Going to the gym is a great way to improve one's health, and improve physical recovery. Patti Ellsworth, a longtime member of the Ability360 Sports & Fitness Center, has reaped the benefits of going to the gym on an annual basis to improve her physical well-being.
Ability360’s Sports & Fitness Center provides adaptive sports, recreation, aquatic, and fitness programs that promote the independence, health, and overall well-being of people with disabilities and their family members. Everyone is welcome to utilize the equipment and facility to better their health. Ellsworth came to Ability360 with the goal to improve her own physical health, while she continues her journey with multiple sclerosis.
“Don't ever tell me the odds,” she said of her relationship with M.S. “ … I try not to read the statistics too much anymore because there’s kind of no point.”
Ellsworth has been a member of the Sports & Fitness Center since 2012, when the gym was not even one year old. She found out about it through her physical therapist while she was recovering from a fall that broke her elbow. After some time regularly attending, she saw the benefits in her life and improvements over the past decade.
“My endurance is much better than it used to be 10 years ago,” Ellsworth said. “I like to attribute it to my kick-ass attitude and that I go to the gym and push, push, push.”
Brielle Carter, Senior Manager of Operations of the Sports & Fitness Center, speaks highly of Ellsworth and sees her around the facility all the time. She loves seeing her friendly face around the facility, and how she takes the time to say “hello”.
“She always is here to get better,” Carter said. “She’s always ready to persevere, and wants to do her own thing and get better and ask questions when she needs to and navigate all of our resources to the best of her ability.”
Some days, Ellsworth can walk faster and has more endurance than other days. Over the course of her using the gym, she has seen improvements in her mobility overall.
“It’s so hard to even encapsulate everything here that makes it easier to access,” she said.
All of the workout equipment and the entire facility itself is accessible, making it an option for people of all abilities. Along with the physical improvements, Ellsworth found a wonderful community at Ability360.
Ability360 is a place where she has made new acquaintances and friendly faces to say “hi” to, such as the welcoming front desk staff.
“It’s not just a gym where people are trying to be healthy, it’s also a place where people have some really serious challenges, and you can go there and not feel awkward,” Ellsworth said. “I have super appreciation for the warmth and friendliness that I get going there, and that always makes my spirit buoyant and happy.”
“If they’ve had an injury or an illness or something else, we can just talk as people and that doesn’t have to be the topic of conversation,” she said.
Ability360 is grateful to have such a dedicated member at the Sports & Fitness Center.
