Our New Maindy Marvel Duo
Penny and John are our new Maindy Marvels. Their lives changed when within a few months of each other they both had medical a emergency.
Penny's story
I have been a member and regular user of GLL Better, formally Cardiff CC Leisure services for many years. Over the years I have enjoyed many swimming and gym sessions and taken advantage of the many fitness activity classes on offer. With a professional background in sport and physical activity, some of it within Cardiff County Council’s leisure department, I know and understand the immense physical and well-being benefits associated with regular physical activity so was trying to do all I could to stay fit and well as I age.
It was, therefore, a very unpleasant surprise - actually shock, when I was diagnosed with an inherited condition which meant I was greatly susceptible to high cholesterol levels and required cardiac by-pass surgery. I underwent surgery at UHW and was in hospital for a month. Six weeks after discharge I was able to attend Cardiac rehab sessions at UHW and given the green light to resume ‘normal life’, so resumed my activities with GLL Better
I have to say GLL Better have been amazing – helping with my membership queries and freezing/unfreezing payments as needed. Once I was able to resume activities I explored the options of fitness classes and was impressed with the variety of activities suitable for me, cautiously, starting off again and haven’t looked back since! I regularly swim at Maindy pool and attend fitness classes at both Maindy and Llanishen – I think I am getting fitter and stronger, well at least I feel as though I am!
The best thing about being part of GLL Better is undoubtedly the community that we are and the well-being that arises from the social interaction with others. I have made so many friends – staff as well as other members and everyone is so supportive and kind.
John's story
On the 4th December 2023 at 5.45am, whilst preparing to travel to Maindy Pool for my daily exercise, I suffered, what I now know to be a thunder clap headache. I had suffered a subarachnoid haemorrhage caused by a rupture of a brain aneurysm.
After an operation later the same day and a 2 weeks in hospital, mostly in a high dependency ward I started my convalescence. I had a weakness in my left leg and a body that wanted sleep at every opportunity.
After a career in sports and leisure spanning 38 years the obvious thing for me to do was to start my recovery journey using the facilities at Maindy Pool. So my long journey back to some sort of fitness started in the pool and the gym at Maindy.
As a man in his late 60s, now with a hidden disability my empathy with others with similar challenges has grown. I would recommend that people challenge themselves, and become part of the Maindy Community and make small steps every week.
Not so much Maindy Flyers but Maindy Tryers!
It's great to see Penny and John back to full fitness. They have shown the importance of keeping active and staying positive even in the darkest of times. You are both an inspiration to all those around you and are very deserving of being inducted into the Maindy Marvels!