Healthy Communities • Healthy Living • Y Stories • YMCA Health and Fitness
YMCA member’s remarkable story of healing
27 February 2020 - by Zoja Popovic
Doug Fulford's rheumatoid arthritis symptoms came on suddenly, leaving him — in his words — weak, foggy-brained, and barely able to walk 600 steps a day. His doctors told him he needed to start a regular exercise routine. Eager to try anything that might help him feel better, Doug began searching for a place to start his recovery — and he found the Oshawa YMCA. Here are the three things that resonated with him and helped him start healing:
1. Diving into accessible fitness options
Doug began his Y experience with one of our most fun group fitness classes: Arriba! This fusion of Latin, Bollywood, and belly dance moves is set to lively music that has the power to move just about everyone, and that’s exactly what happened to Doug. The instructor told him to join in where he could and not to feel discouraged if there were moves he couldn’t manage yet. That permission to move at his own pace was what hooked Doug on day one.
With so many group fitness classes included in his membership, Doug quickly discovered his passion: AquaFit. The buoyancy and low impact created by the water means this is the perfect class for anyone with pain or mobility issues. Doug now says AquaFit is the biggest portion of his Y life and always will be.
2. Building new friendships
Not only did he increase his mobility while decreasing inflammation and the amount of medication he’s taking; Doug says he also grew his support system.
“I remember when I first walked into the Y and stopped at the front desk,” he recalls. “They gave me a tour and I thought to myself, ‘I can do this! This is where I need to be.’”
He quickly started connecting with Y staff and his fellow members.
Doug says it’s the support of his friends that keeps him coming back to classes time and time again.
3. Opportunities to give back
Today, Doug’s striving to help others access the same tools and supports that helped him along the road to recovery. He volunteers as an instructor for his favourite class, AquaFit, and he’s even joined this year’s Sweat For Good Challenge, our biggest fundraising event of the year. The money Doug raises helps us keep our doors open to everyone: it goes towards financially assisted memberships for people who otherwise couldn’t afford to join the Y. For someone going through life-altering changes like Doug was, getting access to these supports can mean a world of difference.
From barely being able to walk and needing two hands to pour his coffee, to leading group fitness classes every week and participating in a fitness fundraiser, Doug has come a long way in a short amount of time.
We’re inspired by him, and we hope you are, too. You can support him by donating to his Challenge, or follow in his footsteps by joining in on one of our many events happening all week long from March 1 to 7, 2020.
1. Diving into accessible fitness options
Doug began his Y experience with one of our most fun group fitness classes: Arriba! This fusion of Latin, Bollywood, and belly dance moves is set to lively music that has the power to move just about everyone, and that’s exactly what happened to Doug. The instructor told him to join in where he could and not to feel discouraged if there were moves he couldn’t manage yet. That permission to move at his own pace was what hooked Doug on day one.
“I had so much fun in that class, and the instructor gave me lots of support,” Doug says. “That 45 minutes was such a riot! I still do that class when I can.”
With so many group fitness classes included in his membership, Doug quickly discovered his passion: AquaFit. The buoyancy and low impact created by the water means this is the perfect class for anyone with pain or mobility issues. Doug now says AquaFit is the biggest portion of his Y life and always will be.
2. Building new friendships
Not only did he increase his mobility while decreasing inflammation and the amount of medication he’s taking; Doug says he also grew his support system.
“I remember when I first walked into the Y and stopped at the front desk,” he recalls. “They gave me a tour and I thought to myself, ‘I can do this! This is where I need to be.’”
He quickly started connecting with Y staff and his fellow members.
“I didn’t believe that I had a lot of friends…now, I couldn’t count them all. The connection with other people can be very healing.”
Doug says it’s the support of his friends that keeps him coming back to classes time and time again.
3. Opportunities to give back
Today, Doug’s striving to help others access the same tools and supports that helped him along the road to recovery. He volunteers as an instructor for his favourite class, AquaFit, and he’s even joined this year’s Sweat For Good Challenge, our biggest fundraising event of the year. The money Doug raises helps us keep our doors open to everyone: it goes towards financially assisted memberships for people who otherwise couldn’t afford to join the Y. For someone going through life-altering changes like Doug was, getting access to these supports can mean a world of difference.
From barely being able to walk and needing two hands to pour his coffee, to leading group fitness classes every week and participating in a fitness fundraiser, Doug has come a long way in a short amount of time.
We’re inspired by him, and we hope you are, too. You can support him by donating to his Challenge, or follow in his footsteps by joining in on one of our many events happening all week long from March 1 to 7, 2020.
