Profile in Fitness - Vickie Marutani - by Suzanne Frank

Never after she married did Vickie Marutani, Apt. 167, ever exercise.  But during the past ten years of her stay here, this gentle 81-year- old has ever so slowly blossomed into what some friends call a “fitness fanatic.” When she first arrived at Lumberton, Vickie thought the pool looked inviting.  However, she had a great fear of water, having been nearly swept away at the seashore in Japan at the age of three.  But she found the courage to join the classes there, being sure to keep to the very shallowest part of the pool.  She says rather proudly that now she can tolerate the water right up to her chin.  A couple of years ago Vickie was told that her knees were in need of repair.  Once again she showed her courage by electing to have both knees replaced at the same time.  After a three-day hospital stay, she went to Woolman, where they “pushed me very hard but with great kindness and care,” she related.  The therapy that she underwent there led her to begin her serious self-motivated efforts, guided and structured by Fitness and Aquatics staff, to regain her strength and endurance.  As a near-term goal, she wanted to get rid of the ever-present cane. “We work hand in hand with Genesis Rehab Therapy,” said Beverly Kannengieszer, Director of Fitness and Aquatics, which enabled Vickie to be eased slowly into doing some modified personalized workouts.  “Not every CCRC’s fitness department works as closely with the therapy department as we do here at Medford Leas,” she added proudly.  Donna Sherman, Director of Rehabilitation, confirmed this by saying, “Fitness and Rehab meet regularly to review residents’ fitness programs.  This truly completes the ‘hand in hand’ process and facilitates progression of the residents’ routines, or, if necessary, timely referral back to Therapy.” So Vickie also began water walking, working with Beverly to create a whole-body workout.  Slowly she immersed herself in practically all the work-shops available to residents. She is now taking classes in muscle building and stretching, and, on odd days, yoga, tai chi, and balance.  Adding to the daily workouts in Fitness and water aerobics, she sometimes completes five hours of some type of fitness activity every weekday.  Although Vickie no longer needs to, she still tools around on her scooter simply because she made such an investment in it and wants to keep it running.  “It’s my car,” she chuckled. She seems to love every minute of her busy fitness routine.  “It keeps me feeling young and more alert.  And it’s a good way to meet people and get to know them even if I don’t remember their names.”