Gym gives amputees 'confidence to go through door'

Wendy Bearton says the gym sessions involve amputees working together as a team

An amputee who said she felt too embarrassed to enter a gym because of how she looked has urged other people in the same position to join a new charity fitness class.

Wendy Bearton, 61, from King's Lynn in Norfolk, had a leg amputated above the knee in 2018 before becoming a volunteer for Cambridgeshire-based charity Steel Bones.

The grandmother of seven has now helped launch a weekly fitness session for the charity in Norwich at a gym set up specifically for people with disabilities.

"It’s designed to get amputees fit or as fit as possible and to help with cardio, lifting, balance, flexibility – all the core strengths needed to have a happier amputation life," she said.

Orthopaedic surgeon Rachael Hutchinson co-founded the Able2B gym with former professional boxer Jon Thaxton six years ago

The free classes - held on Fridays at the Able2B gym in Norwich - have been something that Ms Bearton wished had been available following her life-changing surgery.

"I did go along to [another gym] – I got as far as the door and there were all these beautiful gym bodies and I just thought ‘I can’t do this’," she said.

"I didn’t feel very confident – yes, I’ve got a very bright socket because I’m loud and proud of my leg – but I still didn’t have the confidence to go through that door."

Ms Bearton, who is the charity's volunteer co-ordinator for Norfolk, said it was an experience she had heard echoed by other amputees, who also had fears over how they would practically use the equipment.

The gym class - which has just been granted more funding to extend its run of sessions - was one of a number of free sessions and events run nationally by the civilian amputee charity.

'Core strength'

The former Citizens' Advice worker said the gym sessions were vital to help amputees to stop feeling isolated.

In some cases they have been the first time they had met other amputees.

Ms Bearton said she had been relieved to have her lower leg removed after a series of unsuccessful knee replacements left her in such pain that she was forced to sleep in a chair for three years.

During that time she also gained weight as she was unable to walk.

Ahead of her amputation she underwent a gastric bypass and lost 12 stone (76kg), but found her physical strength was limited.

"Although I was slimmer, I still wasn’t very fit," she said.

"You need core strength to be able to walk on a prosthetic limb because you use so much more energy.

"The only way for me to have a life was to have the amputation... yes, you have to do things differently but you can still do them."

Anyone wanting to join the classes should first register at the Steel Bones website.