I have Biploar Disorder, Complex PTSD, Borderline Personality Disorder and ADHD. I have an Assistance Dog named Buddha and I get questioned constantly about him. Whether it’s people just curious or business owners asking me to “prove” his position. It’s a bit irritating because some people are really pushy and that can trigger things for me and make me panic.

Before going to Michael Clark I already felt my anxiety spiking just thinking about going into a gym environment and all the possible triggers there might be.

My last gym visit was before my conditions got worse which was 2012. Yep, ten years ago. Buddha (My Assistance Dog) & I as a team had not gone to a gym together before. Ever

I had to keep reminding myself that, because of Cerge, the staff knew everything they needed to know and would help make my visit as enjoyable as possible. This definitely helped my anxiety and I just kept repeating it to myself so that I wouldn’t back out.

I arrived at reception and we were nicely greeted by Gwen and shown the main areas, lift access, a quiet place, and the disabled toilets. I felt more at ease after that, knowing where everything was, able to exit the gym easily and quickly if I needed, and a quiet place to regroup myself close by. This is also all available on the companion website in the Visual Story so I can see everything before I arrive which is exceptional.

With Cerge being at the Gym I was able to even just attempt an environment I would have previously avoided and boy oh boy would I avoid it. As I said, ten years.

Knowing the staff knew key information thanks to Cerge gave me hope that I might actually be able to enter a gym and even enjoy it. Honestly I wouldn’t even consider it unless I knew I had this support and it’s weird because it’s all under the radar. It’s not like I had a support worker with me, but it felt like it! Cérge does have a “Social Support “ in the app and that helps because I did know if I was stuck I had someone right there too!

When we left, I was really proud of myself for even attempting to visit a gym, but to be able to stay without issues was ecstatic for me! Home run!!

The experience I had thanks to Cerge has given me confidence that I can be included and use a gym that I never thought was possible. I was over the moon with happiness after the visit.

Thank you Michael Clark for adopting Cérge it literally changes my life!

Michael Clarke Recreation Centre Audio Guide