This entry was posted on Monday, January 13th, 2014at 10:46 am by zoe.leahy@activenation.org.uk

Partially Sighted Susan Impresses Staff With Her Dedication

Despite being partially sighted, diabetic and suffering from high blood pressure, Susan Whate plucked up the courage and joined our gym – now she never misses a session.

Susan was born with ocular albinism, which along with other symptoms means her vision is severly blurred. She also has Nystagmus which causes involuntary movement in her eyes.

Despite this Susan completed her training and was a nurse for 21 years before her condition deteriorated and forced her to take early retirement.

Two years ago Susan decided that she wanted to lose a bit of weight and joined a weight loss programme. While at a class she heard about Lincoln City Health Walks and took up the challenge as she already walks everywhere. However, as a child she suffered from whooping cough and bronchitis which scarred her lungs and combined with her vision meant she would struggle during the winter months, particularly over uneven ground.

That’s when someone mentioned joining Yarborough Leisure Centre’s gym. Susan said: “When I first heard about the gym I was very apprehensive. I thought it was going to be full of skinny people in leotards who were so, so fit. But once you’re in the gym you’re so focussed on what you’re doing that nobody is interested in anyone else.

“On my first day I did not know what I was doing, I was huffing and puffing and panting. Even after I had been shown around it still looked scary to me, as I couldn’t work out all of the buttons.

“Now I always have one of the Active Nation  team with me to help me with all of the buttons on the machines.

“The pace is set by me and how I am feeling on the day – which is really good. And slowly we have increased how much I do.”

Staff are impressed by Susan’s dedication and determination as she very rarely misses a session and brightens everyone’s day when she’s at the centre.

Exercise Coach Rik Hyde said: “Susan is one of many individuals who uses the gym on a regular basis who has a visual impairment, this shows that even if you have a condition or a disability you can exercise on a regular basis. We are always on hand to help anyone who  needs it, in whatever way.”

Susan added: “In the two years I have only lost a stone – but I have lost a lot of inches. All of my winter skirts this year are just dropping off me. My friends all keep telling me that they can see I’m still losing weight, but I’m not it’s inches.

“If anyone else is feeling nervous like I did about coming to the gym I would tell them to come. The staff here are so helpful and wonderful. I really do feel so much better for coming to the gym.”

If you have been inspired by Susan’s story and want to find out what we have to offer give us a call on 01522 873600 or come in for a chat with our team.