Maggie’s Story Of Over Coming Health Challenges

Are you guilty of taking your health and wellness for granted? Do you just expect that you will always be healthy, with no limitations on your physical health?

I am sure that we all have been guilty of this thought at times, what we have today we will be there tomorrow. But one moment in time can change all of that as it did for my next Face of Fitness and Wellness.

One day she was a healthy young girl in her 20s and the next day she had a stroke that changed her world and tested the very essence of her being.

Meet Maggie, a young woman that has overcome tremendous adversity with a big smile on her face. I see Maggie at the Bristol YMCA from time to time. When I say she works as hard as anyone I sincerely mean that. Not only does she challenge herself, but she is an inspiration to all who meet her.

She works out with Tim and Felecia (trainers at the YMCA) and she has made such great strides in her physical rehabilitation. She gets up out of her wheelchair, with help from her trainers, and does her resistance training with great effort. I have seen her progress, from needing much assistance to doing a lot of things on her own. She walked a couple of weeks ago with no assistance and that was a tremendous tribute to her drive to be well again. Her body has responded beautifully to the physi-cal demands she has placed upon it.

God Bless the Bristol YMCA for the encouragement they have given to Maggie as well.

Maggie’s story began a couple of years ago and here it is in her own words:

» “Dec. 6, 2015: I started my “big adventure” — as my dad called it — in the Bristol ER. I was quickly transferred to UVA Medical Center. I think I got to UVA around 6 that night. You see a year ago I had a hem-orrhage at the base of my brain and the beginning of my spine — a brain stem stroke.

I was sent to UVA where I had three surgeries. One that cleaned up the blood and fixed the cavernous malformation and they placed a trachea and a food tube! (I don’t know the technical names.) The stroke affected things you don’t really think about — cranial nerves, my eyes, hearing, face, swallowing, voice, balance (hence the wheelchair) and a few other things.

Unlike most strokes or brain injuries my cognitive thinking is great. I will walk again and soon, I think. I’ve been very fortunate throughout this journey to have great care and a therapist. I’ve learned a lot: Don’t take today for granted and realize tomorrow isn’t promised.

My mom and dad were by my side the whole time. My mom and dad took turns staying with me. I remember one night in ICU I couldn’t sleep or talk, but I managed to annoy my dad so much he read out loud how to clean your cast iron properly. Anyway, I have been very lucky. Thank you all for all the thoughts and continued prayers.”

Today, her story is very different. I see a vibrant beautiful, joy-filled, strong-willed blonde working so very hard to be totally well again. Her future is very bright. She never gives up or gives into her situation.

What is your excuse? Do not put off your privilege to be active, it is a true gift! Maggie is a great inspiration to us all.

See you in the gym!