At the age of 39, I was diagnosed with a rare brain tumor located on my spinal cord. I was living my dream life, working out, thriving in my dream job, and preparing to send two children to college. My life drastically changed on April 14, 2021. I underwent surgery for a biopsy, which then turned into a complete removal of the tumor. The biopsy diagnosis was an Ependymoma Grade II, which was benign. Even though I knew the prognosis could include possible paralysis after surgery, I had no choice but to proceed because of the effect the tumor was having on my daily life. After the surgery, I woke up completely paralyzed from the waist down.
I was in the hospital for a week and then moved to inpatient rehab for five more weeks. When I was released, I received my customized wheelchair in August 2021. This is when things started to change. My wheelchair has taken me on many adventures with my friends and family. Learning to drive again and becoming more independent allowed me to regain most of my life, especially working out.
Being back in the gym has transformed me! I use all the machines I need for a full-body workout. I participated in CrossFit classes and loved being included in weightlifting. My instructor adapted the workout of the day so I could participate from my wheelchair. She would set up my bar for me and I would lift from my wheelchair, doing overhead presses, snatches, and more. I kept a foam pad in my lap to prevent the weights from bruising or hurting my legs. My cardio was adapted as well. When the class used the row machine, she would remove the seat so I could wheel up to the handles and row from my wheelchair. When the class ran outside around the building, she had me wheel around the gym inside as many times as possible, equating to their run. It became a challenge for me to at least beat the last person running. Jumping ropes was impossible, so the instructor asked the gym to invest in split ropes for me. Split ropes are two weighted ropes that mimic jumping rope to work out your arms. Another exercise I did from my wheelchair was wall balls. Using a 10- or 12-pound ball, I threw it against the wall, caught it at my chest, and threw it back up 15 times. This was very challenging because able-bodied people use their legs to squat and gain momentum for the throw, whereas I relied solely on my upper body. Working my upper body is something I enjoy because it strengthens my arms for pushing my wheelchair and getting it in and out of the car.
My daughter has also started working out, and we exercise together whenever our schedules align. When she is with me, I try different machines or exercises I wouldn't normally do alone, especially on leg day. Learning to walk requires strong glutes, quads, and core muscles. I have incorporated Bulgarian split squats into my leg routine, but only when my daughter is with me. She sets up a half bar on the rig for stability while I squat with one leg, targeting one glute at a time. I love these because I can feel my legs getting stronger. Another favorite on leg day is the weighted hip thrust. The gym recently added a hip thrust machine, making it easier for me to do it alone. Before the machine, we did hip thrusts the old-fashioned way with my back resting on a bench, knees bent at a 90° angle, and a weighted bar across my hips.
For back and chest days, I stick to seated back exercises using the cable machine or free weights, which I can do on my own. I also do bench presses when my partner is available to spot me.
Having a strong core is essential for recovery and walking. I use the ab machine when I'm alone at the gym. If my daughter is with me, we try different ab exercises on the floor. My favorite is using a weighted ball while lying on the floor with knees bent, coming up into a crunch, and tossing the ball back and forth. Due to spasticity in my legs, my daughter holds my feet down to keep them planted, allowing me to rise from the lying position to toss the ball.
For cardio, I use the seated elliptical every time I work out to maintain a healthy weight and heart. I can use just my legs on the elliptical, starting at a low level and going up to level five without using my arms. For a full-body burn, I turn the resistance up to eight or 10 and use my arms, which raises my heart rate due to the resistance. I alternate between different levels depending on my workout for the day. I always end my workout with cardio.
To sum it all up, my wheelchair has given me back my freedom and drive. Without it, I wouldn't be able to get around the gym and work out. It helps me on my never-ending journey to walk again, even if it means using assistive aids like a walker or cane! Keep moving the best way you can as long as you are moving! This is my new mantra to live by.
About the Author
Demetria Stitts is a 42-year-old woman who became disabled at 39 after the surgical removal of a rare brain tumor on her spinal cord left her paralyzed from the waist down. A single mother of two adult children, she has regained much of her independence with the help of her wheelchair. Despite the challenges, Demetria continues to drive, work out, and lead an active life, working and traveling with friends and family. She remains determined not to let her disability hinder her from living life to the fullest.
Demetria's ride is a QUICKIE Nitrum.
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