| When Sheryl Schenkel walked
on stage in the Senior Physique class at the ProFromance CNI in
September 2010, she looked in great shape. With her nice lean
condition and big smile, she was no different to other
athletes. But then only when you looked closely and as Sheryl went into her poses you noticed she had other challenges to deal with other than just stagefright. Although Sheryl had quite a struggle controlling her body, it didn't stop her continuing with her posing with a sunny smile. We wondered what Sheryl had to overcome to be on stage that day and this is what we found... |
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Sheryl has Dystonia, a neurological movement disorder and it affects the muscles, causing them to twist, spasm and contort. It can be painful and can cause abnormal movement and postures. The condition is due to a malfunction of the central nervous system, part of the brain called the Basal Ganglia. It is not fatal and it doesn't affect her intelligence. She has a generalised Dystonia which means it's throughout her whole body, there is no known cure only treatments like medications, botox and surgeries. |
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| Sheryl said her condition started showing up when she was
around 10 yrs old. "It started in my right arm, it got very
stiff, then to my voice and then slowly thru out my
whole body the condition is pretty rare" "When it was happening to me in my teens, I suppose I did feel angry. I used to say to myself 'why me' but I coped. There was nothing I could do about it so I had to make the most of what I had. I did have some physio when I was younger. Doctors didn't recommend it but I always wanted to do bodybuilding even at a young age".  Sheryl with Delwyn and Lorraine at CNI "So at the ripe old age of 41 years old I started at the gym and competed in 2004 and loved it. The people were nice and I was never treated differently. It was a challenge for me but if I want something I just go for it. " "My first show was good and when I did my dance routine the crowd were clapping all the way through so that felt good but when I have been in the crowd watching I have head people commenting on others saying like 'she's too fat or too old etc. But nothing about me or what I've heard. I don't care, I'm allowed to be there too. I've trained and dieted like everyone else." Sheryl said. Sheryl said the Gym work has helped her be more flexible, mobile and also has stopped her muscles from wasting away as they will weaken unless she keep using them in the right way. "The Bodybuilding has been a real challenge for me and with the posing it will never be perfect but it has been good enough to give me recent placings, a 3rd and a 2nd. I will carry on for as long as my body lets me. I know for 2011, I have to get my posing alot better as that's my downfall."
I have a bubbly personality and not much gets me down. Life is too short to waste if you want it just go for it !!!
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