The YMCA Helped Pat Doran through emotional and physical turmoil.
When I joined the YMCA some six years ago, I had no idea what a positive role the Y would eventually play in my life. Forced to take early retirement at age 61, my wife critically ill with cancer and our three children on their own, my life was about to be tested as never before. When my wife Brenda died ten months after I retired, I found that regular intense workouts at the Y were increasingly important to me. These workouts helped me deal with the depression and stress associated with losing one’s spouse and job of 34 years.
I soon decided that my Y workouts could prepare me for an adventure that I had been thinking about for some time. I decided that I would cross Virginia in a kayak from Covington to Newport News. The trip, on the Jackson and James Rivers, would be about 330 miles and was expected to take three weeks. Since my only kayaking experience was in the Chesapeake Bay, the thought of a 62 year old, solo kayaking across the state on fast moving rivers, was both exciting and daunting at the same time. Continuing regular intense workouts at the Y would soon get me ready for this adventure. After six months of training, I was able to complete my kayak adventure in May, 2004, and the trip took only two weeks to complete. Without the workouts at the Y, I could not have made this trip. I am convinced that my mental and physical wellbeing were enhanced by the adventure, and I couldn’t have done it without the Y.
Two years ago, while on a week long motorcycle trip, I was involved in a serious motorcycle accident which hospitalized me for a week. After leaving the hospital, I required several weeks of physical therapy. Again, regular workouts at the Y, allowed me to get back on my feet much quicker than the doctors had expected. I hadn’t expected to need the Y for recuperation, but again the Y was there when I really needed it.
As you can see, during the past 5 years my life has completely
changed. I now spend much of my time volunteering for several local non-profits and continue to workout about three times a week at the Y. I find that my mild depression and stress have diminished. There is no question that I am a better person both mentally and physically because of the regular workouts at the Y. Also, seeing friends, old and new, at the Y, has been and continues to be important to me, especially during the past few years.
For the reasons mentioned above, I am truly indebted to the Y for
being there for me. Whether it’s using the Y to improve your mental and physical state, preparing for a physically demanding adventure, recovering from serious injuries or providing an outlet to meet new and old friends, the Y has been and will continue to be an important part of my life.
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