Br: (914) 762-3444 | JV: (914) 245-4040

Member Spotlight: Mary Wu

Community

Community

Member Spotlight: Mary Wu

January 2025

My name is Mary Wu and I have been a Club Fit member for at least ten years, if not more. I am a two-time kidney transplant recipient who has had chronic kidney disease since I was 3-years-old. Due to my medical challenges and lifetime immunosuppressant medications, my physical health was compromised with such side effects as fluctuating weight and structural developmental issues. As a young child, I remember a great desire and attraction to the swimming pool, but I could not get my legs up to kick. I tried to learn how to swim, but had two near drowning episodes. concluded that I would forever be drawn to the water, but would never learn how to swim. After I received my second kidney transplant when I was 12-years-old and well into my teens, swimming continued to call upon me to try to learn and, long and behold, I was able to slowly get my legs up to kick. It was a some sort of miracle, but this is what a life-saving organ transplant does: It gives you a chance at life and doing everything that you could not once do to actually do! I sought out my sister was the swimmer and an excellent swimmer at that. I also had a childhood friend who was an excellent swimmer. They taught me to swim and I’ve never looked back, always swimming forward. 💦🏊🏻‍♀️💧

The truth is that I am not and have never been a natural athlete. I was not a fan of physical education in school. I was always slower and the last in line. I have short legs and tend to lag behind people trying to catch up to them. I was always chosen last for teams on gym teams. I’ve always had to work at moving and staying active. Oh, but The body is a beautiful and magical thing.

After my second kidney transplant, the highest peak weight I hit was 185 pounds and I was 4’11”. It was because of the ability and action of increased swimming and movement and more vigilance with my weight and nutritional intake that I managed to lose weight down to 122 when I was at university. My weight has yo-yoed tremendously because of other medical challenges and surgical procedures, but now I seem be in in the 139 range or so. Less weight feels amazing….much lighter, easier, and more willing and able to stay active! I swim at Club Fit at least 3-5 days a week. I cannot imagine my life without swimming that is the ultimate aqua therapy. It is my happy place, and I can say that only swimmers understand this happy freeing place.

It’s just me and the water. If I’m able to do anything in this and my one life, it’s because of my life saving organ donors Brian and Little Bean and their families. To them. To life.

Want To Share Your Story?

Community

Member Spotlight: Mary Wu

January 2025

My name is Mary Wu and I have been a Club Fit member for at least ten years, if not more. I am a two-time kidney transplant recipient who has had chronic kidney disease since I was 3-years-old. Due to my medical challenges and lifetime immunosuppressant medications, my physical health was compromised with such side effects as fluctuating weight and structural developmental issues. As a young child, I remember a great desire and attraction to the swimming pool, but I could not get my legs up to kick. I tried to learn how to swim, but had two near drowning episodes. concluded that I would forever be drawn to the water, but would never learn how to swim. After I received my second kidney transplant when I was 12-years-old and well into my teens, swimming continued to call upon me to try to learn and, long and behold, I was able to slowly get my legs up to kick. It was a some sort of miracle, but this is what a life-saving organ transplant does: It gives you a chance at life and doing everything that you could not once do to actually do! I sought out my sister was the swimmer and an excellent swimmer at that. I also had a childhood friend who was an excellent swimmer. They taught me to swim and I’ve never looked back, always swimming forward. 💦🏊🏻‍♀️💧

The truth is that I am not and have never been a natural athlete. I was not a fan of physical education in school. I was always slower and the last in line. I have short legs and tend to lag behind people trying to catch up to them. I was always chosen last for teams on gym teams. I’ve always had to work at moving and staying active. Oh, but The body is a beautiful and magical thing.

After my second kidney transplant, the highest peak weight I hit was 185 pounds and I was 4’11”. It was because of the ability and action of increased swimming and movement and more vigilance with my weight and nutritional intake that I managed to lose weight down to 122 when I was at university. My weight has yo-yoed tremendously because of other medical challenges and surgical procedures, but now I seem be in in the 139 range or so. Less weight feels amazing….much lighter, easier, and more willing and able to stay active! I swim at Club Fit at least 3-5 days a week. I cannot imagine my life without swimming that is the ultimate aqua therapy. It is my happy place, and I can say that only swimmers understand this happy freeing place.

It’s just me and the water. If I’m able to do anything in this and my one life, it’s because of my life saving organ donors Brian and Little Bean and their families. To them. To life.

Want To Share Your Story?

Browse All Categories

Search Any of Our Articles

Train

Fuel

Connect