Client Success Story: How Sarah’s life with Cerebral Palsy changed after starting exercise
Longevity Exercise Physiology today shares another client success story! If you’re looking for NDIS Exercise Physiology services, Longevity has locations in Drummoyne, Edgecliff, Marrickville, Bella Vista, Randwick, Pymble, Balmain and Neutral Bay.
Sarah* came to Longevity Exercise Physiology through the NDIS to manage her hemiplegic cerebral palsy. Ideally she wanted to improve her balance, improve her aerobic fitness, improve her whole body strength and lose weight to reduce her risk of lifestyle related conditions. Hemiplegic cerebral palsy is a condition that affects the movement in the limbs on one side of the body. Sarah* experiences spasticity in one arm and one leg, resulting in tight, stiff muscles. Sarah’s* lack of motor control, strength and muscle stiffness affect her ability to cook, clean and walk long distances.
Sarah* has been undertaking weekly Exercise Physiology sessions since January 2020. After just two months, Sarah* had improved her lower body strength by 27%, upper body strength on her arm affected by cerebral palsy by 28% and walking capacity by 24%. These improvements allowed Sarah* to move around her house with more confidence and complete more tasks independently.
Last week Sarah* excitedly showed me this picture of holding a fruit cup with her affected hand for the first time!
Over the last 5 weeks, Sarah* has seen even more fantastic results after increasing her sessions to twice a week. Despite dealing with the challenge of a sore foot, she has been able to improve her strength, balance and aerobic fitness. She feels much less puffed out on her exercise bike, despite increasing the intensity and time that she cycles for. We have been stretching and strengthening her side affected by cerebral palsy to improve her spasticity and motor control. Last week Sarah* excitedly showed me this picture of holding a fruit cup with her affected hand for the first time!
Recently, with encouragement from her Exercise Physiologist, Sarah* has been more motivated to make lifestyle changes outside of her sessions. Sarah* has made the commitment to improve her diet and to do more regular walking. Over the last three weeks, Sarah* has lost 3kg. Sarah* is just getting started and can’t wait until the pools open up so that she get in the water and continue her great work outside of our sessions!
*Name changed for privacy reasons
If you or someone you know needs help under the NDIS, contact Longevity Exercise Physiology on 1300 964 002 today. We have locations in Edgecliff, Pymble, Marrickville, Randwick, Drummoyne, Balmain, Bella Vista and Neutral Bay.
Written by Josh Taylor
