Dr. Jim Bloom Feature

Jim Bloom's goal is simple: to walk again.

A car accident on January 2, 2008 stole that ability from him. Jim, or Dr. Bloom, to be more precise, was severely injured; his ribs and lungs were crushed, and he suffered a spinal cord injury which left him paralyzed from the shoulders down. He spent seven months in the hospital, followed by eight months of physical therapy.

Then he joined Lakeshore Foundation. "It has been miraculous," his wife, Joy, said. "In just six weeks, his ability to move started to come back. Now he can push his hands in the water. That might seem like a minor accomplishment, but to us, it's enormous."

Carol Kutik, Lakeshore's director of fitness and health promotion, explained that Lakeshore is by no means the typical fitness facility. "The services and facilities offered here are world-class," she said. "There are only a handful of facilities across the country that are on a par with Lakeshore. "Our attitude is different as well," she noted. "Here at Lakeshore Foundation, we treat you as an individual, not a disability. No matter how "different" you may feel, you aren't different here. Everyone is accepted and welcomed as they are."

She continued, "Our focus is the whole person - not simply fitness, but also prevention and awareness. We do this through our quarterly health newsletter as well as health screenings and informational seminars offered year-round. One month it may be a balance screening or a seminar on foot care and choosing the right shoe; the next month it may be cholesterol and vision screenings plus a healthy cooking demonstration. We see healthy living as a journey, not one stop on the tour. Our goal is to offer members a series of individual steps to help them on their way."

Jim's son said, "Dad may be 81, but he works incredibly hard. His workouts in the pool really have been beneficial. Wearing floats, he is now able to stand in the water and push up from the bottom of the pool. In the fitness center, Josh Van Zandt has been amazing in adapting the equipment to Dad's needs and in coming up with innovative ways to help him strengthen his muscles. Lakeshore Foundation has given him the opportunity to do things we never thought he would do after his accident."