An exciting new scheme to help people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus make the best of their health and fitness has been launched by ASBAH.
Fit for Success! was unveiled at September’s AGM at Peterborough United football ground by ASBAH Patron, Danny Mills. He was joined by ASBAH’s new Patron, EastEnders actor David Proud, who has spina bifida.
The campaign is also backed by a host of well-known paralympians and top level athletes.
ASBAH Chief Executive Jackie Bland said: “Staying fit and healthy is one way to getting the best out of life when living with spina bifida and/or hydrocephalus. Many people with these conditions achieve outstanding success as athletes.
“We want to support all those people with spina bifida/hydrocephalus who want to achieve more in terms of their health and fitness - from small changes such as eating a healthier diet to training for a major event.
“And we want to make sure that ASBAH is there all the way cheering on our 2012 paralympians.
Fit for Success! has three main aims:
Supporting high profile athletes to overcome any barriers they may encounter.
Encouraging and supporting more people with spina bifida/hydrocephalus to engage with sport and physical activity and achieve personal goals.
Promoting physical activity and good health throughout ASBAH’s membership.
As the project develops Fit for Success! will:
Gather information and statistics on the health and fitness needs of people with spina bifida and hydrocephalus, to discover which fitness regimes work best and making sure more people can access them.
ASBAH’s advisers will offer health and fitness advice to individuals, introduce them to different sporting/fitness activities and help people to identify personal goals.
Keep in close touch with athletes and players, providing or identifying support where necessary and providing grants to help individuals.
Work in partnership with other providers to help them understand the health and fitness needs of people with spina bifida/hydrocephalus.
Organise meetings and events which introduce people to sport/fitness/health activities and provide support.
Who is backing Fit for Success!
Danny Mills - ASBAH Patron and former England and Manchester City defender.
Louis Smith - Gymnast - Beijing Olympic medal winner
Christopher Maw - Wheelchair Racer - Paralympic 2012 hopeful
Louise Hunt – Wheelchair Tennis Player
Louise recently upped her world ranking from 59th to 35th and is aiming to compete in the 2012 paralympics and “bring back a medal for Britain”.
“I wish all disabled people would try to get involved in things, including sport, and I think Fit for Success is a fantastic idea.”
Pippa Britton – GB archery paralympian
Pippa competed for team GB in Beijing and is now training for London 2012. She is 100% behind the initiative: “Wow, what a brilliant idea, hopefully this will encourage more people of all ages to get active – I’m privileged to be at the peak of my sporting career in my 40s – so age is no barrier to getting involved.”
Gobi Ranganathan – Wheelchair Badminton Player
Gobi has recently returned from the World Championship wheelchair badminton competition in Korea. Unfortunately, wheelchair badminton is not yet a Paralympic sport but that hasn’t stopped Gobi, Britain’s No 1 in the sport, from playing at world class level.
Sam Bradley - Swimmer
Sam Bradley wants to swim his way to a gold medal in the 2012 games and he’s already well on his way as a member of the British Swimming World Class Pathway Programme which identifies athletes with the potential to gain a place in the next Paralympics.
Alice Rush - Swimmer
12-year-old Alice is our youngest aspiring paralympian with her sights set on the 2016 games – where she hopes to “swim and win”. Alice will be the first athlete with spina bifida to receive support under the 'Fit for Success' initiative. She was awarded a £500 SportsAid cheque at the launch but in true awards style Sam Bradley accepted the cheque on her behalf - as Alice was away, swimming in a competition.
