YMCA of Columbia-Willamette Sherwood Regional Family YMCA Testimonials

Testimonials
Please read these personal testimonies and see what people are saying about the Sherwood Regional Family YMCA.

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12-Weeks to Fitness Leads to Life Changes
At 200 pounds Nancy McKinney decided it was time for a change and enrolled in our 12-Weeks to Fitness Program. Nancy now works out six days a week, eats a balanced diet, has lost 65 pounds and works part time at the YMCA. Nancy says, “I feel fantastic. Anything I can do to keep in shape and stay strong helps me do the things I like to.” Nancy met Personal Fitness Program Coordinator Marty Brown during the program. Marty tells us, “Nancy really committed to regular exercise. Her dedication to exercise has been a motivator to many members and to me.”

Gift of YMCA Membership Slims Down Family
Mother and daughter team, Doreen Reed and Kori Werner, recently completed a personal fitness program with the YMCA. They were motivated to start exercising after receiving a gift of a YMCA membership. Doreen credits the staff and members at the Y for making her feel comfortable. She says, “It has been a lifesaver.”

Teen Center, Get Off That Couch!
Peter Lam is a member of the Sherwood Teen Center and participates in the Youth Advisory Council. He says before he was a participant, “I was a couch potato watching television and doing nothing.” Lam got involved because he wanted something meaningful to do. Because of the YMCA Lam says, “I am now more active and participate more.” He thinks the YMCA is a great place to be and wants everyone to get involved. Lam is a recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award at the Sherwood Regional Family YMCA.

Making Workouts a Priority
Eighteen months ago when Susie Long-Clark joined the Sherwood Regional Family YMCA she weighed an unhealthy 266. A life of inactivity had finally caught up with her. Today Susie has lost more than 100 pounds and credits her success to regular workouts at the Y, a buddy system and healthful eating. Starting with the 12-week program, today she exercises five days a week including weight lifting and a Pilates class. Susie says, “The class is hard, but the instructor is great.” Susie has also learned portion control and eats more fruits and vegetables as well as lean protein. According to Susie, "I want to live a better life and be comfortable in my own skin. It's nice to be a good role model for my kids now."

Gifts to the YMCA Go a Long, Long Way
More than ten years ago Bill Moore donated to the capital campaign drive to build the Sherwood Regional Family YMCA. A few years later he decided to look for a personal trainer and a nice place to train. Bill visited the Sherwood Regional Family YMCA, was impressed with the facility and the quality of the staff, and became a member. Melanie Meyer has been his personal trainer at the YMCA for the past five or six years. “She’s a wonderful trainer and a wonderful friend. I’ve been to her home for dinner and see her in Hawaii when I’m over there. Sometimes I can be away for months at a time, but I always come back to train with Melanie.” According to Bill, “Melanie has kept me going, helping me recover from heart trouble and injuries.”

Parkinson’s Exercise Class
Sixty-four year old Greg South was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease four years ago and jokingly says, “This is not a fun disease.” He’s not kidding. There is an estimated 1.5 million people living with Parkinson’s with 60,000 new cases diagnosed annually. Parkinson’s is a neurodegenerative disease that causes overall slowness and difficulty with moving, impairing the sufferer's motor skills and speech.

In 2006 the Sherwood Regional Family YMCA started their first exercise class for people with Parkinson's. There are now 12 regular participants in varying stages of progression as well as spouses and caregivers. For many of the participants the class has made a positive and significant difference in their lives and gives them something to look forward to.

Vera Darling, who was diagnosed in 2001, attends the class three days a week with her caregiver. “Although I sometimes want to stay home I know I would be in a wheelchair without this class.” Caregiver Lori Cheng agrees, “Vera’s friends and family have noticed dramatic changes. She has more energy and a much better attitude. The benefits are significant.”

According to Nancy Nelson, Senior Program Director and one of the class instructors, “It's just as important as the strong bonds they have created and the positive attitudes they display despite the adversity they face. The group decided several months ago to form a support group.” Bob Senft agrees. “I come here for the social interaction and the physical exercise.” Senft, a retired physician never treated anyone for the disease while he was in practice but says, “I’m happy to be here, because it is so worthwhile. Nancy and Kelly, who instruct the class, care about all of us and help keep us positive and upbeat.”