FORMER MR. NORTH AMERICA BODYBUILDING CHAMPION BEGINS THE SOUTH BAY'S FIRST COMPLETELY WHEELCHAIR-ACCESSIBLE GYM

2450 Scott Blvd, Suite 302, Santa Clara

In 1993, chapter member Paul O'Lone, won the Mr. North America bodybuilding competition. He was in the best condition of his life, or so he thought. Then, in 1997, Paul was diagnosed with MS. Like many people he didn't even know what MS was, and felt as though he had lost control of his body. Doctors gave him little hope. His condition worsened to the point of being in a wheelchair. After undergoing several steroid treatments, he began to feel that they were just a temporary fix. He felt that in addition to the MS weakening him and leading to a wheelchair, was his sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise for too long. He needed to start exercising again, but how. He felt so tired and weak, and when he ventured out to the gyms again, he found out that they were not accessible to a person in a wheelchair.

Paul took the initiative, and started walking as much as he could by progressing the number of steps each day. Then he purchased a home gym and treadmill. He also began researching about gait and stability training. Using an exercise approach, he successfully worked his way out of a wheelchair and began walking again. Paul feels that his experience laid the groundwork for his Accessibility Training, a service that specializes in exercise programs for those with physical limitations.

Today, Paul is the founder and co-owner of Silicon Valley Wellness Center, a 100% wheelchair accessible gym, specializing in exercise programs for the able & disabled, chiropractic care, physical therapy, nutrition, massage, and in- home personal training. They also offer workshops and classes. Paul and staff at the Center look forward to helping clients "change their disabilities into abilities". For more information about the Center call Paul at (408) 998-1335, or visit www.accessibilitytraining.com.