Success Stories - Raelene

Raelene reaches the summit

All her life Raelene (pictured right) was told "you can't do that" because she suffered from cerebral palsy. Considered to have a disability, life was challenging for Raelene until one day, when children had left home and she felt ready to devote her energy to looking after herself, Raelene asked her nurse Louise for a Green Prescription (GRx), as she had heard this might help her. She wanted to meet new people, learn about healthy food choices and improve her walking and general fitness.

For many years Raelene had felt tired and weak, dealt with depression and high blood pressure and lived with some arthritis - but none of this was going to stop this amazing 53 year old try some physical activities to help her feel better.

Although she was afraid that she might trip and fall and felt shy that people would see her and make judgements, after meeting Green Prescription Advisor Jacqui, Raelene felt motivated to try aqua exercise at the GRx class at Ngawhatu. She enjoyed this so much she decided next to try a weekly walking programme and from a modest first 10 minute walk, Raelene progressed steadily and set her sights on completing the whole five kilometre length of the Victory Railway Reserve walkway. She achieved this first goal and was so excited and inspired she then set her sights on making it to the top of the centre of New Zealand, a tricky walk for Raelene with balance challenges along the way!

Determined to make it to the top, Raelene made her own walking pole from an old ski pole with a rubber stopper on the end, and once again attended a GRx weekly walk, until the day she slowly but steadily set off for the summit. Of course she made it - and with this Raelene's spirits soared!

Thanks to her Green Prescription, Raelene feels her life is now full of purpose and enjoyment. She feels much happier, healthier and is absolutely glowing from her achievements. She is now having a go at hitting a tennis ball and is considering a bike as her next challenge, all things she was told she would never accomplish.

As Raelene herself says, "if I can, anyone can, so just get off your butt and do it".
If you think you might benefit from a Green Prescription, just phone your doctor/nurse and ask for one and make a start today.

Congratulations Raelene - you're a true champion!