Member Spotlight: Lucy H
Firstly, tell us a bit about yourself!
Hello! I'm Lucy and I've been a kidney patient for 19 years. I had AKI (acute kidney injury) following a c-section when my daughter Isabel was born. I was on dialysis for 9 months but luckily my kidneys picked up enough to come off dialysis for a weekend, which turned into a week, which turned into a year and then 14 years!
I knew I would need a transplant at some point in the future, I just imagined it would be when I was much older. However when the time came my amazing husband John immediately volunteered to be a living donor and amazingly was a match! The transplant went ahead at Manchester Royal in July 2017 and my results have been great since - in fact the kidney was nicknamed 'The Ferrari' by our surgeon Mr Tavakoli! I'm now looked after by the fab team at Royal Preston Hospital.
How do you feel in general about physical activity and movement?
Absolutely hate it! All my friends think the fact I have started exercising is hilarious, due to my well known aversion to any form of exercise! I would skip PE at school at every opportunity and have done zero form of organised exercise since. In non-covid times my usual forms of exercise are walking everywhere due to not having a driving licence, and shaking my butt at The Buck on a Saturday night!
What barriers have you had towards exercising?
It's just not "me"! The idea of getting all hot and sweaty - yuck! I'd rather have a good book. However, the fact I’ve barely left the house in a year due to shielding, combined with the fact that I couldn’t get back up off the floor after filling the fridge up from online deliveries, I thought it was about time I did something about it. Something must have clicked recently because I actually missed not having class to go to on Easter Monday!
How has Beam helped you overcome these barriers?
This is awful but I actually signed up to Beam as soon as I heard about it, and even registered for classes - AND THEN FORGOT TO GO! I really could kick myself because now I wish I'd been doing it all year - however I am proof that it's never too late to join in. It means I have something to get up and get dressed for in the morning. All the instructors are SO lovely, and I really like the social aspect and the fact that it's all kidney patients - we all have something in common!
Tell us about your 850 challenge!
I'd been doing Beam for a couple of weeks and then on World Kidney Day I decided to sign up for Kidney Research UK's #850Challenge and do 850 movement minutes on Beam. I set a target of £85 because I know the pandemic has been financially tough for a lot of people but I've been overwhelmed by all the support and donations, in fact I've currently raised 3 times my target! I'm posting my #ExerciseFace of the day on my stories which are very funny and remind people I'm still going!
What else makes you feel good?
Dancing! I REALLY miss having a boogie with my friends!
I'm also a Girlguiding leader with Rainbows, Guides and Rangers - we've been meeting weekly on Zoom throughout the pandemic, it's lovely to be able to meet virtually - maybe I'll teach them some exercises soon?!
Feeling inspired by Lucy and ready to try a class?
All classes can be taken at your own pace, and if you’re feeling nervous, let the instructor know and they’ll be sure to reassure you. You can start with an On Demand session, or get active with a Live Class and join the rest of the Kidney Beam community.
Don't forget to check out Kidney Research UK's #850Challenge, or support Lucy in her fundraising efforts!
Remember, the Beam Team is here to support you too, so if you have any questions about starting classes, please feel free to get in touch with us hello@kidneybeam.com