IFI Mark accredited gym supporting Lee with exercise rehabilitation
Lee Isherwood, from Dudley, is getting himself back to fitness thanks to exercise and rehabilitation support from the Sandwell Leisure Trust facility at Portway Lifestyle Centre in Oldbury, West Midlands. Lee is now promoting the influence that activity has had on his life, after a serious car accident left him almost completely paralysed down the right hand side of his body. Below he talks openly and emotionally about the accident and his new exercise regime.
The 29 year old is now walking again after regular rehabilitation workouts at the Inclusive Fitness Initiative accredited facility. Portway Lifestyle Centre is a centre of excellence for disabled people and is an ‘Excellent’ accredited Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) facilities in the Midlands. By complying with the IFI Mark standards, SLT's Portway publicly delivers on its commitment to quality of service to disabled customers, plus inclusion and equality for all members to participate. The IFI Mark is fundamental in addressing inequality in physical activity. It helps to reach inactive populations and raises awareness of the benefits of exercise.
In March 2014, Lee was flung out of his car on impact and in a coma for three weeks as a result. Once out of his coma and off the danger list, he was transferred to Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley to recuperate, followed by specialist rehabilitation at Moseley Hall Hospital in Birmingham – until the end of November 2014.
The accident left Lee needing a wheelchair to get around. He put on over two stone in weight, so in summer 2015, his physio recommended hydrotherapy at Portway Lifestyle Centre to get him moving again. At first he could hardly stand in the shallow end on his left leg.
Lee explains:
“My weekly visits to Portway have become an essential part of my recovery and I absolutely love it. It’s been a really tough year, with lots of highs and lows, but week in, week out I see minor improvements. To start with I only had partial use of my right arm on that side, but the leg is stronger now too and I can walk on my own and my coordination and range of mobility is much better, plus I’m slowly getting my old confidence back.
“Whilst the doctors didn’t quite say I’d never walk again, because my head trauma was so severe they said it was all down to me and I’d have to re-teach my brain to function. The hydrotherapy pool at Portway got me moving again, but I wanted more, so it was onto the treadmill for my first few steps and now I’m doing step up and down exercises on the plate, basic weight lifts, roll outs and squats, etc, to improve my balance and core strength.
“I wouldn’t wish what I’ve gone through on my worst enemy, but it’s my own fault for drinking and I’m trying to raise as much awareness as possible. It's just not worth the risk and puts others in danger too. I had two passengers in the car, but they walked away unharmed and I’m so glad that it was just me that got hurt. Apart from being grateful to be alive, I’m so motivated to get well, as my three kids (two daughters now aged 7 and 3 plus a son aged 5) have lost out on so much and I’m putting myself through the pain barrier for them as much as me.
“The doctors reckon I’ll only get back about 80% of my total mobility, but I’m determined to prove them wrong. I hope to drive again one day, get back to my former tarmacing job and be able to play with the kids like any Dad would.”
Support at Portway
Lee has been supported at Sandwell Leisure Trust by instructor Natasha Jackson. She says about Lee's exercise routine:
“Lee’s physio referred him to us for our hydrotherapy pool initially, as he couldn’t stand, but he made quick progress and was soon able to support himself with a stick. So we came up with some bespoke functional programmes to improve his overall fitness, help him lose over two stone in weight, and then specifically improve his balance, coordination and strength.
“I reckon he’s about 60% on his road to recovery, so there’s still a lot of hard work to be done, but if anyone can do it, it’s Lee. He just shows how much you can achieve with a bit of self belief and willpower. He’s been limited to just one session a week so far, because he relies on his carer for transport, but he’s looking at coming for extra sessions on his own and on the bus, which will speed up his rehabilitation even more.”
