Air Force veteran finds the sky’s the limit with Proactive Health
Tony Pahl is overcoming physical and mental challenges through group and individual therapy sessions at a Murray Bridge allied health clinic.
This story is brought to you by Proactive Health.
A military veteran and poet is writing a new verse in his life with support from the community he found through a Murray Bridge allied health clinic.
Tony Pahl OAM served for more than 20 years in the Royal Australian Air Force, including a stint in Vietnam as a 19-year-old newlywed.
Like almost all who lived through that experience, he returned with a head full of troubles and a body bearing scars, both of which became more pronounced as the years went on.
A spinal fusion led to his discharge, and post-traumatic stress led to a spiral which left him in acute mental health care for a number of years.
It was then he turned to poetry, to banish his demons through the nib of a pen.
“When I started writing, they were very angry poems,” he says.
“As I went on, the joy of writing took over the anger.”
He won a few awards, self-published a couple of anthologies, and had several works placed in the archive of the Australian National War Memorial in Canberra.
He also established an international archive for veterans’ poetry which now holds more than 30,000 works by 1500 writers – an act for which he was awarded an Order of Australia Medal.
Finally, his healing journey led him to a gym in Murray Bridge where he was introduced to Jo and Matt Carman from Proactive Health.
He began attending physical therapy group sessions with other vets.
The process started with a complete physical which noted all his injuries and capabilities, including an artificial knee and an inflammatory condition.
The Proactive Health team then tailored an exercise program to suit his individual needs, delivered in three half-hour sessions each week.
“Every minute that I’m here, they spend with me – it’s a one-on-one situation,” Tony says.
“I can’t take shortcuts, because they’re watching me.
“They’ve become real mates … and they’re always (saying), ‘What do you think about trying this or trying that?’
“It’s an amazing system.”
In time, he began consulting with a dietician who helped him adopt healthier eating habits.
Bacon and eggs for breakfast gave way to yoghurt and a piece of toast, and blocks of chocolate and ice cream became occasional treats rather than a regular feature.
Today, Tony is physically stronger and 12 kilograms lighter than he was five years ago.
But just as importantly, the connections he has made have helped his wellbeing, too.
“The vets have become a community because of these people, Jo and Matt and Blake and everyone else,” Tony says.
“We go and have coffee together; we talk rubbish about each other.
“Everything good that has happened to me is because of getting involved with this mob, and deciding to get involved with this mob.
“It has made such a difference in not only my life, but my wife’s life.”
Yes, the couple who married only days after his 18th birthday – not long before he shipped off to Vietnam – are still together.
They’re coming up on their 59th wedding anniversary.
Veterans like Tony are core to what Proactive Health is all about, clinic co-owners Jo and Matt say.
“We’re honoured to be able to offer what we do for them,” Jo says.
“It’s a real veteran community that has built up over the years.”
Visit Proactive Health Murray Bridge today to see how Jo, Matt and their team can help you.
- Make an appointment: Book directly with Proactive Health by calling 1300 890 507 or filling in the form at pro-active.com.au. Seek a GP referral for services funded through Medicare, the Department of Veterans’ Affairs or Workcover; or check your NDIS plan for allied health services funding.
- Visit Proactive Health: Visit 5A Chris Collins Court, Murray Bridge from Monday to Friday.
- More information: Visit pro-active.com.au or follow Proactive Health on Facebook or Instagram.
Advertising to more than 20,000 highly engaged locals can do wonders for your business. Call Jane Intini on 0418 835 768 or email jane@murraybridge.news.
Peri Strathearn
