Getting you fit for life
WHEN George Sayers woke in agony in the early hours of Good Friday last year little did he realise his life was about to change forever.
In what seemed like a split second, the father-of-two had gone from being an active sportsman with a job that took him all over the country working on outdoor sites to being totally paralysed from the chest down.
George (40) explained how his frightening ordeal began: "I woke during the night with terrible pains in my stomach. It was unbearable and I was screaming in agony. I was rushed to Stirling Royal Infirmary by
ambulance and later transferred to the Edinburgh Western General.
"They gave me an MRI scan and that's when the doctors discovered I'd had a spinal infarction – a tiny blood clot. I couldn't move from the chest down.
"It was totally out of the blue. Until the moment that I woke with the terrible pain I'd been fine. It was a real shock."
But, thanks to intensive physiotherapy and a Falkirk Council-run physical activity initiative, George has made a remarkable recovery and hopes to eventually regain enough fitness to go back to his job as a site supervisor with fabrication welders Chieftain Contracts.
Active Forth was set up around eight years ago and is the district's physical actival referral scheme where GPs, physio-therapists, rehabilitation specialist or other medical professionals can direct patients to take part in a structured programme to help their fitness.
George said: "I was in Edinburgh for two weeks then transferred to Ward 11 at Falkirk Royal where I spent two months. At first I used a wheelchair to get about then a zimmer. By the time I left hospital at the end of June I was using long crutches. However, I had to go back into hospital three or four times.
"The physiotherapists there were great and last August the outreach team referred me to Active Forth at the Mariner Centre.
''I've two youngsters, Ryan (5) and Shaun (2), and they've been my motivation to try to get fit again. I don't want to be sitting around watching them play, I want to be able to do things with them."
Clients are referred for 12-week programmes, but Damian Lord, one of three physical actvity referral consultants, said this can be extended depending on individual cases.
George, who, before his illness, regularly used to run, cycle and ski, now travels three times a week from his Bonnybridge home to the Camelon centre to be put through his paces by Damian.
He said: "It was very difficult at first because I didn't have a lot of power in my legs. But now I use the treadmill, crosstrainer and Powerplate. Initially, it was pretty painful but I was determined to do it.
"My strength has improved a lot, but I still don't have a lot of balance. Apparently, my nervous system has been damaged and I don't have much feeling in my feet. I'm better than I was but still have a bit to go. My goal now is to get fit enough to go back to work."
Around 600 clients are referred to Active Forth annually. It operates out of the Circuit Health and Fitness Cubs in Camelon, Grangemouth and Bo'ness, as well as the Dawson Centre.
Damian, who has worked with the project for over five years, said: "The majority of our referrals are in their 50s, although we have had quite a few teenagers and I think the oldest was 89.
"At their first appointment they come in for an interview to learn more about the programme and then at the second meeting they have a fitness assessment before a physical activity programme is devised for them.
''At four and then eight weeks they get a review, then after 12 weeks they are re-assessed with the results sent to their GP."
The three-month programme is offered at a discounted rate and, if someone needs to stay as an Active Forth member after this, they are eligible to a reduced charge.
Damian added: "During that time they can come as often as they want, but the average is three visits a week. We tend to find that the more serious someone's condition is, the more likely they are to stay on after their programme is complete.
"By the end of their time with Active Forth we see huge changes in people. Their mobility and in many cases, what they are able to achieve improves dramatically. It also is great for someone's self esteem as they have a real sense of achievement, perhaps after years of not being able to do very much."
As he prepared to continue his workout, George admitted when he was confined to a hospital bed 12 months ago, he never imagined he would ever be fit enough again to spend time in a gym.
He added: "It's all thanks to all the hospital staff in Falkirk Royal and here at the Mariner Centre that I've achieved so much. I'll never be able to thank them enough."
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Weather for Falkirk
Wednesday 30 May 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 11 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 10 C to 17 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: West
