Why Support Matters - My Journey with AIMS

I first got involved with AIMS through my job as a Healthcare Support Worker, helping Morag, Liz, and Sandra set up the Thursday exercise class. These days, I take part in the Westhill class myself as a participant, after some health issues. Through it all, the support I’ve received from the group has been invaluable. Their kindness is overwhelming.

After years of treatment for a stiff neck, I was investigated in late 2023 for unusual neurological symptoms. I experienced burning and freezing sensations on one side of my body and couldn’t sense temperature, leading to a burn once or twice. The other side grew weak, and I eventually lost dexterity in my left hand, unable to type or get out of bed without a lever. I could no longer go to work.

A scan in February 2024 revealed a large Grade 1 Meningioma on my brain stem, with surgery as the only option. Following an 11-hour operation and complications, I required further surgery to insert a VP shunt after several lumbar punctures. I was finally discharged from hospital in May 2024.

I came for coffee at first, and felt a huge boost in seeing everyone again after so many months. The exercises have been ideal to help improve my strength and balance, both of which still require further rehab due to scarring from the surgery and the pressure of the, now completely removed tumour. Each week depending on how I feel, I can push myself or just take things more easily as far as exercising goes. 

Morag and Liz are always there for helpful advice. Morag will help with any particular queries or concerns, and adapt the exercises accordingly for us all individually. Everyone made me feel most welcome back as a participant and a year later I still love attending as much as I can. The group inspires me to keep going as I know they too deal with daily health issues and pain, and yet still manage to smile and show each other compassion, even on a bad day.

I feel very lucky that I have made such good progress, to the extent that I was able to go back to my HSCW job with the NHS at the end of last year and AIMS has played a massive part in that. I cannot thank them enough. AIMS is a supportive community, and I would encourage anyone with a neurological condition to join us. "

Thank you to Jenny for sharing her Story.

Reproduced here by kind permission on the Author.

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