Rita Hartman visited the YMCA at the invitation of a neighbor who asked her to attend water aerobics class. She was a little hesitant to come to the Y after recovering from stage two breast cancer, but she was ready to start something new. At her first water aerobics class, she met Heike.
Heike was very warm and accepting of any level that Rita felt comfortable starting with. Heike later talked to Rita about entering the Smart Start program, so that she would be set up with a plan and have the support she needed to be successful. Rita felt that Heike went out of her way to meet her exactly where she was in her wellness journey.
“Heike made it comfortable for me to be productive and healthy without feeling bad for myself,” she said. She has enjoyed group exercise classes, especially chair yoga. “Meeting people in class is energizing. No one gets excluded,” Rita said. “Working towards health together exemplifies what the Y stands for!”
She feels our staff at the Y are extremely kind and welcoming. She has been so encouraged that she has begun to lift weights to continue to build strength. She has found that through yoga and strength training, she has been able to break up scar tissue, allowing for more freedom of movement and decrease in pain. She feels much stronger physically and emotionally, plus she has built friendships through her Y membership. She can face the stresses that life throws at her.
Rita’s story continues to inspire all the friends she meets here at the Y. Our staff are always happy to see her when she comes in. We are a better community with Rita around. She brings joy, humor and inspiration.