Dear Liz,
I have had the honor of being one of the very first students in your unique Poolates class. I have been attending water exercise classes for many years and must say that your Poolates class has changed my life! Not only has it helped my medical issues: Rheumatoid Arthritis, Spinal Issues that doctors refuse to attempt to correct, Emphysema that doctors are amazed is getting much better as my lung capacity improves, Neuropathy that challenged my balance which is now greatly improved and Blood Pressure that now always tests good, but every time I had a pain or a problem you knew just how to help with it. You have really helped me to understand my body so much better.
I always tell people facing surgery to workout and get stronger before any procedure, and the recovery will be much faster; little did I know I would soon be heeding my own advice. The next morning after your goodbye party (6/9), I stepped on a slippery log, fell on the log with my good left knee and tore the quadriceps tendon from my knee cap. With a valley between my kneecap and a big lump, and unable to lift my leg, I knew it wasn’t anything I could fix with duct tape.
After surgery the next day, I woke up with an immobilizer on my leg and was told I might be able to start Physical Therapy in 6-8 weeks. At my 2-week visit, the doc asked me if I could tighten the muscle and lift my leg some; well, I could (not very much) but I figured that success meant I could fire the quad a little. By my 4-week visit I could lift the leg with no pain and asked if I could start PT soon. Doc said he thought that would be okay, and I informed him that I had already booked an appointment, so needed his order soon! At my 6-week visit, he was amazed by my progress in PT.
I started Poolates again last Tuesday (I sit on the steps to remove my leg brace), do 90% of the things I was doing before my mishap, and I’ve been misplacing (forgetting to use) my cane so much that now I leave it in the car.
You have been such a blessing in my life, and have taught me sooo much about my body that I can never thank you enough. As you know, my wife & I love to dance and try to go out every weekend. As we grew older, my body just wouldn’t let me do the moves I was used to on the dance floor. As I became stronger and more body aware with Poolates, well, you have helped us one again enjoy our love of dancing so much more!
Sincerely,
Ron Stolk