Age, disability can't stop Veteran from daily exercise

He takes part in physical therapy five days a week at the Milwaukee VA Medical Center, motivated by the special bond he has forged with health technician Mary Kassens.

Check out this video of George working with Mary and how the STRIDE program keeps Veterans moving.

Like old friends getting together for coffee, the two chat and smile while going about their routine of exercises to keep George healthy.

During a recent session, George and Mary talked about his recent bingo wins, the Milwaukee Brewers and his tasty lunch — a BLT with everything on it — while George went through his regimen, which included walking and balance exercises as well as some upper body work.

“We’ll do the walking,” George said as he stood from his wheelchair, grasped the parallel bars and walked the length of the path. He then turned to the side and shuffled back.

“Watch out, Mary; I might run you over,” he said with a smile.

“You’re looking good, George. You’re doing fine,” Mary responded.

As the exercises progressed, George would call out the number of reps under Mary’s watchful eye.

“We have fun together, don’t we?” she said to George.

“That’s right,” he said. “We’re fun and friendly. We can talk about anything. And she’s a good instructor. She takes good care of me.”

In fact it’s that relationship with Mary — and his commitment to being active — that motivates him to exercise each day.

“It’s something I look forward to. It keeps me motivated. I always perk up for it.”

Keeping Veterans moving

Poleske, who lives in the hospital’s Community Living Center, stands as testament to the STRIDE program at the Milwaukee VA. The national VA program emphasizes movement for hospital patients.

STRIDE provides hospitalized Veterans with a targeted gait and balance assessment, followed by supervised daily walks for the remainder of their hospital stay.

Instituted at the Milwaukee VA in 2020, the program has grown beyond walking to include upper and lower extremity exercise as well as yoga, which helps with flexibility and peace of mind.

“Keeping Vets mobile and walking daily helps reduce length of stay in hospitals … and aids in the reduction of falls,” said Isabel Detienne, occupational therapist.

“Deconditioning is a big thing that happens in the hospital, so this is one way for us to prevent that and keep them pumping their muscles and keep their hearts healthy.”

'Motion is lotion'

Mary said it’s important for hospital patients to move, even though it may be painful.

“Initially it hurts. It’s hard,” she said. “But once they get up and realize that taking a short walk — even 20-30 feet — they do feel better. Motion is lotion for those joints, and it can help reduce pain. Our bodies were made to move, and if we just stay sedentary in the bed or chair, we are going to hurt.”

However, getting George motivated has never been a problem.

“I’ve been active all my life. I love it; it’s good for you,” he said, noting how the exercises have helped rid him of kinks in his back and soreness in his arms and legs. 

“I used to have back pain from sitting in this darn thing,” he said, slapping his wheelchair. “But with the exercise, I feel better. I feel like I accomplish something through exercise. I love it, and I’m going to stick with it as long as I can.”

Mutually beneficial bond

Mary has been working with George for about two years, and they’ve formed a mutually beneficial bond.

“He’s just as motivating for myself to come to work every day,” she said. “I know he’s depending on me, and he’s a real joy. He’s always keeping us on our toes. He’s always trying to challenge himself to be a little better every day.”

And George is equally motivating for his fellow Veterans.

“Many other Veterans look up to George,” she said. “Oftentimes we hear them saying, ‘If he can do it, and look so good, so can we.’”

And George has advice for fellow Veterans who may be adverse to exercise or physical therapy.

“Don’t give up. Just do the best you can,” he said. “And try to do better today than you did yesterday.”