Coral knows what it is like to live with osteoarthritis. She was in constant pain, struggled with everyday activities such as dressing, hanging out washing, getting off the toilet, and even worse, couldn't play with her grandchildren. Her 83-year-old mother had better mobility than she did, and Coral knew she had to do something to improve her quality of life.
Coral is in her early 60s, has a background in teaching swimming and loves being fit and active, but her arthritis was preventing her from pursuing this passion, and her mental health was deteriorating. Sleep was a big issue for her as pain and discomfort kept her awake at night.
These feelings will be familiar to many people with arthritis.
Thinking she needed surgery, she was referred to a specialist. However, her life-changing experience happened when she saw a physiotherapist at this referral. This was the orthopaedic assessment journey in action. Coral was assessed by the physiotherapist and discussed options with him.
After talking with the physiotherapist, she decided to treat her health as an investment and started exercising and working to improve her mobility with the exercises and encouragement she received from the physiotherapist. It took determination and sticking to the exercise plan developed for her. She joined a gym and kept going there no matter what! She wanted to get back to teaching swimming and being more mobile and knew it wouldn't happen overnight, but it was her goal, and she pursued it. Recently, Coral did a deadlift of 75 kg at the gym - something that would have been impossible for her in the past. She has lost weight, loves exercising again and is feeling so much better that she is looking at the possibility of teaching swimming again!
Coral's story is inspiring and a wonderful example of how the new orthopaedic assessment journey can work for people who have similar challenges.
Coral is keen to encourage others and stresses the importance of deciding to invest in yourself. She shares her story to help people understand that there is a way forward, and osteoarthritis does not have to rule your life.
