Y Stories

Diane

Diane has been a part of the YMCA community on and off for quite a few years. Her children and grandchildren have also been a part of the Y; they learned to swim and play basketball here. Her grandson first played basketball at the West Family Y and now plays on one of the teams at U-E!

Diane rejoined the YMCA several months ago through the Silver & Fit program. She has felt so comfortable here and loves the community. She has begun making new friends and is trying to get more friends to join! She looked at gyms in the area but nothing compared to the comfort and community of the YMCA.

Diane’s favorite class is Nice ‘n’ Easy; she loves that the class accommodates all fitness levels and that the instructors make her feel so welcome. She finds the Y not intimidating at all. She is inspired by a phrase her Nice ‘n’ Easy instructor Patti always says, “Showing up is the most important thing.”

Diane finds the support at the Y unparalleled. She goes to the weight room and appreciates the support of the staff. She has done 3 orientations with the wellness staff to learn what the best plan is for her physical needs, and even calls on them when she needs help remembering how to use a machine.

Overall, Diane finds the support of the Y staff and the community of Y members the best things about coming to the Y. She finds the Y is comfortable and accommodating and very inclusive. She loves all the options for fitness and is excited to see new classes being added, like barre.

There is so much to do here, it’s easy to find your place. As Diane says, “it’s your Y.”

Ed

Ed has been a YMCA member for over 20 years. A lifelong athlete, Ed loves coming to the   Binghamton Y 4-5 times a week. Throughout his life he has played basketball, football, tennis, golf, volleyball and he has also tried boxing. But nothing compares to his favorite activity, running.

Ed enjoys coming to the Y to use the wellness center. Ed creates his own routine using the machines and workout equipment we offer. He has adapted his routine over the years to meet his health needs, including taking care of his kidney and having a pacemaker put in 5 years ago. His  favorite workout involves using the 3lb weight ball. He uses it to work on his abs!

In October 2017, Ed had surgery on his hip. He took a break from using the YMCA while he recovered. However, Ed surprised us and himself by returning a mere 3 weeks after his surgery! Ed credits his quick recovery to his healthy lifestyle. His regular workouts and love of healthy cooking have kept him in great shape. Ed’s favorite post-workout activity is relaxing in the steam.

Ed feels the Y is a friendly place where you can meet different people. He is happy to see so many young people coming in and being a part of the Y community. When asked what advice he would give to others who are looking to be healthy, he says decisively, “don’t give up.” Ed is a testament to that very statement; through all his challenges, he always finds a way to keep going.

Erin

For the last year I have been working out with Zach, a YMCA personal trainer. Since starting personal training, I have lost 25 pounds, gained more confidence and become a happier person. Working out has motivated me to begin living a healthy lifestyle which has allowed me to make better healthier choices.

I work out with Zach twice a week. One day we  focus on lower body and the next day is upper body.  After a 10-minute cardio warm up and some light stretching, we are off to the weight room.  My workouts include squatting, dead-lifting or bench pressing. After we finish in the weight room, we  return to the wellness center to continue with various machines and movements. Each session we end with an ab circuit.

Over the last year, I have noticed that I have become stronger, I have even increased the amount of weight I use when lifting. My workouts and overall conditioning has improved my mobility. Working with Zach has transformed my life in many ways. I am healthier, look better and have a better understanding of overall health.

“I lost 25lbs and improved my overall health!”

Mary

Mary joined the YMCA as part of Livestrong class #31 at the West Family branch. Mary is a survivor of 4 separate episodes of brain cancer. It took its toll on Mary, causing her to lose more of her ability to function normally with each treatment. At the start of the class, Mary was worried that she would not be able to physically do the work ahead and that her memory would make learning the wellness machines difficult. When she began the program, Mary said, “I don’t know if I am going to be able to do this.”

From the beginning Mary had the support of the class, they stayed by her side every step of the way. By week 9, she was walking on the treadmill without holding on, swinging her arms and walking along with her classmates.  During one class, the group decided they wanted to do chair yoga. Mary decided that she would give it a try, but was scared that she would fall over and make a fool of herself. 

Sue, her instructor, provided Mary with extra support and encouragement by standing beside her through the class. Mary completed the class and enjoyed every moment of it! She was even able to do the standing exercises!  Sue and the class were determined to help Mary succeed and with their help each week, Mary overcame her fear of the wellness machines. By week 11, Mary was using most of the machines on her own!

One week after her Livestrong class finished, Mary took a trip to Germany. She was to meet family she had never met before. While on the trip, Mary had no problems walking or getting around. Mary states “without the Livestrong program, I could not have made this such a successful trip.”

Mary faced many challenges when she began the program, but she gained so much because of the Livestrong program. Her outlook for the future improved and her hard work and positive attitude gave the entire class motivation to work toward their own goals. Although she still faces challenges, Mary can do so much more than she ever dreamed of because of the YMCA and the Livestrong program.

“I can do so much more than I ever dreamed of because of the YMCA and the Livestrong program.”

