"You are keeping me healthy mind & body"

Here is another life-affirming story of how the YMCA makes a difference. This is from a member at the Downtown Y:

I am a Polio survivor. Currently I suffer from Post-Polio Syndrome. I have been a YMCA member for the last 4 years. Once a year I go through a couple of very specific tests, namely EMG, MRI and CT Scans w/ contrast. My last was last week. Four years in a row the results came back indicating: No change. This is considered good, since the expectations are a decline in the Muscle & Nerve functions. My Neurologists contribute this to my continuous work outs either at the 5th floor gym or the pool, and to being highly motivated.

In fact, much of it is due to you, the staff at the Downtown YMCA. Machines, water, chlorine, etc are all almost the same at every health club facility. What differs are the management and the staff. Your heartfelt compassion and care dictated an open door policy without any structural obstacles. I always felt like I am part of your family. You are much open to any suggestion, idea or remark. The staff I deal with to name a few: Joe, Pat, Joel, Sam, Mike, Jason, Cassie and many others on the 2nd, 3rd & 5th floors. You are always cheerful, kind, thoughtful and compassionate. Your level of tolerance is exceptional. Trust me; you are keeping me healthy mind & body. You have a gift: Care & Kindness. Thanks a million Cassie. Thanks a million Jason. Thank you ALL.

Your YMCA Stories

Here's a testimonial from the Emma B. Howe Family YMCA:

On January 18, 2007, I went into the hospital with extreme chest pain. I had an artery on the right side of my heart that was closed 99% and a blood clot in that artery. The doctor put a stint in my heart. I was out of the hospital in two days. I have 13 grandchildren. I wanted to be here awhile longer for them. So I cut the portions I eat to half of what I was eating. I cut out fried foods and most animal products. The doctors said I should exercise three times a week.

I joined the YMCA in Coon Rapids and I joined the Silver Sneakers group. I exercise five days a week, three hours daily. Besides the benefit of the exercise, I have met a lot of outgoing, friendly peole. So far I have lost twenty-five pounds. My blood pressure and sugar count are normal, this is without taking medications. I still ahve some weight to lose, but I have no doubt I will lose the weight.

The YMCA has social functions for seniors that has also fulfilled a need for myself and my husband. The YMCA has enriched our lives! Seven months after my surgery, I started working part-tiome for the YMCA in maintenance. Thank you YMCA!

Your YMCA Stories

From time to time we like to share stories from our members as to how the YMCA has changed their lives for the better. Here's one, from a member at Emma B. Howe:

I am excited about the scholarship I got to be able to use all the services at the YMCA. I'm on disability and my funds are limited. I was not able to afford the whole cost of a membership. My favorite activity at the YMCA is the pool, because I have arthritis and I am overweight. The pool helps me get exercise whithout causing discomfort to my arthritis. I also like to be able to walk when there's bad weather, rain or snow. The tread mill and exercise equipment allows me this leisure. I also attend the many classes that are offered here at the YMCA. I want to thank all the people who help with their contributions to Y Partners. Because of their continued support I am able to emjoy my membership here. Thank you to all the workers who make it comfortable for me to attend the YMCA. The workers are always nice and caring. I would also like to thank Sharron Robillard for getting me started.

This is another example of how the YMCA makes a difference in our communities because of the generosity of people who contribute to the Y Partners annual fundraising campaign. It also couldn't happen without the dedication of the thousands of people working at the YMCA. It's why we're more than just a swim and gym!

Northwest YMCA - Providing a Sense of Belonging and Community

We'd like to share with you a letter from a Northwest YMCA member receiving financial assistance:

I am so grateful for the opportunity to belong to the YMCA. Without financial assistance I would not be able to take advantage of all the wonderful programs, classes and opportunities the YMCA has to offer. During this past year, my life changed dramatically. I could no longer work and started receiving disability benefits. In order to make ends meet, I also had to seek assistance through the state and county services. This was a humbling and at times humiliating process for me and I felt very ashamed that I needed help and was embarrassed to even ask for an application for financial aid at the Y. However, from the moment I turned in my application to the process of interviewing, I never felt judged. I was so nervous about coming my first day. I thought everyone would know that I couldn’t really afford to be there, that they would think I wasn’t good enough to be there, that I wouldn’t be able to use all parts of the Y because I wasn’t a “real” member. None of that happened… from the first day I came, I felt accepted and like a member of a community.

Being a member of the Y has been beneficial to me in many ways. The first and most basic is that being able to be physically active has helped me to stay healthy enough to do what I need to do to continue on my healing journey. It improves my mood, helps me manage my anxiety and helps me feel strong and empowered. Another way the Y has benefited me is by providing a sense of belonging and community.

In the midst of everything else that happened over the last year, I lost my mother. She was a single parent and when she passed away, it felt like I lost my family. I have good friends, but no family. Coming to the Y every morning and being greeted, usually by name, means more to me than I can even express. There are days where getting out of bed or leaving my house feels too hard, but the Y is a safe and comforting refuge for me and is a wonderful place to start my day. It feels good to belong somewhere. Again, thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to be a member of the Northwest YMCA.