20Dec 2018 by Gill

Cycling

With Christmas so near I was reminiscing about my favourite Christmas present as a child. It was the bike I received when I was around 9 years old. It was purple, and the feeling I got when riding it was amazing.

I cycled 31 miles on my adult size purple bike to York. I visited Get Cycling who have a totally inclusive ethos and believe that anyone should have the option of riding a bike regardless of any ability (or disability) To compliment this they have a range of innovative solutions to enable people.

The adaptations are many and varied. They include magnetic pedals to allow greater connection like a professional cyclist clipping their shoes into their pedals to, low step-through, various options on recumbent bikes and power assist. Here are a few examples with pictures.

Low step-through with back rest supporting the users back and increasing the comfort of the sitting posture

Recumbent bikes are lower to the ground and are easier for some people to get on and off and to pedal. As feet can often slip backwards off the pedals when recumbent cycling a simple strap behind the heel can solve the problem.

This is one of my favourites, the ‘social’ tandem where two riders can sit side by side. It has so
many set up options to offer, such as greater seating
support and adapted pedals. The adaptation enables the option of both people being able
to pedal or for one to be able to take a rest.

Hand cycles allow people with limited or no use of their legs to enjoy the freedom of cycling.

The wheelchair on the bike pictured below can be attached or unhitched and used separately. This means it is a useful form of transport allowing the wheelchair users to experience the wind in their face

Of course, I couldn’t resist a try on a tricycle. It was harder than it looked! As a 2 wheeled bike rider getting the hang of 3 wheels was a challenge!

If you would like a chat about getting cycling please contact us at Positive Positioning. I am sure that working in collaboration with Get Cycling we can find a solution that works for you.

Demi, Oldham

"The service I have received from Gill has been amazing. She is a very knowledgeable person and very caring and wants only best for the person she is helping. She shows compassion and strives to help improve a persons quality of life. I would highly recommend as she is brilliant at the job she does!"

E in Normanton

"I always have a fantastic experience at my physiotherapy sessions. I've had sessions with my therapists Gill and Jan for many months now. They are knowledgeable and took the time to understand and be attentive to my needs. I have always felt at ease with them, supported and encouraged throughout my treatment, and I am steadily making progress with them. They will ensure they work you hard to challenge you and get the most out of the time during the sessions. Thanks to their expertise, I've regained some mobility and confidence in my body. I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking top-notch physiotherapy care!"

Neil Stirk

I've been working with Positive Positioning for circa 4 years now to improve my physical and general wellbeing and I highly recommend their services. I reached the stage where I desperately needed help, although I was initially very weary as previous errors in my treatment by other medical professionals led to my conditions worsening, I was immediately put at ease on meeting Gill.

She spoke to me with professionalism, was genuinely interested in my problems, and more importantly, treated me like the person I am, not just a patient. During this conversation, seemingly little things had been picked up on, even without physical examination, such as my pelvic positioning, that was contributing to my pain. Gill contacted the relevant ppl to get my wheelchair adjusted to sort this problem and it made a massive difference. It was this expertise and eye for detail that was used to improve many areas of my life, often with only small adjustments turning out to be life changing.

When products from external companies were required to improve my conditions, Gill and Positive Positioning were on hand to liaise and attend appointments with suppliers, to ensure the correct equipment was supplied for my needs and prevent me from becoming a victim of the 'hard sell'. Gill and Positive Positioning are always willing to go the extra mile to help out and with my issues being degenerative, it is great to know I can contact them when needed and be confident I will receive the help required.

Coincidentally, I undergo hydrotherapy on a regular basis, where I see Gill and many of her other clients, and the working relationship, and humour that accompanies it, which means so much to me, is apparent with all under her care. I would like to thank Gill and her team for all the support I have received so far and am confident I will continue to receive the help I need in the future. Thank you Positive Positioning.

Caroline Poskitt

"Thank you so much for making a difference to our clients wellbeing. I Can honestly say that I have noticed a difference in the last two weeks, not only the service users looking and acting more healthy but our staff are in high spirits and getting a lot out of your sessions. You have really made a difference for the better and we look forward to the future of helping more of our clients to achieve a higher level of fitness and more durability in their joints."
Deputy Manager, Mental Health & Physical Impairment, Leeds Adult Social Care

Ian, Leeds

"Following a stroke in Nov 2012 which resulted in the loss of use of my left side, I had the statutory ten weeks NHS physio. Not wanting to regress, I went on-line to find a neuro physio. Gill had excellent reviews and has worked with me now for seventeen months with great improvement in my ability. Gill also helped to obtain a stand aid which has been a great bonus. I strongly recommend Gill Arnett as an excellent and very friendly professional."

Chris Wainmann, LLB

"Gill is very approachable and immediately gives you the confidence to know that any problem with posture will be solved. Having Cerebral Palsy and therefore sitting in a powered wheelchair all the time, I was constantly leaning to one side. Gill visited me at home, did a thorough assessment and concluded that my pelvis needed more support. I now have a specially designed and purpose made pressure cushion. I sit more evenly which means more comfortably and I also have much less of a problem with pressure sores. Gill is happy to come back in the future and check that all is well. I have no hesitation in recommending her to anyone with a posture problem. She has made such a difference to my life."

MS of Leeds 2016

"When Louise Haigh (Stroke Co-ordinator) visited me she recommended Positive Positioning for some neuro-physiotherapy. I spoke to Gill who was very helpful, and then to Jan, who said the treatment would be in my own home — this made all the difference to me. And what a difference it has all made!

From the start Jan has been professional, efficient, friendly, encouraging and totally reliable. For ages I felt ‘in limbo’, but having a plan of action led to motivation to do the exercises which were hard, but I persevered, and was encouraged to realise I was improving. I was ‘stretched’ by an increase in repetitions, more exercises, less support. We talked about other things happening in my life, and worked on holistic coping strategies. I feel my confidence has improved and to a large extent have ‘got my life back’. My posture has certainly improved: friends have commented on it.

It doesn’t all come to a sudden halt after the visits. I'm working on my ‘maintenance programme’ of daily exercises to keep up the work Jan started. I'll be forever grateful for Jan’s amazing teaching, reasoning, good communication, wide knowledge of physiotherapy applied to my situation - all with her positive outlook."

Hydrotherapy

I witnessed my sister's first hydrotherapy session 2 days ago, and this was an emotional experience for me as I saw my sister (P) walk for the first time in many years. I was particularly impressed with P's relationship with Gill, the physio. P was clearly very fond of Gill and was thoroughly enjoying the hydro. The bond between therapist and client was clear and obvious, and my sister must benefit hugely from the physical contact with another person whom she is fond of. When she is out of water she is wheelchair bound and therefore cannot experience hugs and close physical contact with another human being, which is important for all of us.

Gill has known P for 15 years and P is benefiting greatly from this therapeutic relationship.

Many thanks,Gill

Dr Andrew E. Cohen