Nor'West News: March 09, 2023

Thursday March 9 2023 7
Gary’s commitment to breathwork
sees him acknowledged by peers
IF YOU had asked a young Gary
Syme what he had imagined
for his retirement, he would
not have pictured receiving
a national award honouring
his services to the respiratory
community.
Gary received an award in
the Asthma and Respiratory
Foundation’s respiratory achievers’
awards for his community
service to those with chronic
obstructive pulmonary disorder.
As well as working on his own
fitness, he began to share the
benefits of exercise by volunteering
to run a community exercise
group for people with COPD in
Bishopdale.
Gary was diagnosed with
COPD himself five years ago,
which marked a new chapter in
his life.
“It was a surprise diagnosis,
although my father had experienced
similar issues later in
his life. My GP sent me along to
the eight-week breathing programme
run by the Canterbury
Clinical Network and that was
what got me started on my journey,”
he said.
Having not been particularly
physically active previously, the
course opened his eyes to the
benefits of exercise in managing
his condition and getting more
out of life.
Said Gary: “COPD can make
you very tired and exercise
combats that tiredness. If you
do nothing, it makes it so much
worse physically and you can fall
into a deep, dark hole mentally.
But if you push through that
malaise barrier, you feel so much
better.”
The group he is involved
with in Bishopdale started with
five people, before Covid and
lockdowns arrived and it was
disbanded.
Said Gary: “We got funding
to restart it in 2020 and it began
to grow. The group now has 20
to 25 regular participants and is
now self-sufficient after losing
funding last year.”
The group participants
collectively nominated Gary
for the COPD category of
the respiratory awards. They
credit its ongoing success to his
welcoming, friendly attitude and
dedication to running varied,
fun sessions.
In return, the group gives him
a lot of enjoyment, as well as a
something to keep him busy in
his retirement.
“It has become my passion.
I’ve enjoyed researching how to
make the group as beneficial as
possible. It’s become a well-being
group; we do brain games, hand
exercises, yoga, anything that
improves overall health.”
The group also attracts people
who don’t have COPD but want
to exercise in a non-judgemental
space.
“I want it to be open to everyone,”
said Gary.
HONOURED: Group exercise
facilitator Gary Syme has
received a national award
for his services to those
with chronic obstructive
pulmonary disorder.
PHOTOS: NATE TURNER
“I understand it can be hard to
get moving, but it’s so rewarding
when you see those people who
are struggling, keep coming
back.”
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