"Exercise classes"

To The Kerang Hospital Board,

I have been attending the exercise classes held at Kerang Hospital since August 2018. When I commenced the class I was recovering from a knee replacement in early January  2018, using a cane at all times, experiencing quite severe balance problems and feeling rather powerless when it came to physical activity. I had a heart attack 2 years previously and suffered quite a severe fall in 2017. I was aged in my mid 60's and moving towards diabetes. 

I have attended the sessions under Karyl’s tutelage and these are some of the improvements we have recorded: 

I commenced being able to only do 5 reps or even the upper body strength work and can now undertake 20 reps for most exercises, including the lower body exercises.

I could barely walk across the room, but am now doing 0.5km of the treadmill on a regular basis, rarely use my cane inside or around the yard, and I am using it less and less outside on a daily basis even to the point I have gone into shops and realised I had forgotten to bring it with me. I could not walk out in nature but recently travelled to Portland where I found I was walking on uneven ground with my balance and confidence steadily improving,

I am using heavier weights for all my exercises, riding the bike each week a little further, and the strength in my knees has improved even to the point I have now begun walking down steps, something I could not do previously. The pain in both my knees has decreased.

The core exercises have also improved a problem I have had with incontinence. With all these changes I am happier, more positive and confident again in dealing with life; I am swimming regularly, and have even tackled the problem of my obesity. I feel more confident about a positive outcome of my second knee replacement. I have no return of my heart problems and my sugar and cholesterol levels have decreased.

I cannot speak too highly of the program and the individual professional support, challenges and encouragement I have received from the staff. I certainly would like to see your continued financial support for this program and its expansion.

Yours sincerely, 

rainnj56