A FORMER Dawlish man, seriously injured in a martial arts accident several years ago, is one of a number of severely disabled people in South Devon now benefiting from a pioneering gym using the latest technology to strengthen and improve rehabilitation.

Will Harrison, whose parents are members of Dawlish Water Rotary Club, goes to a physiotherapy session every week in a special accessible gym and clinic based at Dainton Golf Club near Newton Abbot, developed by the organisation Sense Ability Therapy to help people with disabilities and long-term health conditions like Parkinson’s Disease or who have been affected by a stroke or accident.

William, who was left tetraplegic, has continued his computer-based work since his accident and has made steady but significant steps in his determined bid for recovery. With the new technology, including a harness, he is being stimulated to walk again.

Sense Ability Therapy invested in the innovative piece of apparatus – new Tyromotion rehabilitation technology, a critical addition to the organisation’s accessible gym. It is unique to Devon and uses virtual reality technology to help people get back on their feet with specialist support.  

Jenny Baker, founder of Sense Ability Therapy, said: ‘We are so grateful that our not-for-profit clinic was awarded grant support to develop the new gym to help deliver services and increase the impact of this work in the face of the challenges caused by the pandemic. 

‘This grant has helped us realise our dream of making rehabilitation accessible to people of all levels of ability and has come at a time when rehab services in the NHS and Community are under unprecedented pressure.

‘This service enables us to support the NHS provision and offer people of all abilities a way to improve their daily function and quality of life in the gorgeous setting at Dainton Golf Club. We took the additional step of investing in the extra equipment when we saw the huge benefits it offered to our clients.

‘The pandemic and lockdowns have had a devastating impact on rehabilitation services, with only 15 per cent of NHS rehab services back to running normally so this will really make a difference to those who need our therapy and support.’