FIT Jacks empowers Izzy to hurdle sight loss barrier when exercising

Izzy James has had to deal with sight loss since birth, and completely lost her vision when she was just 15 years old. Understandably, this proved a significant hurdle in her mission to look after her health and wellbeing, but taking part in the FIT Jacks programme has proved an invaluable experience.

After joining local gyms and being left with a feeling of anxiety, Izzy sought a fitness programme which would cater to her needs.

Although initially being apprehensive about how she would participate in FIT Jacks, Izzy has been inspired by the support from her peers and the coaches at Swansea City AFC Foundation, which has enabled her to fully complete the 12-week programme.

“I’ve had a sight loss from birth, up until the age of 15 I could see outline and colour and shape had no definition,” said Izzy.

“I lost my sight when I was 15 and now I have no vision at all.

“When I first heard about FIT Jacks I was quite apprehensive. My experience of doing sport and fitness has been quite varied. I’ve tried going to the gym but I found it quite intimidating and quite an anxious experience really.

“I wasn’t sure how as someone who is blind was going to be able to do the programme, but I was very open and honest when I signed up to mention that I would need some extra support.”

When Izzy signed up to FIT Jacks she spoke to Shauna Thornhill, the Swansea City AFC Foundation health and wellbeing officer who leads the sessions in New Lodge, Gorseinon. She was able to setup a bespoke support system for Izzy during her time on the programme.

Jack Havard, health and wellbeing officer at the Foundation, also supported Izzy on a one-to-one basis to enable her to understand each exercise and the correct technique.

“The way that I’ve been accessing FIT Jacks has been really empowering,” added Izzy.

“I’ve had Jack with me most weeks and he would go around the circuit with me prior to the session starting, explaining each station, doing hands-on demonstrations and providing verbal instructions as well. He would then guide me from one post to the next during the session itself.

“Coming to FIT Jacks has really enabled me to have a more positive outlook on what I can achieve. It’s given me the confidence to explore maybe going to the gym again, but it's also encouraged me to explore other areas of sport and fitness which I thought weren’t accessible to me.

“It’s just made me more positive and confident as an overall person about what I can achieve.”

FIT Jacks aims to welcome everyone on the programme by offering targeted support in whatever way someone may feel they need.

“It’s really important for FIT Jacks to be inclusive,” said Havard.

“Izzy is the first person with sight loss to join the programme and I feel she’s benefitted from it massively.

“We’ve seen a great improvement in Izzy’s confidence. Every week she puts 100 percent into every exercise which has improved her fitness levels.”

The new cohort of FIT Jacks begins the week commencing Monday April 28. Sign up to the free programme now to start your fitness journey.