it’s exercise, Gym - but not as we know it

Tuesday is gym day.  It’s a rehab gym for people with long-term cardiovascular and pulmonary disease.  We do pump iron, but with a very small pump.  And then we have a nice sit down with a cup of tea afterwards.

It’s a strange place because everyone here is aware of their own mortality; not in a morbid way, but in a gallows humour, ‘aw shucks’ sort of way. 

This is my friend Roger.  Despite being very ill, he keeps us in stitches.  As if we haven’t had enough of stitches.  He sums the place up as follows; “we come here so we can die healthy”.