This blog post is a reproduction of an article from our partners, Supportive Living, Inc.
In 1999 Teresa Windrush was involved in a rollover automobile accident on a Maine backroad. She likely hit or swerved to avoid a deer. Among her injuries, she suffered a traumatic brain injury and was in a coma for 10 days. On emerging she had to re-learn how to speak, walk and eat. After a great deal of effort, she has come to a near full recovery. However, she learned the importance of maintaining an active lifestyle to ensure she continues to progress. She moved to Andover in 2019 to be closer to one of her daughters and through an advocate was introduced to Carrol Stephens, SLI Founder and board chairperson. Carrol directed Teresa to the assisted exercise program at the Merrimack Valley Andover YMCA which recently launched in September 2020.
Neuro-fit Assisted Exercise at the Y
“The only time I had been previously to a Y was to try to learn to swim after my accident,” says Teresa. “I’m not a real exercise enthusiast but I really like the assisted exercise program there. It gives me structure and something to look forward to. ” Teresa works one-on-one with a specialist trainer on machines and free weights for arm and leg strength, and a treadmill and outdoor walking when she can. “I want to work on strengthening my core. It should help with balance and reduce my falling.”
“We started the Neuro-Fit Assisted Exercise program at the Merrimack Valley Y in the Fall of 2020,” indicates Kara Lavertu, Manager Neuro-Wellness at SLI. “They have a beautiful Wellness Center exercise area, perfect for the hands-on assisted exercise classes we run. Teresa was one of our first participants. She radiates positivity as she continues improve, which is incredibly inspiring.” Teresa is especially appreciative of her trainer and YMCA representative, Dale Haavind-Berman.
“During our sessions, Teresa’s determined work ethic makes every session a positive experience, improving her balance, strength and core stability,” Dale reports. “Teresa’s upbeat attitude makes each session fun and always seems to go by too fast.”
“The exercise has definitely helped me,” indicates Teresa. “I’m looking forward to starting again in the Spring term.”
Contact us
Neuro-Fit programs are open to brain injury survivors and a sliding fee scale is available to those of limited means. Interested participants should visit the Supportive Living web site, www.supportivelivinginc.org or contact us at 339-227-9581.