Fox Valley Family YMCA Member Deanna Veitengruber and her Fitness Trainer, Dian Nielsen

Dian Nielsen is the Fox Valley Family YMCA Employee nominated for the “You make a difference, every day” Award. Dian has been a Y employee since 1999. She has been instrumental in changing the lives of many members through her work in our fitness department. Not only does Dian teach classes and personal train but she makes a personal difference in the lives of those she comes in contact with through her caring personality, supportive nature, and her personal drive. A specific example of how Dian has made a great impact is through her relationship with Deanna Veitengruber.

My name is Dian Nielsen and I am a Fitness Instructor and a Personal Trainer at the YMCA West Branch. I would like to tell you about a very special Y member and client of mine, Deanna Veitengruber.

In 2003, at the age of 19, Deanna was in an auto accident which caused a severe closed head brain injury. After she survived the first 48 hours, the doctors could not give her a prognosis. They were not hopeful that she would even ever walk or talk again. She was in ICU for 10 weeks in a vegetative state. From there she was moved to Marianjoy Rehabilitation Hospital where she began to wake up. Like a baby, she had to regain her ability to speak, eat, etc. After four months in the hospital, Deanna came home in a wheelchair, unable to walk or take care of herself. Her mom and sisters pushed her to stand and eventually walk! Her mom tells me that they were always involved in the YMCA since her girls were babies, so it made sense that Deanna go there to further her recovery.

In May of 2009, Deanna’s mother brought her to me for personal training Deanna is still training with me today and has made unbelievable progress. At first it was a challenge for her to hold a weight without shaking, to walk on the treadmill and especially anything having to do with balance. Now she can lift heavy weights, run on the treadmill and she can even do squats on the Bosu Ball! I love working out with Deanna because she loves to work hard! She is always open to try new things. She will occasionally give me heavy sighs when I tell her to do more sets or reps or when I have her do walking lunges and step-ups on the bench but she thanks me later when she sees all of the beautiful muscle tone she is getting. Deanna used to be a gymnast, so every once in a while I let her walk on the balance beam. That always gets a big smile. I could not be more proud of Deanna!! She is not just a client, she is also my friend!!!