Blog: “I am now exercising weekly - I regard this as a major success”
The English Federation of Disability Sport (EFDS) website features a blog post every Friday. This year, we’ll be sharing the experiences of disabled people involved in sport and exercise at all levels, finding out what impact being active has on their lives. This week, Ian Cook tell us how local and accessible opportunities helped him to enjoy exercise once again.
My name is Ian Cook. I am 59 and was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis (MS) 25 years ago. My MS is secondary progressive, which means I use sticks or a rollator to walk. I live in Birmingham.
Before diagnosis I used to run, swim and cycle. As my MS worsened I gave up each of these activities and three years ago I realised I had given up all exercise. I knew I had to do something.
My first port of call was my local MS Society branch which runs a weekly exercise class. It was a good start but I soon realised I wanted something that might push me a bit more. Someone at the group told me about a weekly session for disabled swimmers at a local council-run pool. Some of the swimmers are wheelchair users and there’s a hoist to lower them into the water. I can use the steps so each week I swim 20 widths in about 45 minutes using a buoyancy aid round my waist called a “noodle”.
Swimming whetted my appetite and soon after starting I discovered a local gym called the "Feelgood Fitness Centre” attached to a college for visually impaired learners. The gym is very disability-friendly and I try to go once a week with a friend who also has MS. It’s really helped me get fit and I think may even have helped my walking.
Alright, not everything has been a success. I visited a group called “Wheels for All” - a nationally recognised programme that helps disabled people to enjoy cycling. I quickly realised I didn’t have the strength or balance to get back on a traditional two wheeled bike, but with support from Wheels for All I am able to ride an adult tricycle. The other thing I have tried is horse riding and suffice to say I was unable to get on the horse. Riding for the Disabled Association have literally ridden to my rescue and say there’s a local project with a hoist that will enable me to get on a horse. So who knows?
In the past year I have tried an exercise class, swimming, a gym, cycling and horse riding and I am now exercising weekly – something that I regard as a major success and would encourage other disabled people to do. Alright I won’t be applying for the Winter Paralympics but if there was a gold medal for trying I would like to be considered for that.
If you want to be more active but aren't sure how to start, visit our dedicated webpages for advice.
Find out more about accessible cycling opportunities on the Wheels for All website. Click here to find your local Riding for the Disabled Association group.
