My journey to enjoying exercise as a disabled person

As a person with a mobility impairment, I have always struggled to find accessible exercise or any physical activity that I really enjoyed. I had tried various things and even joined a different gym at one time. I never felt like I belonged there. Yet doctors tell me that exercise is good for me and what I should keep doing.

Then I joined the Better gym at Hatfield Leisure Centre. Although it helped to have a personal trainer there to show me how things worked, I quickly felt confident to come alone and try other things out. I went from hating any physical activity to going to the gym several times a week! I have found coming to the gym has improved my physical strength and fitness, but also my mental wellbeing.

I love Hatfield Leisure Centre for the inclusive culture. I am currently one of the faces of the latest fundraising challenge for disability equality charity Scope, Make It Count. I want to share my story and encourage other disabled people to try different physical activities to find something they like and that works for them.