MICHELLE THE BRAVE

I received a telephone call late January 2010 from a Michelle who was enquiring as to how to join Run Walk for Life. I run a branch of RWFL in Queensburgh, Kwazulu-Natal.

So as a branch manager would, I told Michelle all she needs to know and of course asked her how we can help. She said she was very unfit and needed to get back into shape, a normal answer you would say.

I was quite happy here I am getting a new member for my branch, she sounds very keen to get fit, all too perfect. She mentions at the end of the conversation that there could be a problem with her attending session as she is a paraplegic in a wheelchair.

I do not shy away from challenges and here was a challenge, Straight away I told her not to worry I have a perfect parking for her which will allow her direct access to the field.

She arrives at the next session, self sufficient in her own car with the wheel chair up on the roof. She lower it and got into the chair by herself and wheeled her way over to me. It was difficult not to feel sorry for this young lady but she made it very clear she does not want that from people.

From the start it was quite evident she needed to build up her arm muscles, so I gave her a 3 day weight training programme. It had nine different arms, shoulder and chest strengthening moves with dumbbells.

Michelle was confined to a wheelchair after a very nasty car crash 14 years ago, as I mentioned previously she is very self sufficient, she works a day time job and has the most amazing outlook on life, always smiling (except when I chase her on speed breaks) and always happy.

This lady has been at Queensburgh Run Walk for Life for since 01/02/2010 and I can tell you she has not only built up her muscles but is giving the walkers something to think about. Strange enough I don’t hear that words “I can’t” coming from the members anymore, I wonder why ?