Ed D

Ed reached a milestone birthday this year 95 years old! He is an active Y member who enjoys swimming at the West Family YMCA and working out in Wellness Center. Ed doesn't let the physical limitations that keep him from driving deter him; if his daughter, Pat, can’t take him, he hops on the Castle Gardens bus to get to the Y.

YMCA Wellness Instructor Sue says, “I have had the privilege of working with Ed for over 10 years. He is such an inspiration not only to me, but to many of our other Y members”.

Ed celebrated another milestone in 2018… his 80th anniversary of joining the YMCA!  He first joined the YMCA near his high school in Camden, NJ to swim after school. Ed values his years as a member of the. He appreciates the way the staff and other members treat him. He says his favorite part about the Y is the exercise. He declared, “the Y helps me feel better mentally!”

The functional fitness and stamina Ed earned in his workouts was put to the test this summer. He went on a 3-week family vacation to Alaska that included travel by land, air and sea. He passed the test! He kept up with the busy itinerary better than most! He especially liked the cruise; he said they treated him like a king!

His daughter Pat adds, ”I just love the Y for how everyone looks out for him. I know he is safe and cared for there.” Ed quips with a hint of his wry humor, “it‘s better to wear out than rust out!”

Kaylee

Kaylee’s parents started Kaylee, in the YMCA Broome’s 1-2-3 Grow toddler gym program to encourage an active lifestyle at an early age. They added a session of YMCA preschool swim lessons when she was 3. They saw she really took to the teachers at the Y, so they signed her up year-round.

Mom, Kat, says, “Swimming is a skill that we feel is important for our kids to master. We hope to keep Kaylee in swim until she is an independent swimmer and beyond. Kaylee is now 4 years old and has been enrolled in just about every session since May of 2014.  Kaylee loves the goofiness of class and her teachers.

I love how Katie and Jen push her to reach farther than the previous week in a fun way. They are fantastic with her. Anyone in the pool area from 1:30-2 pm a few Tuesdays ago could hear Katie and Jen cheering. After class they explained to me how proud they were of Kaylee.  For the first time, she swam 25 yards (the length of the pool) without any flotation device, climbed up on the edge and performed a sitting dive, then swam another 25 yards without a flotation device!  She was so proud of her accomplishment she came right over to tell me about it!  We have seen Kaylee develop such a confidence through her swimming successes that it has transferred into her gymnastics classes too!”

Mather

Mather is truly an amazing boy.  Mather is in a wheelchair but is not limited in what he can do.  Prior to coming to the YMCA in August 2017, he took swimming lessons and learned how to sit dive.  He started working out in the Wellness Center with by using the UBE (arm bike) and weight machines with assistance from the Wellness Team, along with playing basketball and dodge ball in the gymnasium.   His hand/eye coordination has improved significantly and he can lift 85 pounds on the chest press machine, which is quite an accomplishment!!   More impressively, Mather can do handstands, walk on his hands, and do handstand push-ups.  His determination and courage in spite of obstacles has been recognized by many YMCA members who have been greatly encouraged by him.  Mather is more confident in himself since coming to the Y.  He doesn’t stop working out until he has done everything he wants to accomplish.

Mather practices with the BU Tennis Team, practices MMA skills, and uses an adaptive bike for hand cycling.  He also goes to PT, which helps him to walk.  He is involved with Magic Paintbrush, likes to punch and do puzzles, plus he volunteers for Meals on Wheels.  He does the most amazing wheelies on his wheelchair that you will ever see!  He is truly an inspiration to us and encourages us to do our best regardless of our limitations.

Kyle & Leigh

Kyle joined the Y in 2012 as the opening guard at the Binghamton Y. The early morning lap swimmers and class participants really appreciated Kyle’s good-nature and attentive guarding.  He was attending college during this first year at the Y. Upon graduation from St. Michaels College in 2013 with a BS in Biology, Kyle returned to the Y.  In the fall of 2013, Kyle start guarding at the West Y during the 8am-12pm shift, where he quickly became well-liked by all of the water group exercise classes held during those hours. He came home without a definite career path. He needed a break from school and a job to pay down his student debt. His hours changed over the long summer.

Leigh joined the Y staff team as a lifeguard and swim instructor in 2013.  She soon added water fitness instructor to her resume.  She could be seen in the pool many hours a day at the West Family Y and in the summer at our Highland Park swim lessons.  She taught many group lessons and was requested by many families for private lessons. It was teaching swim lessons, where Kyle first met Leigh. 

Both were great models, displaying the YMCA core values of, caring, honesty, being respectful and responsible. They were always going above and beyond to make sure every member had a great experience at the Y! You would often see Leigh's dad join her in the deep-water intervals class along with Kyle and his mom! .

Leigh went off to graduate school in Ithaca to study Speech Pathology in 2014, and graduated in 2017.  She landed a job in Buffalo - a bit of a commute for Kyle to visit her!

After years of working for the Y and seeing the how many people’s lives had improved through warm water exercise, Kyle decided to attend Graduate school for physical therapy in fall of 2017 in Buffalo! Just recently they sent a message to several Y staff to let them know they had gotten engaged!  

