“The Y seems to come up with things I need before I know I need them.” - Nancy
Nancy first joined the YMCA in 2013, right after becoming eligible for Medicare. “It was just really nice,” she remembers. “I did it off and on.”
She never could have imagined how important the Y would become in her life. Just a few years later, everything changed.
Surviving the Unthinkable
In 2016, Nancy was broadsided by a driver going 75 miles an hour. Doctors weren’t sure she would survive. “I was in the hospital for three months. I was paralyzed and had to learn to walk again after neck surgery.”
Not long after, Nancy was diagnosed with breast cancer. “I don’t know how the Y found out, but they reached out to me and invited me to a survivor’s group. It was wonderful. I didn’t know how to access help, and suddenly it was there.”
Setbacks and Strength
Her health challenges continued: spinal stenosis left her relearning to walk, more neck surgery followed, and two years ago she broke both wrists after tripping in a parking lot. “I got depressed. I stayed in bed for about a year, and I got really weak,” Nancy recalls.
But she didn’t give up. “Somehow I came to the conclusion that I had to get back out there. So I’ve been doing this for about a year now.”
Moving Forward Through Movement
Getting “back out there” meant returning to the Y. Nancy began attending classes four to five times a week. She started with Enhanced Fitness and chair yoga, then tried bootcamp. “Of course, I was doing the easiest thing. Well, easy for others, but not for me,” she laughs.
Her favorite class is barre. “It’s the hardest, but I was a dancer once. The muscles are coming back, and it feels good to reconnect with that part of myself.” She’s also joined book club, painting classes, and sound baths. “The Y seems to come up with things I need before I know I need them.”
How the Y Helps Keep Nancy Steady
Staying active has become one of the most important ways Nancy maintains her independence. “These classes help with balance, stamina, and strength,” she explains. “If you keep moving, you’re less likely to fall. And for people my age, that’s huge.”
According to the CDC, one in four adults over 65 falls each year, often leading to serious injury. Programs like Silver Fit and chair yoga build the core strength, flexibility, and coordination that are key to preventing falls. At the Y, wellness is not just about the present. It is about supporting strength and independence at every stage of life. Wellness lasts a lifetime, and Nancy’s story shows how movement makes that possible.
Finding Friendship and Belonging
Perhaps most meaningful for Nancy is the community she’s found. “After the accident, I lost my friendship circles. Here, people remember my name. They cheer me on, even when I’m the worst one in the class. That kindness has been so important.”
She also loves watching other Y programs in action, like parents bringing their babies to swim lessons. “It saves lives,” she says. “The Y seems to address real needs in the community, and I think that’s great.”
Advice From Nancy
Nancy’s advice for anyone feeling isolated? “Start with an easy class and show up. Talk to the instructor. You’ll find more than exercise. You’ll find friends.”
Through every setback, Nancy has found resilience at the Y. She’s gained strength in her body, peace of mind in fall prevention, and a sense of belonging that keeps her coming back week after week.