Dot Nary, 49, felt like a weakling the first time she did the workout demonstrated on a 50-minute seated exercise tape.

“I did 10 minutes of the tape and I was exhausted,” she said. “But it felt good feeling good again.”

That was about 10 years ago and Nary, who has been in a wheelchair since she was 30 because of complications from spina bifida, a birth defect of the spinal column, has been exercising steadily ever since.

Before using a wheelchair, Nary said she walked or biked for transportation.

Her exercise was greatly diminished when she began using a wheelchair. But that changed when she turned 40.

She gradually increased her daily exercise. Nary said she could see the benefits after a period of time. Wheeling up ramps and opening doors became easier, she said.

“It’s like with anyone else,” she said. “It’s hard when you start exercising. Everybody knows they should exercise. But it’s a very hard behavior to establish. We know that there are fewer opportunities for people in wheelchairs to exercise. However, it’s just as important and in many cases it may be more important because we have to stay functional so we can do things like self care.”

Teaching health

A Kansas University graduate student, Nary is teaching a health and wellness class to help the handicapped and elderly live healthy and fit lives. Nary also is the training director at the Research and Training Center on Independent Living. The center is part of KU’s Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies.

Dot Nary works out on her arm cycle Friday at her Lawrence home. Nary leads a support group to help people in wheelchairs or people with mobility issues to continue leading healthy lives.

Nary’s class, Health in Motion, is offered through the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department. It is co-sponsored by the Research and Training Center on Independent Living at KU, Independence Inc. and Kreider Rehabilitation Clinic at Lawrence Memorial Hospital.

Health in Motion is an eight-week program that costs $25, said Jo Ellis, recreation coordinator for Lawrence Parks and Recreation.

“I think there’s a need for this type of course,” Ellis said. “More and more people are trying to get fit and exercise. Everyone needs to be exercising.”

The course provides information to participants on different opportunities for exercise. But it also works as a support group. Nary said it’s an opportunity to tell people who are aging or have become physically handicapped that they don’t have to give up exercise and other things.

“You just have to find other ways to do things,” she said.

The class focuses on establishing healthy habits and scheduling daily exercise. Nary said class participants were at different stages in terms of their physical abilities. Individual plans are developed based on each person’s capabilities.

Dot Nary, foreground, talks with a group of wheelchair users at a support group meeting Thursday at the South Park Recreational Center.

“Very gradually, people get in shape,” Nary said. “I use myself (as an example) so I can tell people that I’m not asking them to do things that I haven’t done.”

Finding options

The class also is a way for people to borrow seated-exercise video tapes. Nary said more seated-exercise tapes were coming onto the market but they could be difficult to find.

Rupert Burton, a participant in Nary’s program, said the exercise tapes have been more difficult than he thought they would be.

“I usually lift weights,” said Burton, who is in a wheelchair. He also wheels along trails in town for exercise.

Tapes provide a good exercise opportunity for people who have trouble with transportation or difficulties leaving home, Nary said. But other options are available.

6News video: Local woman helps wheelchair users lead active lives

Lawrence has flat, paved trails and accessible community pools, Nary said. The Parks and Recreation Department also has an arm cycle at the East Lawrence Recreation Center and free weights also are available at recreation centers.

“I do think we need to start looking at the number of people who would use it (equipment) now and in the future,” Nary said. “Let’s face it, we’re an aging society. We need to look at more accessible opportunities to let people know it’s available and what they can start doing.”