“i was at my annual check-up at the spvdu last year when carol came to see me as part of her rounds. when she said she was a physio i didn’t understand why that was relevant to me, as for over 40 years i’d been told you shouldn’t exercise if you have ph or a heart condition.
she explained how things have changed, and that was a big surprise to me. coincidentally, i had just started doing a little walking at around the same time – but only because my train got me to work too early, so i had time to pass each day.
carol taught me how i could track my steps via my phone, which helped to set targets and once shielding ended i started walking more around where i live. one day i even managed eight miles. i would never have done that if it wasn’t for that conversation with carol.
i never used to walk up gradients, but i know now that it’s ok to get a little puffed. and i always used to drive everywhere, because i thought i shouldn’t walk, but that has all changed now.
when i did my last walk test at hospital, i managed 60m further – which might not seem far for some people, but it is for me.
if carol hadn’t spoken to me that day, i would still be thinking i couldn’t exercise, as it’s what i’d been told all my life.”
