Lisa
Lisa In her earlier years Lisa felt fit and healthy, dedicating time to her wellbeing.
As her parents grew older, they required a greater level of support. Lisa stepped in as their carer, providing them with the love and dedication they so needed. Heartbreakingly Lisa’s wonderful Mum and Dad passed away within one year.
Through grief Lisa lost herself, her motivation was low, and she stopped finding enjoyment in activities that she once loved. Although she had the support of her amazing family, she found herself distancing from socialising in the wider community.
One day she collapsed in pain on a stairway and found herself crawling to the top. With no clue as to what was happening to her body and the ongoing agony Lisa began to feel anxious. After undergoing an examination and testing, Doctors confirmed that Lisa was going through an aggressive flare up of arthritis. Arthritis is a common condition that causes pain and inflammation in a joint. In the UK, millions of people have arthritis or other, similar conditions that affect the joints. Arthritis affects people of all ages, including children. People with arthritis are at a higher risk of developing heart disease.
Through her treatment Lisa was referred to an Occupational Therapist, who’s role is to enable people to be as independent as possible in activities that matter to them. Lisa was keen to get back to her old self and improve her wellbeing. Considering Lisa’s condition and the risks associated with it she was enrolled into MorphFit’s Heart of the Matter programme which is funded by Heart Research UK. This 9-week programme offers gentle exercise, specialist lifestyle advice and peer support, aiming to help people to live happier and healthier lives.
Lisa has found the programme extremely beneficial, previously feeling that she had a knowledge of heart health she was surprised to find that she learned so much. With sessions supporting everything from exercise to diet, nutrition and dental Lisa has made a range of small yet impactful changes. Tweaks to her dental routine and better understanding foods and how they work within the body have made a huge difference to her general wellbeing. In addition to exercising in class Lisa is doing the exercises she has learned at home and walking more. She has shared all that she has learned with her wider family who are also benefiting as a result of her participation. Beyond the expert lead exercise and lifestyle advice Lisa has built lasting friendships with fellow participants, she is socialising more and attending other MorphFit classes. She has really benefited from the peer support within the group and sharing her journey, likewise, has helped others.
“Thank you! It’s been eye opening, I’ve loved it, if you had seen me before I started, I was down and within a short period of time everything changed. My family can see the difference”.
