The Challenge
One small step for everyone else, one big step for me!  I have hip dysplasia. My left hip just doesn’t move well, so I used to avoid moving. But then I slowly started to notice that I was losing the ability to do things. I was not able to walk the three blocks from the bus stop to work any more. I had to take a break half way. Taking stairs was getting harder. My hip would hurt and I would be so exhausted that I had to rest before walking any further. I began to feel that my body was out of control! I was scared.

The Moment
I woke up one day and said “enough is enough.” I knew something had to change. I was letting my hip get the best of me.  I’d heard about a wellness program at the local fitness centre. The program helped people learn how to exercise safely and to develop a regular routine. There were education classes, nutrition counselling and classes to try different physical activities. The fitness centre was accessible (no stairs and it was close to me, so I could walk there pretty easily). I was nervous but thought I might as well try. What did I have to lose?

The Change
It was really hard at first, learning what would work with my body and what wouldn’t. Of course I couldn’t do all the exercises but I could do a lot more then I thought. The instructors took the time to explain the importance of different exercises that would help build the strength in my legs, arms and my back. This strength would help me move. I learned about stretches to help with my flexibility and new ways that helped me to walk longer. I found there was a lot I could do in a gym, at home and outside to make myself stronger.
There were ways to work with my hip. It no longer seemed such a barrier. I began to enjoy moving.

The Best Part
I can now walk the whole three blocks to work from my bus stop, no problem! Stairs will always be a challenge, but I am no longer breathless at the top and the pain is a lot less. But the really, really best part is that I now have the strength and movement in my hip to take a step up on to a sidewalk without using the ramp. This is something I could never do before!