Lockdown Life
The first week of lockdown was strange. Suddenly my daily routine of work (I was furloughed), keeping fit, the gym and rugby training had stopped. My first thought was to make a new routine, keeping busy is important, both physically and mentally. Weekdays were for reaching set goals and weekends were for relaxing.
Every weekday, weather permitting, I would get in my wheelchair and go for a push around the area. I worked out a 3mile route; 1 mile to the park, 1 mile around the park and 1 mile back home. The first day took me 2hrs. So, my goals were automatically set - improve on that time. A few days I failed beating the previous day’s target, due to wind, rain or punctures. I now do this keep-fit course in 1hr 39mins. I also have some fitness resistance cables, so I spend time stretching my upper body and keeping as supple as possible.
I am paraplegic and a permanent wheelchair user but refuse to be refined to a wheelchair. I have 2 leg callipers and some parallel bars to try and learn somehow to walk again. My first goal was to put one foot in front of the other, whilst gripping onto the parallel bars. If I could manage that, the idea would be to try and walk with a Zimmer frame, then crutches and who knows? I've been trying to achieve this goal for the last 7 years, with smiles and tears but most importantly a very stubborn mind! I attempt this goal a couple of times week too.
My goal for lockdown was to come out the other side safe and well, whilst having achieved something positive. Well, I haven’t let myself down. I am fitter than I was, I have improved my walking and balance between the bars, I can manage a few steps with my Zimmer frame, and I can balance holding my crutches. My thought process is I don't care if it takes me 1, 10 or 15 years to achieve this, I have nothing to lose!