Testimonials
The Mission of the YMCA is to put Christian principles into practice through programs that build a healthy spirit, mind and body for all.
The West Cook YMCA works to live our mission everyday. The following testimonials are from a few of our members about how the YMCA has made a positive difference in their lives.
Kevin Nolen
November 18, 2008
There’s a member you should know (if you don’t already). His name is Kevin Nolen and he has been diagnosed with kidney failure. He was diagnosed when he was only 29 years old. I spent some time talking to Kevin and asked to hear his story. When I heard that he only 29 when diagnosed, I was shocked. He told me about others who were much younger, in particular one girl who was diagnosed at 14 and saw someone pass away during her first round of dialysis.
Kevin has a story of strength, and says that someone always has it worse. For instance, he spoke about Shad Ireland and the struggles he’s had. Shad Ireland also had kidney failure and found that the most effective way to receive dialysis is in an extremely healthy state. He began exercising in order to improve his health, completing many triathlons. He started a foundation for people with kidney failure http://www.shadirelandfoundation.org. The foundation helps provide funds for those people who cannot afford it to participate in YMCA’s and health club facilities. Kevin is a recipient of those funds and attends our YMCA. You would think being a member of the YMCA would be a nice break, maybe even a way to relieve the stress of dialysis. Kevin believes he has a job to do; he needs to get as healthy as possible in order for the dialysis to work as well as it possibly can.
Kevin has had to make all sorts of accommodations for his illness. He has a wonderful sense of humor, but the stress of having this disease and family to take care of must be daunting. Kevin has dialysis 3 times a week for 4 ½ hours. He loves books on tape (CD) to try and pass the time as he is unable to move at all during those 4 ½ hours.
Kevin is currently waiting for a kidney transplant. His blood type is O positive. After several disappointments Kevin has a spot on the organ donor waiting list in Wisconsin where he will hopefully receive a kidney soon. Even if he does receive a kidney the work is not over. He is extremely optimistic and wonderful to talk to. I hope that you and your family will keep Kevin and his family in your prayers.
On behalf of the West Cook YMCA, I would like to wish him continued success. Thank you Kevin
(special thanks to Giulia Isetti for recommending his story)
J.P. O’Leary
On January 26, 2006, my job ended because of my age. Previous unemployment had stripped away all of my financial resources. But none of the important ones! On January 30th, I moved into Mills Park Tower. In mid-February, I joined the YMCA’s Over Fifty class three days a week.
In early August at Loyola I learned I needed extensive repair. On August 29th, that constituted three hours of pelvic surgery. At the two-week follow-up, the surgeons agreed I could begin rehab. They agreed on the YMCA’s machines at their default settings with one additional repetition per day, starting at one. By mid-October I was released back to the Over Fifty class. By Thanksgiving I was in better shape than I’ve been for years.
By the end of the year, I no longer felt challenged. I was never sore and seldom tired at the end of the workout. In mid-February, less than six months after surgery, I transferred from the Over Fifty class. A seemingly impossible goal only a year before. Somewhere inside I must have believed that “too old” stuff.
On February 16, 2007, I entered my first Keep Moving class. Afterward I met Kara, an instructor who’d substituted in the former class, she said my physical condition would also qualify me for Cross-Training on Tuesday and Thursday.
When I left that first Friday, my face was red, my breathing heavy but not labored. I felt wonderful. Challenged for the first time in a long time. Saturday and Sunday my muscles said I’d worked hard.
I can’t thank the YMCA enough for its crucial contribution to my rehabilitation and overall improvement in my well-being. Thanks to: Nancy, Kathy, Kara, Shaunda and now Toni and Jill.
The Hall Family
Visitors to the West Cook YMCA on Saturday mornings have become accustomed to the sight of Steven Hall and his daughter, Stekara, in the gym shooting hoops. Stekara, who is 13, is on a winning 7th grade basketball team at Julian Junior High School and her dad is a big reason why. While very proud of Stekara and her accomplishments, Steven is consistently working with her on improving her game. He says they try to come two times a week and every Saturday morning.
Stekara has been a versatile athlete from a young age - playing t-ball, floor hockey and soft ball and it all started in the Oak Park YMCA's Youth Basketball League where Steve was a volunteer coach for two years. Stekara also learned to swim in the YMCA pool and attended the Summer Day Camps. This most recent Saturday Stakara's brother, Stevon, who is 24, was shooting around with them. He just graduated from the University of Central Arkansas in Insurance and Risk Management. Needless to say his father is very proud of him, too. Stevon works for the State Farm Insurance Company. He also played basketball at Oak Park River Forest High School.
Members of the West Cook YMCA family since ‘98, the Hall’s truly have taken advantage of the many family activities offered at the YMCA.
Edward Silas
Edward says exercise kick-starts his day. He does it 5-6 days per week for 1 hour. This keeps him sharp mentally and physically. Edward has been exercising for over 20 years when, after his marriage, he found himself weighing 215 lbs. He was not active like in earlier years when he did all kinds of sports - basketball, softball, etc. He heard a lot of comments from friends and family about having gained so much weight. He started listening to his doctor by eating healthier and just using common sense. Initially he just cut back on the amount of food and lost 10lbs. He immediately built on this success by jogging a little, building up to 2 miles. Though no longer able to jog, Edward makes up for it by walking. He said, if he keeps at it, he feels better and more confident! Now he gets compliments and when people say he looks great, he lets them know that this is the way you are supposed to look at 69. He says he keeps his priorities in order and now weighs 169lbs. and looks great. Very often you can see him in the vending area eating an orange.
