In 2013, David Bloomfield, father of three from Norwich received the devastating news he had a brain tumour. Now, he has defied the odds and medical predictions, walking again after surgery left him disabled.
37-year-old David was diagnosed when he was 32 and was then an avid gym-goer, running five miles a day. After a 12-hour operation and further tests revealed the devastating news – that he would never walk again.
David said: “When I received the diagnosis, I felt totally crushed. Although I was told I’d be back to work in three months, that was long enough to be off, but at least there was some light at the end of the tunnel. Little did I know about the news I would face in the coming months.”
Whilst the surgery saved David’s life, it left him disabled with extremely bad muscle movement on his left side. After a course of radiotherapy and chemotherapy, he was told by doctors he would never walk again.
After he had recovered and began to feel more confident in his appearance, David headed to Bannatyne Norwich West again.
David continued: “When I returned to Bannatyne, I worked with the fitness team and had a programme put together to help me use all the equipment available.
“I’d like to give a special mention to Elliott Roe, Fitness Manager at Bannatyne Norwich West, who has helped me immensely. Through his guidance I have been able to walk unaided, proving the professional experts wrong.
“I’m looking forward to conquering my new goal that I’ve set myself, to be able to run again, and I’m also focusing on supporting others in similar situations through The David Bloomfield Foundation.”
Elliott said: “The aim of this whole process has been about improving David’s quality of life, from helping him getting back on his feet to then building the confidence back up to head to the weights.
“We adapted many exercises to accommodate his ability, initially it was lighter things, but over the last year he has come on massively, even managing to train solo in the gym, with confidence.
“This man is an inspiration to everyone and especially anyone who’s suffered a life-threatening illness. He is a credit to himself and I’m so pleased to have helped him on his incredible journey.”
For more information about a bespoke or complex training plan, please visit your nearest club to chat to a fitness advisor who will be more than happy to help. To find your nearest club, please visit: http://www.bannatyne.co.uk.