'I'm paralysed and fitness class changed my life'

3 hours ago

Eleanor MaslinEast Yorkshire and Lincolnshire

News image — Kevin Jenkins said the non-profit Lincoln group Inclusive Movement CIC helped him build the strength to stand up again

Patrycja Boryka/BBC A bald man with short grey stubble is smiling into the camera as one arm is lifted and the other is holding a black weight. He is wearing a black top with a picture on it and behind him is the empty floor of a gym. — Kevin Jenkins said the non-profit Lincoln group Inclusive Movement CIC helped him build the strength to stand up again

A paralysed former bodybuilder says going to fitness classes has made an "amazing difference" to his life.

Kevin Jenkins, 62, from Woodhall Spa, Lincolnshire, had an aortic dissection in 2023 which led to him becoming paralysed from the waist down and needing a wheelchair.

After 18 months of NHS physiotherapy, he joined a non-profit group in Lincoln which aims to make physical activity accessible to everyone and is run by former army physical trainer Rob Wilkins.

Kevin thought he would "never be able to stand up again" but is now able to get himself in and out of his wheelchair.

Rob, who also runs a gym in Vulcan Park, said he saw the need for his skills in October 2025 after running a session for a member of his gym who had learning difficulties.

"Why stop there, there's going to be all these other groups who can benefit from this as well," he recalled thinking at the time.

Patrycja Boryka/BBC A man with brown short hair swept to the side is holding a long weight and looking to the side at someone's hand which is holding it either side with black gloves on. His mouth is partially open as he assists the person, whose face cannot be seen but is wearing a grey and black cap, who is lifting the weight. — Rob Wilkins set up Inclusive Movement CIC to help improve people's physical and mental wellbeing

Kevin was able to gradually build up strength in his body by taking part in hour-long training sessions at the gym.

He said: "I can now go in my electric wheelchair to the toilet, I can stand up and sit on the toilet.

"For three years I've had to go to the toilet on the bed which is very intrusive but now I can just go.

"That has made an amazing difference to my life."

Neil Compton, from Fiskerton, said he had also benefited from the fitness sessions after a motorcycle accident in 2024 left him paralysed in his right leg.

The 54-year-old said: "Everything I did at home when I first came from home was a struggle, simple things like standing up and getting off the sofa.

"Now I can get up a lot easier, my strength has improved no end."

Neil said he was even able to walk around a supermarket with a walking frame recently, which he "would never dream of doing" before the sessions.

Patrycja Boryka/BBC A man is holding onto a black pole with his other hand on a black stand further down. He has short grey hair and a black hoody. A man next to him is assisting him by supporting him at his side and looking at him. Gym equipment can be seen in the background. — Neil Compton said the fitness sessions have helped his strength "improve no end"

Rob said his background as a military rehabilitation instructor had helped him understand the needs of people recovering from injuries.

"There was a really good set up in the military but when I left I could see nothing replicating it in the real world.

"I wanted to take a little slice of that and give it back to everyone else.

Rob said sometimes when people think of physical activity they think of extremes such as running a marathon, but he said it can be as simple as "staying active and moving your body".

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