Exercise and ataxia. The mental benefits.

[Iain_100]

Let me introduce Tam Donnelly.

Tam organises the Ataxia UK North London branch.

I first met Tam in January during my wee birthday walk in London's Hyde Park.

He explained to me then, that it was his first real outdoor walk for years.

I then met him again, about one month ago. Again in London - at the start of my European adventures. He had obviously been out-and-about a lot in the intervening period. Physically, Tam looked much fitter.

But the biggest change was his mentality. He was such a happier person (not that he seemed really unhappy in January).

There's not a lot we can do about the physical progression of ataxia. But we ARE in total control of how we cope with ataxia mentally. 100%.

So go out and do what makes you smile

[Tam is on the left of the picture]

[wobblybee]

I'm all for anything that makes me smile😊xB

**I really should amend that picture😉

[Iain_100 in reply to wobblybee]

Keep the red wig though.

I wouldn't recognise you otherwise

[HarryB Administrator]

Hi Iain

Couldn't agree with you more. I have made quite a few lifestyle changes since the beginning of the year. I cannot tell you how much better I feel, both mentally and physically. Spinach and exercise (particularly pilates) are my saviours!

Harriet

[Litty]

I am not a natural exerciser but when you are doing it and after you definitely feel better.

On grotty wet days I have my Dad’s old rowing machine, exercise bike and little trampoline with handrail. It can be boring doing it so I used to have the radio on or music but since they were moved my room down stairs I can watch my bird feeders and test myself on the birds to practise talking because I do not do enough of it.

We are very lucky and have some fields that I used to love walking around with our collie. When I could not do it any more I asked for tips on how to on ‘Living with Ataxia’ site and a lovely fireman in america who does marathons suggested I copy him and adapt a baby jogger. The man at the company that own them was really helpful and advised an older model so I got a second hand one on Ebay with biggish wheels (took the cab off and weighted the front) and I can now go around the field again with the dog. My Ian mows me a path and put an old bench halfway.

I dance with Ian most weekends. Funny I can barely walk but I can dance : )

[Iain_100 in reply to Litty]

Where there's a will, Litty.

And I hear you about the dancing. Not that I dance myself (people bumping into me is a big no-no).

But when I walk, and I get moving, I have a lot less problems. It's just the starting/stopping/negotiating obstacles.

Physio has explained that it's a different part of the brain that deals with repetitive movements, so as long as the way is clear ahead, and is fairly level, then I can walk for miles (and my GP has suggested that I do this as often as is possible).

Sorry to hear about your friend's dog. And thanks for the link - I'll have a good read later.

Iain

[Litty]

Oh I forgot to tell you about wonderful my great friend Kati (she has just lost her self-trained beautiful assinstance dog Inca but still has JJ). Amazingly she lives alone with ataxia and deafness. Her whole blog is wonderful and full of tips that work! She is a great believer in forced exercise.

katilea.wordpress.com/2012/...

Hope you enjoy her blog too. So exercise is good physically as well : )