A BROMSGROVE man has launched a pilot rehabilitation class to help stoke survivors on their road to recovery.
Pete Rumbold, who suffered a stroke in 2011, has joined forces with the Altered Images gym and the town’s Life After Stroke Centre to launch the community exercise programme.
The Action for Rehabilitation from Neurological Injury (ARNI) classes are being tried out by three lucky hopefuls in a 12-week trial, with hour-long sessions, at Altered Images.
Pete has recently completed his instructor training at the ARNI Institute, and is excited to be able to help the town’s stroke survivors with partial paralysis make as full a recovery as possible.
The sessions will involve exercises which pinpoint weaknesses and give specific exercises to strengthen those weaker areas, supporting people to take charge of their own recovery.
“After my stroke I soon realised the stroke care pathway was sadly lacking with NHS cutbacks and the obligatory six weeks’ after care was not enough.” Pete said.
“I decided I would like to give stroke survivors an option to carry on their rehabilitation. The Stroke Association’s Life After Stroke Centre has been great in weekly exercise classes, but I wanted do teach others to help in their recovery.
“To be involved in the ARNI Exercise Pilot means I can be there for other stroke survivors, and hopefully make a difference to their life.”
Paul Costello, Altered Images’ owner, said: “We’re really excited to be part of the launch of this new pilot in Bromsgrove and we’re especially proud to have it here at our gym.
“We’ve always been keen to help local stroke survivors in the area and think the Stroke Association do an amazing job for stroke survivors and their families in the community.
“The benefits of exercise on the physical and mental well-being of stroke survivors are well documented and exercise can be a significant contributory factor to enabling independent living, so we’re looking forward to the success of this pilot.”
Survivors who would like ARNI training on a one-to-one basis should call Pete on 01527 874395.
