A new partnership between St. Joseph’s Health Care London and the YMCA of Southwestern Ontario is helping people with disabilities stay active after they finish hospital rehabilitation.

The program aims to support participants’ recovery by providing a safe place and the right guidance to continue exercising and rebuilding their strength after leaving the hospital. The collaboration, known as the adapted fitness program, is a pilot initiative aimed at supporting former rehabilitation patients as they continue their fitness journeys in the community.

Participants meet twice a week at the YMCA Centre Branch in London for guided workouts, where trained staff help them follow the exercise plans they started during rehabilitation. Rick Letton, who recently finished rehab at the Parkwood Institute, said the program has made a big difference for him, as he was worried he would not continue exercising or find the right place.

The program offers two supported hours on the fitness floor with trained staff who understand the needs of people with disabilities and help them follow their exercise plans. Beyond fitness, the program also helps people build friendships and social connections.

Source: Reta Ismail, CTV News