Rehab beyond hospitals
The importance of specialised rehabilitation for stroke survivors
Last week, I bid farewell to an expert who had been instrumental in my rehabilitation journey since my stroke. Interestingly, he doesn't work in a traditional hospital or health service setting. While most people might not immediately associate his work with the field of "allied health," I can attest to its immense importance when it comes to regaining your health following a major life-altering event like a stroke. Meet Mark Quamil, the head trainer at F45 Balwyn, who played a pivotal role in my recovery.
Before my stroke, I was a regular at F45, hitting the gym four to five days a week. However, when a stroke entered the picture, it had a profound impact on my training routine. Imagine facing a significant brain-related trauma, undergoing heart surgery to close a hole called a PFO (Patent Foramen Ovale) that allowed the clot to reach my brain, dealing with fatigue, and coping with a weak right arm and a hand that couldn't grip properly. You're essentially a walking health risk.
Challenges faced by disabled individuals in fitness
It's no secret that many disabled individuals, like me, end up neglecting their fitness due to the added difficulty of managing it safely. Tailoring exercises, closely monitoring metrics like BPM (beats per minute), and ensuring that they won't injure themselves or others if their grip fails during a workout can be daunting. This neglect can lead to other issues, including weight gain, creating a vicious circle of health challenges.
F45’s tailored approach to rehabilitation
Mark and his team were wonderful during this challenging time. They took the time to ask me numerous questions to fully understand my unique situation as I progressed through the stages of recovery. They managed a rehabilitation plan for me that focused on strength classes for the initial six months, allowing me to train and push my body without the added pressure of intense cardio workouts. They made necessary adaptations to the exercises and kept a close eye on my BPM using my Apple Watch.
Support and monitoring at every step
The professionalism of Mark and his team was evident in every interaction. One morning, when meeting a new trainer, when I struggled to articulate myself due to the lingering effects of my stroke, I simply mentioned that I had experienced a stroke. Her immediate recognition and acknowledgment of my situation showed me that the team had her briefed about my condition. Their quiet but vigilant monitoring and support were constant, ensuring my safety and well-being.
Overcoming fear: a close call in my recovery journey
To provide context, there was one morning when I pushed myself beyond my limits. I glanced at my Apple Watch and saw that my BPM had skyrocketed to 171. My self-imposed limit was 160 BPM. As I walked back to my car, overcome by fatigue, I began to feel a strange and alarming pain in my chest. I sat in my car for a few minutes, torn between driving home or making my way to Box Hill Hospital. It was a mix of fatigue and anxiety, but this was the fear that haunted me as a post-trauma survivor pushing my boundaries.
The gratitude I owe to Mark and his team
I firmly believe that my ability to regain fitness and achieve a healthier body, which, in turn, benefited other aspects of my rehabilitation, was made possible because of my ability to train safely. For that, I owe an enormous debt of gratitude to Mark and his dedicated team at F45 Balwyn.
