CHARITY
Simon and Chris were once again
on hand throughout the session to
guide each beneficiary through their
programme, making use of the full range
of equipment available, including bikes,
balance boards and Swiss balls, as well
as head mounted lasers and a Nintendo
Wii. Indeed, Ken once again stepped up
to the plate, or rather the Wii balance
board, this time guiding his computer
animated bubble around a twisty river
course with ease, a skill I remember
failing dismally at in the comfort of my
own living room.
In a separate, nearby fitness room a
range of familiar looking treadmills,
exercise bikes and arm bikes were also
joined by a space-age looking new
addition. The Anti-Gravity Treadmill –
acquired by the charity through the
money received from LIBOR – allows
users to reduce gravity’s impact on joints
by ‘unweighting’ themselves from the
treadmill, thus allowing users to exercise
while reducing the impact on the joints
that can come from traditional exercise.
Regrettably not yet up and running,
we could but stand back and admire,
imagining an experience not dissimilar to
that of Messrs Armstrong and Aldrin. One
small step for man, one imminent giant
leap for rehabilitation.
Most obvious to me during my time in
the gym, however, was how focussed
and determined each beneficiary was
to make the most of the opportunity
they had been given. Far from baulking
at the thought of pushing or testing
themselves in a gym environment, all
were chomping at the bit to get stuck
in, grateful for the chance to attempt
exercises that had been designed
specifically for them and keen to see
what difference they may make. Also,
far from being an individual experience,
my fellow programmers supported and
light-heartedly goaded each other
throughout and, when it came to the
Wii, were keen to compete to see who
could guide the bubble the furthest.
We’d only been together for a matter of
hours but the banter was evident and it
was clear that everyone was enjoying
each other’s company.
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