-induced buzz, also gives people real confidence.
MANFIT is run by me, Margaret Tyson - the first sessions started in 2006 in a well-equipped fitness suite at The Manchester College Openshaw campus.
I have a lower limb prosthesis, had attended fitness sessions for years and realised the benefits that exercise had on general health and fitness. But also the improvements in mobility and strength to be able to operate a prosthetic limb efficiently and to its optimum.
These days, people who attend need to have been approved as suitable by physiotherapists unless already established amputees. The age limit is over 18 years unless accompanied by an adult.
People have made many friends while attending MANFIT, and are able to swap stories about their lives… and also do a bit of moaning if they want to!
A regular at MANFIT is Tracy Delaroute, who had my left leg amputated below the knee in August 2010. She told us:
“Life has not been that easy since having my amputation. I was not able to do a lot of day-to-day activities and I was also very worried that I would not be able to regain my fitness. I was gaining weight and felt there was not I lot I could do about it.
“That is when MANFIT became a part of my life. I had noticed the posters around Withington Limb Centre and thought ‘What have I got to lose? Well, only some weight’. So I telephoned and was delighted to learn that there were a number activities available to me, including boxing, swimming and training in the gym.
“I would encourage everyone to give all the activities a go. By attending them it has made me appreciate what I still can do, and I no longer focus on the things I can’t. I am fitter and healthier, and the other members of MANFIT help give encouragement - it is good to talk to others who understand what I have been through.”
Since opening the gym we have gradually added different sessions to our week. Swimming sessions began six months after gym sessions started, followed by non-contact boxing and more recently wheelchair and amputee tennis and Para-cycling.
The weekly programme can be viewed on our website, along with guidance for exercises which can be done in the home and some dietary advice
Our aim is to provide a wide range of types of exercise and sport for amputees to enjoy so that there is something to suit everyone.
