"Neuro rehab Gymnasium introductions"

I have Occulopharyngeal muscular dystrophy. I have difficulty opening my eyes, swallowing and general muscular weakness. It affects about 1 in 100,000 people in Europe. This brought me into contact with the RFH Neuromuscular rehabilitation unit at Colindale. 

They encouraged me to attend a six week introduction to exercise course. This taught me to use Gym equipment such as static exercise bikes, Hand Bikes, Tread mills, and various pieces of muscle tensioning equipment. The instructors included a member of the Better gym staff, a physiotherapist and rehab assistant, all of whom were helpful and non-judgemental.

At the end of the course we were encouraged to join the gym at a special rate of £1.60 (now waived) and pay for a weekly session at £4.55.  If we go on a Tuesday morning we can maintain contact with the Neuro-rehabilitation team. I think that this regular exercise session coupled with walking and a simple set of home exercises, has stopped me from becoming disabled. It also provides mental stimulation as there is a small hard core of people from previous courses who attend the gym on Tuesdays, so it has provided a social element. Which is useful. 

I can thoroughly recommend the neuro-rehab course and the pathway it has provided to a moderate level of fitness.