Brenda Hansen was an active woman in her thirties when a traumatic event changed how she does things but strengthened her determination to keep doing them. In August 2005, Brenda was practicing jumps for a horse show when her horse bucked. She was catapulted into the air and sustained a T3 spinal cord injury.
A challenging rehabilitation period followed. Brenda reports that although she welcomed the strenuous physical therapy that prepared her to resume her job duties and community life, there was an unexpected side effect. An in-hospital diet was geared to provide extra nutrition for her active PT program. However, after her discharge, she kept up the diet even though her activity lessened—there was no recommendation for a lower calorie diet. Four months post-injury, she discovered that her 140 pound weight had increased to 191 pounds, causing her to be depressed.
Her determination to get back to her healthier weight and participation in a hospital-based weight loss program helped her to shed most of the extra pounds and to feel better emotionally. While the program’s prescribed foods worked for her, the recommended physical activities were inappropriate for a wheelchair user. Brenda devised her own activity plan, mostly wheeling, and got her weight down to 151 lbs.
Now Brenda maintains her weight with a combination of physical activity and planned nutrition. Her job as assistant director at an independent living residential facility keeps her busy—she estimates she spends 2 hours a day at her desk and the rest of the day she wheels around the building. She uses hand weights and a standing frame that works like a glider most days of the week. These activities keep her fit for sports that she enjoys: 4-wheeling, snowmobiling, and yes, horseback riding! Brenda is learning to drive a pony from a cart, and will try skiing soon. Her advice to other wheelchair users is to find peers or support group members who are also interested in trying new activities. Brenda plans to try new sports with a group called Access2 Adventure and also looks forward to attending “summer camp” at Shake-A-Leg. Clearly, she is always ready for something new that will keep her on the move!