Our Stories

MEET RUTH!

Ruth is recently a new member as she was able to become part of the Y-family through our Insurance-based Memberships. She is also a participant in our free Geri-fit program. We wanted to share her story on why now.

Before Ruth joined, she was having hand and shoulder issues as she had previous surgery. Her daughter encouraged her to check out the YMCA because she heard that we could help. Ruth visited the Y, and her insurance covered her membership AND we enrolled her into our free Geri-fit program.

At first she was skeptical as she had not been to the YMCA for several years, but after going to one class, she continued to come. "I looked around the room and saw people just like me, and from then on, I felt like I was home." - Ruth

Ruth worked with our instructor and completed at home exercises, and after several weeks, Ruth was able to touch her fingers together and lift her shoulders above her head. She is over the moon that she took her daughters advice and encourages others to never give up!

In 2021, Don suffered a bone injury, while cutting a tree, causing his pelvis to be slit in half. He was bedridden for over four months and had a long recovery road ahead of him. To get function back, his doctor told him he needed to walk, but not just walk anywhere, it had to be on a flat surface and in a safe environment.

He remembered that his company was a corporate member of the Wabash County YMCA, giving him a monthly reduction off his membership fees, so he became a member of the YMCA.
During his first visit, Don was using a cane and he could only manage one lap around the track. He persisted and continued to walk the track. After eight weeks, he could walk without his cane and then became a fast walker.

It has been a year since his injury and Don can now walk miles around the track, not just one lap. To continue his improved health, Don walks the track daily.

I first started working with Sarah Carpenter to keep myself accountable for what I ate and for my weight. Little did I know that I would learn so much about myself and my eating habits, but also how to use the right food to fuel my body. I really appreciate the fact that Sarah didn’t throw everything at me all at once. Each week I learned something new to apply to my life. I am so grateful for her support and for her helping me to get on track in a healthy manner so that I can make a lifestyle change instead of always feeling like I am on a diet.

The Geri-Fit program has benefited me personally and dramatically by substantially strengthening my lower back muscles. More than a year before the inception of the Gerl Fit class, I experienced a major back surgery. The surgery left me with much weakness and pain in my lower back. The surgeon advised me that it might take one year for my back muscles to be restored, if ever. Despite my active participation in physical therapy and the Silver Sneakers program, things were not progressing satisfactorily. I had begun to despair.

In early June, more than a year after the surgery, I reluctantly opted to try and give one more attempt at pain relief by exercising. Within six weeks of participation in the Geri-Fit program, I was no longer experiencing the daily persistent pain and discomfort that had been plaguing me.

The instructor, Jill, has ably and professionally guided us through the rigors of the program. She has thoughtfully worked with each participant, and many have expressed to me their gratitude for her guidance. She is to be applauded. Geri-Fit has been an invaluable help to me, and others in the program have recounted their experiences as very favorable.