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Here are some of the stories from folks who have been participating for some or all of the last 6 years (since the start of Covid-19.)
Susan: Falls — I fell and broke my arm. After that I was afraid I would trip and fall every time I took a walk. But now I’m back to walking. I pay more attention when I walk, but I am confident. I feel strong. Sadly, when I told my doctor about my fall and fear of falling, he said, "What do you expect? You're getting old!"
Jessica: Weight issues — for a lifetime. A life sentence. I’ve tried to lose weight. Lost and gained. Lost and gained. And I’ve tried to keep to an exercise program. To become able to move with confidence and pleasure. I’m 76 years old now, and I’m back on my feet again—so to speak! I can’t believe it, but I’ve really stuck to this. I just seem to feel better and better. Having fun! I’m doing my art outdoors— “in plein air!” I moved across the country with my cat. I’ve seriously lost a lot of weight. I don’t know exactly how or why, but this program has really helped me lift a great obstacle.
Carol: Joint mobility and pain—It's gotten hard to get around and keep it together. Seemed like everything was just getting worse. But this really is the right exercise. It doesn’t make it all better. But I always feel better after I exercise with “GET YOUR ZOOM ON." This has helped me feel more hopeful and positive.
Byron: Stroke—Where to begin? Hard to walk, hard to talk. Afraid of falling. In a nanosecond my life changed. But to be able to join with other folks, move with music, and reconnect with my body. Dancing even. To quote Fritz, another participant,
“It’s brilliant.”
Mary: Paralysis of muscles of lower leg—I thought, How am I going to walk now? I was a ballet dancer. A hiker. A lover of nature. But here in this program I participate with friends who live nearby in our small town or even folks from all over the US. I I come in from my work in my garden. And log onto “GET YOUR ZOOM ON” and get a wonderful workout. This online class has helped restore my joy in movement, in the outdoors, and in participating with friends and family.
Ann: Taking care of my mother, now, at 107 years old! We have both been coming to this program for a long time—when we can. There is a special spirit of encouragement in the classes—participants can do what they can, rest when needed, and still be successful. It’s fun, not intimidating. It’s really been good for both of us. This class has created a sense of community.
Kristy: I like moving to the music she picks. I’m a professional musician, and Susan is an amateur musician. We connect that way. This class has really been great for my sister. I think she REALLY needs it and REALLY enjoys it. And she feels “apart of something she loves!”
Sharon: My posture and balance. My sister connected me to this class. I sit up straighter; now I feel more confident in general. It’s helped my self-esteem. I knew I should be exercising, but I wasn’t. Now I feel like I’m doing something really good for myself. I feel like I’m a part of something. It feels great!
Peggy: I was an occupational therapist. I say, this program really works! I am an 81-year-old with osteoarthritis throughout my body and have been part of “GET Your Zoom On" for four or five years—working on my strength, flexibility, and balance. I have not experienced any falls, probably due to my ability to recover balance during a stumble. Discomfort, especially in my hips and knees, has significantly eased, increasing my stamina and flexibility with daily activities and also improving my sleep comfort. Just standing up from a chair is so easy now! The emphasis on posture has been most helpful to me! Even my family notices. My posture awareness has increased — whatever I’m doing. I do enjoy exercising with the group, which has become a community over the years. This connection with other people both inspires my participation and keeps me going! Exercise is not a natural draw for me but I look forward to these classes, even on days when I’m tired and would rather not... I can carry on and feel better for it!
Gail: I really feel so much better. Being able to move, to walk, to climb stairs, to go outside, to drive. To get around and out into the world. These are all such essential abilities for older people, to be able to have a life! Exercise is such an important way to help keep these abilities as long as possible.
Ani: Last but not least. “I have been in class since Covid. Really! That feels amazing to me. These classes bring me joy every single time. Susan’s upbeat attitude and years of PT knowledge and experience bring motivation and opportunities for all of us. My mood is better. We celebrate each other. And the music, the rhythm, the beats, the open cultural world. It helps that she tells us, "You got this," every time. My overall sense of movement keeps surprising me. I walk better and balance better, and despite three falls in 2024, I have returned to more confidence in my approach to walking more steadily and looking downward as much as I can. I can garden on the hills in our yard, which takes balance and agility and endurance. When I have pain in my back or hips, the day after exercising, the pain recedes. Hugs and thank you to Susan and to this community—I feel part of!
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