Strength for Daily Living through Exercise at UCSS

By Kateryna Kapuszczak

Everyday, I thank God for giving me good health and strength to do my daily living.  And I get this strength through physical fitness.

Many years ago, I travelled to Europe with two friends. I was enjoying sightseeing and the marvels of Europe until one day, we were in an automobile accident. We were all hurt. My injuries were burns to my legs and a compound fracture of the right femur. I required surgery. Doctors inserted a rod and pins to hold my femur in tact but did nothing for the burns on my legs.  When I returned home to Toronto, I was admitted immediately to hospital where the medical staff prepped me for surgery and skin-grafted the burns. When I started to walk again, I noticed that when I got up from a sitting position, it took me a few minutes to start walking. The rod that was inserted into my leg was too long and was jarring into my hip joints. I have no medical knowledge but this did not seem right to me. I went to an orthopaedic specialist and wanted the rod taken out, but the doctor said that the femur has not healed yet and it would be dangerous to take the rod out. I insisted. I looked at 20 years ahead of me and if the rod were to be constantly jabbing into the hip joint, I saw that I would have more problems. Eventually, the doctor gave in to my insistence and the rod was removed. I had problems right away but I started to do all sorts of exercises to help me strengthen my legs. It hurt so much while doing the exercises but through persistence in work-out routines and resistance exercises, I have to say that today I have no pain. I gained strength and I am able to do all daily living chores with ease.

Now, as a personal fitness trainer, I train people and help them achieve good physical health. Your body is the temple of your soul, treat it well, and it will treat you well.

 Kateryna Kapuszczak is a trainer with the Physical Exercises for Seniors program at the Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (Toronto) that takes place every Tuesday and Thursday at 10:30 am. This program is currently free of charge and among other innovative programs at UCSS.

For more information about UCSS programs please call Grygoriy Chorniy, Volunteer Program Coordinator at 416-763-4982, visit www.tor.ucss.info/News.htm or check facebook page www.facebook.com/pages/Toronto-ON/Ukrainian-Canadian-Social-Services-Toronto-Inc/65451246557