         
-
- Partners:
-
-
-
- Major Sponsors:
-
|
|
| STORIES FROM OUR PEOPLE | 
| Jude Macdonald | Having
had severe rheumatoid arthritis at the age of 3, I was admitted to
Great Ormond St hospital, London for 2 years. Great Ormond St is a
hospital for very sick children.
Much of my therapy was
in a hydrotherapy pool and it is probably one of my earliest childhood
memories, I loved being in a warm pool with nurses helping me to
move my joints and getting me to walk again. When I finally left
hospital mum got me swim lessons and I become a strong swimmer and a
water baby. I will always cherish my mum for this. You see it was one
of the only exercises I could do that didn’t hurt. At school this
was very important it made me feel included and I excelled in swimming,
winning some awards.
Just a few years ago I was needing
hip replacements and knew I needed the water again so attended aqua fit
classes. My knee was very painful to walk on however I am so
pleased, that after a few weeks of exercise in the water, my knee came
right (and is still great today) and I even lost weight. Initially it
was hard because I was in so much pain, but the water helped my muscles
get stronger which protected me.
I did end up with hip
replacements eventually which was inevitable due to a motor
accident at age 11. I am pleased to say I am in the best shape
ever. I attend the gym at Waterworld 3-4 times a week now and dance,
Ceroc, Latin and ballroom. Its so wonderful not to be in pain anymore
and I have so many people to thank.
So as you see the benefits
of water have been truly amazing for me short term and long term, for
the last 3-4 years NO MORE PAIN. There are so many people that will
benefit from this pool, with all different kinds of conditions, young
and old. I now help people to stay well with the company I work with
and just took out 3 Australasian awards.
At
the auction evening last year my involvement in the Hydrotherapy pool
project was that I was able to donate a leadership course valued at
$2500 which sold for $600 and some other gifts, including a Manchester
United T Shirt.
I personally would
like to thank anyone who has contributed to this wonderful project, you
will all have contributed to someone’s wellness somewhere. Thank
you.
|
|
