May 15, 2017 7:53 AM By Pat Gallen NEWTOWN, Pa. (CBS) At Newtown Athletic Club in Bucks County, inclusiveness is important, and its why theyve put the UFIT program in place. The pilot program is a 12-week program for people with cerebral palsyor multiple sclerosis, says Amanda Brown, director of inclusive programming at the athletic club. They get a free membership to the club and get to commit to personal training for those 12 weeks. They can choose once a week, twice a week, three times a week, and were kind of looking to measure how fitness can hopefully change their lives, Brown said. When Clare Myers heard about UFIT, she enrolled her 13-year-old-son, Robbie, who has cerebral palsy. Its just a godsend to have some place for him to do something that is productive, that makes him feel good about himself, Myers said. It helps him with his own self-esteem, which Ive seen in the last two weeks. Another UFIT member is Pamela Gifford, who was diagnosed with multiple sclerosis 26 years ago. I have lesions in my neck and in my lower thoracic spine, says Gifford. So it causes restriction and pain. In recent years, she gained weight … Continue reading →

Former Sligo Rovers and Finn Harps Under 19 player Oisin Merritt has joined the Republic of Ireland cerebral palsy team Merritt fell 20 feet from a balcony in Spain and slipped into a coma in 2014, when he was just 19. The young footballer said paramedic, David Sullivan from Galway who happened to stumble upon the scene, saved his life. Once dubbed Miracle Man, Merritt defied all the odds to survive the accident and was recently given the all clear to return to playing football. He qualifies for the cerebral palsy team due to the acquired brain injury he received from the fall and is relishing the chance to get back on the field. "The opportunity not only to play football again, but represent my country at events like the World Championships and possibly the Paralympics is brilliant." said Merritt, who is a native of Stranorlar in Donegal. "For something so positive to come from an accident like mine is unbelievable. I have played for a few high level clubs and the standard these guys are at are right up there with the best, I'm delighted to be involved in high level of football again. "Since I've hooked up with … Continue reading →