LifeStyle health and fitness studio aids recovery from horror
crash - 31/10/06
A Vale of Glamorgan man has hailed the Council's LifeStyle
Health & Fitness studio at Llantwit Major Leisure Centre for
helping him rebuild his life following a horrific motor
accident.
Boverton resident and car enthusiast Rob Carrier cheated death
to survive a serious crash nearly three years ago. Now, with the
help of a massive support network, he is slowly but surely putting
his life back together. Rob’s rehabilitation progress led him to
join the LifeStyle studio and his health is improving – practically
on a daily basis.
In the traumatic accident on 18th January 2004, Rob sustained
multiple injuries that included his upper left leg being smashed to
pieces, a fractured pelvis, massive muscle damage to his left
shoulder, as well as the significant mental effects caused by the
turmoil. Rob's life was undoubtedly saved when the Welsh Air
Ambulance team airlifted him from the scene to hospital. He then
spent a fortnight in hospital, countless painful months recovering,
and in November 2005 had to undergo a second operation.
Gradually and painfully, Rob’s health at last started to improve
from March 2006 thanks to his courage, coupled with support from
his wife, two sons and an excellent medical team that included;
David Boswell from Barry Hospital, Dr. K. Mohanty from the Cardiff
Trust Hospital and Dr. Martin Morris from Llantwit Major.
In March 2006, over two years on from the accident, Rob
registered at the recently refurbished LifeStyle Health and Fitness
studio at Llantwit Major to aid his recovery.
Dr. Morris then referred Rob to the National Lottery funded
'Active for Life' scheme. The twelve-week referral scheme is
designed for anyone in the community who would like to improve
their medical condition and/or state of health by increasing their
activity levels. Professionals felt that joining the scheme would
benefit Rob’s progress further, and he was able to start his
LifeStyle programme.
The state of the art ‘Technogym’ equipment allows you to watch
your choice of television channel whilst you train, listen to
music, and instantly access your personal training programme and
fitness report. Chris Jones, the Manager of LifeStyle Health &
Fitness at Llantwit Major ensures that every customer is able to
get the most out of the facility.
Highlighting some of Rob’s results achieved in just five months,
Chris said: “His cardiovascular system improved by 50%, his
strength has doubled and he has leapt from burning one hundred and
fifty calories a session to six hundred.” The figures also revealed
that the hard work that Rob has undertaken allows him to spend
longer at LifeStyle as his fitness improves. Chris added: “Rob
initially and correctly was spending about half an hour a session,
while he now regularly stays with us for over an hour a time and
even participated in our charity sporting event earlier in the
year.”
In September, Rob received the excellent news from his surgeon
that his remaining leg fracture had finally healed. Whilst he still
has to use a walking stick, Rob stays ever committed to his
training programme and focuses on his goal that one day he may be
able to drive up to the mountains and be strong enough to walk
safely to admire the Glamorgan Heritage Coastline, as he used to
before his accident.
Speaking about how activity at LifeStyle has assisted in his
recovery, Rob enthused: “The team has been phenomenal; Chris, Lewis
and Andrew have genuinely cared about me. There’s a sense of
camaraderie with other customers”. Rob urges anyone thinking of
joining: “If you don’t try you don’t win and there is no pain
without gain!” Rob is clearly winning his battle of recovery and
added: “Back in March this year I could not fit into some of my
clothes. Now my trousers are loose on me and I feel so much better.
I will continue training as it is part of my life.”
For further LifeStyle Health & Fitness information, call
01446 732457, or for details about the Active for Life scheme call
01446 725959 or Llantwit Major Leisure Centre on 01446 793947.
Alternatively, you can visit www.valeofglamorgan.gov.uk