We are looking to help our local athletic Clubs
So having recovered from Wembley last month (that’s the only mention of football this month, I promise!) we are now into the, finally, sunny month of June. The summer months bring all of the summer sports and sports injuries that we treat at Cleve Chiropractic and Next Step. Without giving names away for data protection purposes, we are now seeing a number of GB tennis players and GB track runners. Despite the lack of press these guys get, Bristol really does produce quite a few talented athletes. We are seeing a number of different athletes from both Yate and Whitehall athletics clubs and tennis players from various local clubs and the main training base in the region, Team Bath Tennis Academy.
Since working at London 2012 I have become friends with many of the coaches and athletes from the local athletic clubs. They are such great clubs that are full of friendly people and truly world-class coaches.
One particular patient who came to see me regarding her back complaint 3 or so years ago was a young lady called Bethany Tucker. She was also frustrated with her cerebral palsy (CP). Having worked with GB CP athletes for the London Paralympics at Bath University training village I knew that sprinting could be a potential avenue for Beth to explore. I worked with Rob Elchuck (a superb experienced Canadian sprint coach working for GB). Working with Rob at the track I also met with Mark Lodge, the sprint coach working with Elite and amateur athletes at Yate athletics club. I put Beth in touch with Mark (as it was conveniently Beth’s local club as well) and soon enough Beth started to show her potential as a 100m sprinter. Mark was so impressed with her aptitude to sprinting that he soon put her into Paralympic criteria testing and Beth is now officially a T37 athlete. Beth is performing so well that in one 100m race this season she smashed her personal best and came 2nd in the UK. All of the people around Beth have witnessed the transformation in her. It’s not just that she is running so well in such a short period of time, she is happier, more focused and satisfied with life than I have ever known her. She no longer sees her CP as a ‘disability’ rather she sees it as a ticket to greatness. CP no longer defines her as she develops her strong, contented independence leading to success in life as well as sport. If you know of anybody with CP or any other ‘Paralympic potential condition’ who you think could be helped from the all round benefits of athletics then please seek out Mark at Yate athletics club. If you would like a chance to talk to Beth then you will be able to find her training at Yate or on her Twitter page, @BTuckerT37.
Finally, for the Mollyettes who lambasted me for not mentioning her at all last month, she is now firmly walking and climbing. It’s a really fun age as she can now explore all of the world from 2ft tall and learn that not all things taste nice, like mud, stones, buttercups, insects and feathers (sigh).
