To use Kathleen Humphrey’s own words, the Boothbay Region YMCA has been a “life changing experience” for her. Kathleen and her husband Richard relocated full-time to Boothbay Harbor last fall and joined the Y within a few months.

“I joined the YMCA and began using the therapy pool at the suggestion of Dr. Alamo,” Humphrey said. “I have arthritis in both hips and he suggested that I focus on strengthening my core muscles. Working with Dr. Wolfe for physical therapy in the pool was amazing. She developed a set of a dozen exercises that I could continue doing on my own. I began two times per week and now work out three times per week in the therapy pool.

“It changed my life! Before therapy pool exercises, I was hobbling around having difficulty walking. Now, I can walk normally and even have a spring in my step. It has improved the strength of all my muscles and especially my core. The warm water also keeps my muscles limber; coming every couple of days keeps me from stiffening up.

“I expect to have a hip (or two) replaced at the end of this summer. Strengthening my muscles in the therapy pool has been key in preparing me physically and mentally for surgery. I expect to back in the pool as soon as possible after surgery. At some point, I hope my range of motion improves so that I am able to join a class.

“I am truly grateful that we have such a wonderful aquatics facility and staff here at the Boothbay YMCA!”

Do you have a transformational YMCA story? The YMCA is collecting stories as part of its “Pay It Forward” Annual Fund Drive theme. To share your story or learn how to donate to the YMCA, contact Lisa Van Dyk at lvandyk@brymca.org or 207-633-2855, ext. 291.