“After I started treatment I slowed down and stopped being as active as I was. My endurance got worse so I struggled keeping up with hobbies and dog walks. It really frustrated me.” – Oscar
Oscar loves being active. He always has.
But ongoing chemotherapy to reduce a tumour on his optical nerve makes it so difficult. Sessions leave him sick and exhausted, sometimes for days. And treatment related complications only make things worse.
“Chemo makes Oscar very tired. He’s also had a bit of peripheral neuropathy and has weakness in his hands and fingers.” – Sarah, Oscar’s mum
“I developed a drop foot and started tripping on things.” – Oscar
Long dog walks he enjoyed with his family had to be cut short. The hobbies he loved became almost unplayable. But none of this took away Oscar’s desire to move.
In fact, he had just taken up bouldering and was determined to find a way to help himself.
So when the paediatric oncologist at the Piam Brown ward recommended Momentum Fitness Charity, Oscar was ready to try.
A nervous Sarah arrived hoping Oscar would regain the body confidence he had lost and find relief from his peripheral neuropathy.
Oscar was nervous too, but he arrived excited to improve his endurance and reduce the impact of his drop foot.
This is his story.
“Oscar walked into our first session with such positivity despite his frustrations around treatment symptoms. We talked about everything he wanted to achieve.” – Daryl, exercise therapist.
The first week of our PB-Active programme is so important.
It’s where we find out who the person is behind the diagnosis and what the child facing us wants to achieve.
Some children want to improve their strength. Others want to rebuild their confidence. Some aren’t sure what it is they’re looking for. But every child we see has their own individual needs. That’s why flexibility is so important.
Oscar’s was constantly tripping over, his endurance was at an all-time low and his fatigue was going to impact every future session differently. But after our very first chat, he tackled the first week with the same cheerful determination that would become his trademark.
We incorporated kettlebell and barbell movements to improve grip strength for his bouldering and programmed machine work to target his endurance levels.
“Daryl adapts the sessions every step of the way for Oscar. It’s so nice to have someone training and guiding him who knows what’s going on in terms of treatment.” – Sarah
“Daryl adjusted exercises and drills to suit my struggles but still challenge me. We started sessions with feet exercises to help with my drop foot.” – Oscar
There were weeks where the effect of treatment took its toll on Oscar. But the consistency of his effort never faltered. The smile he bought to sessions was always there despite his obvious fatigue.
Some were cut short. Others were adapted to meet his energy levels. But as the weeks went on, his tiredness faded.
“Training made a huge difference to my endurance which made me realise how much better and happier exercise made me feel.” – Oscar
Oscar went on to beat every single baseline test he set in week one. His progress was so noticeable that he undertook a second set of sessions.
Oscar can now squat weight five times heavier than when he started and shaved an incredible six minutes off the workout he trained for over ten weeks.
The improvements Oscar has made inside the gym have been obvious. But the impact to his life outside is what make Momentum Fitness Charity what it is.
Long dog walks with his family are back.
“I can go on dog walks without regular breaks. I can run to catch up with people without being really out of breath.” – Oscar
Fears around tripping over all the time have gone.
“I push myself harder and my endurance has increased almost back to normal other than dips after treatments. My drop foot has pretty much gone.” – Oscar
Hobbies that felt off the table are back.
“I can now do things I love more easily. Thank you so much.” – Oscar
Ongoing treatment is still a reality for Oscar. But his ability to push himself despite everything he faces is remarkable.
“I cannot tell you how impressed I am by Oscar’s determination and strength of character. Every session with him has been a genuine pleasure.” – Daryl
And Sarah, who arrived more nervous than the son she accompanied has had the chance to watch her child develop through it all.
“Momentum sessions are absolutely wonderful. I can’t thank everyone enough. My son has gained so much from it. It’s strengthened his mind and his body. In particular, his hands and feet where he had weakness. It’s improved his climbing which is a new hobby this has, well…basically made him happy which is the main thing.” – Sarah