Getting married is supposed to be in sickness and in health until death does you part. However, this rule has it’s exceptions, and one of them was to Riona Kelly.
At just 37 years old, a spinal stroke paralyzed her from the waist down. Doctors said she was unlikely ever to walk again. When someone gets a diagnosis like this, it is life-changing and can cause a lot of upset and confusion about where to go next.
Specialist doctors like dr timothy steel and his colleagues will always do what they can to help those who are affected by something this serious, however, the diagnosis may be solid, and figuring out a way to navigate this new part of life is essential. Perhaps, this is the time when affected individuals might need to consider asking for help to support their daily activities. However, some who do not want to be a burdensome mess to their families might look for disability support from the likes of Focus Care (interested individuals can search for NDIS provider on the Internet to learn more about the firm). They can hire a support worker from the likes of the above-mentioned firm who can not only accompany them wherever they want to go but also can help with household chores and provide personal care.
After having 14 years together her husband suddenly leaves her and their four children after just five days in the hospital. “If someone had given me the choice I would have ended my life, I didn’t want to live anymore,” she said.
Riona’s only reliance were friends and hospital staff to get her through this tragic time.
“It was the time I needed my husband the most,” Kelly confessed about the moment he decided to walk out, but added, “Looking back, I was miserable in my marriage, but we had built a life together and had responsibilities,” Viral Thread quotes her.
Kelly explained that learning to use a wheelchair and continue her life as a mother was difficult. Many struggle with the transition, and while there are many good options out there (like a folding electric wheelchair, for instance).
However, her story wasn’t irredeemable and was about to change after meeting trainer and former Rugby League player Keith Mason.
She was determined to defy doctors and continued with her physical rehabilitation.
“No personal trainers wanted to work with me, but somebody recommended that Keith did a little bit in his spare time,” she explained. “That’s how I ended up training with Keith.”
And it turned out to be the best choice as now Kelly has learned how to stand, take her first steps, and even climb stairs again, while leaving doctors dumbfounded at her progress.
“I now only need my wheelchair to go long distances, but my home hasn’t been adapted, so I try not to use it,” Kelly said. It’s true, a wheelchair can be difficult to maneuver around if the house hasn’t been adapted. It may be necessary to install ramps, stairlifts, or residential elevators in order to move around the house comfortably. Taking into account the fact that an electric stairlift might be the most convenient and affordable option, Kelly and Keith could look into electric stairlift cost and get one installed for their home. But it doesn’t change the fact that it is a huge change in someone’s life. “Looking back, going through what I did was the best thing to ever happen to me. I’m now back in the gym, and with Keith’s help I’m getting better and stronger than ever,” says Kelly.
Kelly has also started the charity Go Pink, which focuses on fitness and nutrition, particularly for those with physical disabilities. The pair also acts as ambassadors for various other disability-related charities such as Para-dance and Wakefield Trinity Physical Disabilities Rugby League.
The best thing Keith brought to her mind is the understanding that her abilities are truly limitless.
“He’s shown me that I can go on to do whatever I want to do. You want to model – you can do it, you want to set up your own company – you can do it, you want to be a motivation speaker – you can do it. Everythng I’ve said I want to do, I’m doing it,” Kelly said.