Member Story of Hope & Possibility: Kathryn

Kathryn has been a member of the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA since 2022. While recovering from health impacts from COVID-19 and being a new resident of the area, Kathryn found a wonderful community at the YMCA of Coastal Carolina. Kathryn says “My battle in regaining my health since COVID has been a long and sometimes painful one, however, Trish, Haywood, Michelle, Wes, and staff at this Y have helped me in this recovery more than I can tell you. I honestly don’t feel that I could have come this far without them.” The YMCA invests in you, your health, and your happiness! Kathryn says that joining the Y was “such a positive turning point in my life!” 

Here’s what she says:

Katheryn’s Story

I wanted to write to let the board of directors know what a blessing the Claire Chapin Epps Family YMCA is to Horry County.  

I moved to Myrtle Beach from Maryland in 2021/2022 after losing my partner, Steve, to COVID-19.  

We both became ill with it at the same time in January 2021. I was quite sick with symptoms that left me with a 30lb weight loss, extreme fatigue and other long hauler problems. I was so sick with severe headaches and awful joint pain that I thought I would never get well again. I could barely walk even short distances and became extremely weak. I was pretty much bedridden for 3 months. 

To make a long story short, my beloved partner passed away from COVID pneumonia in February 2021. My quality of life had already taken a huge low due to being sick with COVID; but, now losing my partner so suddenly devastated me.  

Several months later, I began the very slow and painful journey of getting better. As I became a little stronger, my brother, David, suggested I leave MD and move south to a better climate and where my month would go further.  

My brother brought me to Myrtle Beach in the summer of 2021 and I began looking for my forever home. I found a lovely condo at Magnolia Pointe and moved into it in January 2022.  

I continued my journey to regain as much of my health as possible. I slowly built up more strength and began walking 5-7 miles per day on the waterway and trails. I love to swim and was thrilled with I learned about the Clarie Chapin Epps Family YMCA; that it had a lap pool and a gym. Even better, it was within easy walking distance.  

I remember coming into the Y and how friendly and helpful the staff were. I was very happy to become a member! 

This was such a positive turning point in my life!  

I started swimming and using the gym. I signed up with Michelle who spent several sessions as my personal trainer. She worked on strength and balance exercises with me which I needed so much.  

Several months have passes since first joining this Y. My battle in regaining my health since COVID has been a long and sometimes painful one, However, Trish, Haywood, Michelle, Wes, and staff at this Y have helped me in this recovery more than I can tell you. I honestly don’t feel that I could have come this far without them.  

How far have I come? 

On April 16, 2023, I’m so happy to say that, at age 65, I ran my first ever 5K race, placing 5^th out of 14 other women in the 60-69 age group!!  And I ran it in 34 minutes 45 seconds!! 

I never thought after being so sick that I would ever be able to do half that much. Thanks to Michelle’s working with me and to the fantastic staff, I did! 

I’m looking forward to continuing my membership at the Y and working on improving my health even more over time. 

I hope the Horry County government knows what an asset the Claire Chapin Epps YMCA is to this community; and all the good it does those, like me, in restoring and maintaining quality of life.  

I can’t express enough appreciation to everyone!