GORDON Dennis has never been a stranger to exercise, but after a rough run of health problems, sometimes even the most disciplined can benefit from a leg up.
The 71-year-old battled a series of health issues last year, starting with a prostate cancer diagnosis last July, but credits the Sons of the West men’s health program for helping him get back into the swing of life.
The six week program, which is run in the western suburbs by the Western Bulldogs Football Club, was recently extended into Melbourne’s northern suburbs for a trial.
The Sons of the West in the North program was delivered by the Eastern Melbourne Primary Health Network (EMPHN), Whittlesea Council and Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.
The program provides participants with peer support, two hours of physical activity and health education each week, covering a range of wellness topics including physical and mental health and general wellbeing.
Gordon had a number of health problems last year, including treatment for prostate cancer, a lymphoma diagnosis and the development of two post-surgery hernias.
He said doctors encouraged him to get back into a physical exercise routine following prostate surgery and treatment for lymphoma.
Gordon has a military background and was no stranger to exercise, but a number of further setbacks post treatment delayed his recovery.
He had to restrict his body to light duties for around two months due to his hernias and a subsequent problem with infected sinuses exacerbated post surgery incontinence problems.
He was also dealing with the loss of his wife in 2015 and after coming across a flyer for the program, he decided it might help him get back into the swing of things.
“When you’re dealing with the loss of your wife or spouse, it has a significant impact on your life,” he said.
“Who do you talk to? Where do you go? How do you relate to people?”
He said the program helped to promote fitness and health, social interaction and also encouraged people to have a good time.
The sessions also cover talks on subjects including nutrition, the importance of promoting respect for others, mental health discussions and talks from representatives from prostate cancer charity the E.J Whitten Foundation.
He said the program was beneficial to men of all fitness levels, from people who were familiar with exercise but needed a motivation boost like himself, to others who could benefit from learning the basics.
“When you retire and the alarm goes off at 7 o’clock, you sometimes think, ‘big deal’,” he said.
“That becomes a negative in promoting a healthy lifestyle.
The program will launch again in Melbourne’s western suburbs next year and the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation hopes to continue its expansion.
For more information on the program, click here.