We are so happy for you and best wishes to both of you!

Margaret

On September 16, 2013, I received the phone call no one would want. It started me on a journey no one would choose. It made me a member of a club no one would join. A calm, soothing voice delivered these core-shaking words, “you have cancer.”   Many other words followed. I didn’t really hear them. All I could think was my 16-year-old daughter and 13-year-old son. My parents. My siblings. How was I going to tell them?  Then my thoughts rushed back to the caller. The poor man – I wonder how many times he’d made this dreadful phone call.

My nagging gut feelings now made sense. After my annual mammogram, the radiologist wanted to talk to me. That had never happened, even though I experienced a few scary recalls. This time they also ordered an ultrasound and then a biopsy. And the wonderful breast care staff I knew, acted a bit different…and distant. 

A whirlwind of appointments followed the call: consultation with the surgeon (Captain of “Team Margaret”), MRIs, a second biopsy, an EKG, bloodwork and a lymphoscintigraphy. Followed by “The Surgery”, just 10 days after the phone call.  The post-surgical reports measured the success: clear margins and no lymph involvement. I was blessed.

I returned to work in a week. I had a port implanted in preparation for the chemotherapy that started the first week in October. I went through 12 rounds (once a week) of really strong stuff, followed by 25 rounds (every 3 weeks) of less toxic chemo. My hair fell out after the 3rd week and was a matted mess. While we were all home for Veterans Day, my daughter said, “Don’t stress, Mom, let’s just cut it.” The two of them had way too much fun cutting that mess and shaving me bald. I cherish those memories! My kids were both amazing.

I also had 25 radiation treatments from February through the first week of March of 2014 that left me with painful burns. That year was a blur. I rarely missed a day of work. I was so determined to make it in my “new normal, I earned the title, “Sturdy Girl.”  A nurse named Katie called me frequently to check on me, answer questions, and inform me of other support in the community. She always mentioned the Livestrong program at the YMCA. I listened, thanked her and hung up. Sturdy Girl was doing just fine on her own!

In the summer of 2015, Katie called as I was putting dinner on the table. I went in another room to talk. When she asked me how I was, I completely fell apart.  I wasn’t fine. To most people, my cancer “journey” was in the rearview mirror…but not for me. She gently reminded me I hadn’t availed myself of any of the community supports. She told me it was time to take care of me. She likened it to an adult on the airplane instructed to place the oxygen mask over her own face before attending to anyone else. This time I wrote down all the resources she mentioned, including the number for Livestrong. When I finally called, I was told they would be starting a class in October. They added me to the list.  In the meantime, I attended other survivor events.

During the Livestrong in-take I was introduced to our group leader; I liked him right away. I met the other members of the class, 4 women and a man, during orientation. We talked about why we chose Livestrong. Though our stories differed, we were a supportive group. We met twice a week for 12 weeks. We usually started out in the Wellness Center. We made each other laugh through our workouts. At the end of each session, we went into the Land Aerobics room to stretch. That’s where we really got to know each other. We talked about our journeys and comforted each other.  We just GOT it.

Every day reminds me of where I have been. I also have many “what if” moments. We talked about them in our Livestrong. It felt so good to know I wasn’t alone. I never missed a session and didn’t want it to end. So, after it was over, I joined the Y. I enjoy seeing some from my Livestrong group while I am there.

As part of my  new normal, “taking care of me” decision, I now participate in as many YMCA classes as possible after work. The long-term maintenance drug I take for another year and a half causes side effects. I found the YMCA water fitness classes less stressful on my back (one of the side effects). The instructors are so great and the class members are always fun and welcoming.

Tim

Tim came to the YMCA through the Supportive Housing Program. After successful completion of the program, Tim sent a letter to our housing team. 

Dear Housing Team,

Nothing I write can honestly convey how much you and the YMCA have done for me.  You have given me so much more than just shelter and guidance.  You gave me my life back.  When I first came to the YMCA I thought that I would give it a couple months in order to find a job and be on my way to rebuild.  I was wrong!!!!!  Staying there for 6 months is the best decision of my life.  You gave me guidance when I needed and helped me up when I fell.  I am proud to say that you both hold a special place in my heart.  You helped me find two jobs that I love.  I am forever thankful that I listened when you asked me to attend groups.  I can’t repay you for what you have given me.  A home, income, guidance, pride, purpose and family!  I only hope that I can be an example for those to come.  Thank you Matt and Ashley.  From the bottom of my heart….. thank you!!!!!! 

Future residents –  Take your time and listen to guidance.  Make goals and reach for them.  I am not special.  This program will work for you if you follow it and LISTEN.  If you want a better life then all you need to do is LISTEN and follow their advice ONE DAY AT A TIME!  I am a Wellness Instructor at the Binghamton YMCA and Peer Advocate for ACBC.  Both jobs I acquired while living at the YMCA.  I would have neither job without Matt  and Ashley.  Now I am at a position where I can help others.   Thanks!