Hello, my name is Jayne Canning. Don’t faint, but I’m 73 years old! I have multiple sclerosis and I’ve been in a wheelchair permanently for about 12 years.
I started the Still in Motion classes before the Covid-19 pandemic, so about seven or eight years ago now. The class stopped during lockdown, but then I bumped into the Motionhouse team again at a multicultural event in the Spa Centre and they said ‘why aren’t you coming back to class, Jayne?’. I didn’t know it was back on again. So of course, that was it. I was back.
I’ve always enjoyed dancing socially and tried to rock and roll and have fun and jig about, but I’ve never done anything that was a bit more structured like a class before.
I love the Still in Motion classes. They are fun, challenging and sociable. I enjoy the people, I enjoy the music and I enjoy the exercise. When you’re stuck in these flipping wheelchairs, you tend to slump over a bit. I know I do it and I’m trying not to, but then I can hear Hannah’s voice saying to me ‘Jayne, sit up straight, sit up straight!’ It’s teaching me to really try and control what I can control.
In the class, I’ve met some lovely ladies and gentlemen, and we’ve become friends. We see each other outside of the Friday classes now too. We recently met up during half term when there was no class on and had lunch in someone’s garden and it was absolutely beautiful.
A standout moment for me is when I first started the class and we took part in a Motionhouse fundraising event at Bridge House Theatre, and my name was in the programme. It was just a magic moment seeing my name when I opened that programme.
To me, age without limits means: if you can, just get on with it! We’re all going to get old and there’s not a lot we can do about it. So while you can, just enjoy yourself.
I’d just like to say thank you to Hannah and to Motionhouse, because I think Still in Motion is important. I would definitely recommend Still in Motion, just do it. Don’t mess about, just come and put the fears aside. It’s fun and you’ll enjoy it!
