Adult Rehabilitation Retreat Bystré 2022 — Report from the Stay

For the second time, thanks to the Czech Hemophilia Society and under the leadership of Michal Skořepa, the traditional adult rehabilitation retreat was successfully organised at Hotel Bystré in the Vysočina region (near Polička), held from 20 to 27 May 2022.

Last year's positive experiences at the new venue were expanded with many more sightseeing adventures, and overall this year's edition was an outstanding success.

Compared to last year's October dates, this year we enjoyed significantly more sunshine and warmth. The programme and experiences were very varied. Since nearly a fifth of the participants were children, their entertainment and games were also taken into account. Right at the hotel, they could use a children's corner with toys, play children's bowling, and above all enjoy the biggest attraction — an outdoor bouncy trampoline, which was permanently occupied every day of the week-long stay. In addition to the on-site programme, the children also went on three trips. One was to Polička, where a children's programme called "Fun for Little Rascals" was held; the second trip was to Podlesíčko with its Fairy-tale Village; and the third was to the Fairy-tale Forest right in Bystré, where the children truly let loose and enjoyed plenty of tasks, surprises, and rewards.

There was also plenty thought up for the adults, whether for families, groups, or individuals. Each day brought a different suggestion for an excursion, a visit to historical monuments, natural beauty of the surroundings, and more. To name a few: a visit and tour of Pernštejn Castle, Nové Hrady Chateau, the chateau, gardens, church, and tower in Litomyšl, the town walls of Polička, Svojanov Castle, the town of Svitavy, and a gorgeous circular route around the Vír dam. All forms of movement were welcome — some went by car, some on foot, some by bicycle.

Among the individual activities, I must not leave out the Vodárenský les (Waterworks Forest) nature trail in Svitavy, a visit to the Gastro Festival in Litomyšl, the Board Game Museum in Polička, and a visit to Penzion Ohrady in Vísky (where the previous editions of the retreat were held).

And since all this took place in the beautiful and picturesque setting of the Vysočina region, those who enjoy admiring views also had their share. They gradually visited Toulovcova lookout tower (with views of the Orlické Hory, Krkonoše, Železné Hory, and Jeseníky mountains), the Terezka lookout tower at Paseky, the Karasín lookout tower, and the Jára Cimrman lookout tower. The weather was excellent, the views even better, and satisfaction was great.

And how did we enjoy ourselves at the "base" at Hotel Bystré? Accommodation with full board was provided — breakfast as a buffet, lunches and dinners with a choice of 3 dishes.

During the day, physiotherapy exercises and rehabilitation sessions were carried out according to a schedule. These activities were complemented by daily swimming and pool exercises, use of the whirlpool for muscle and joint relaxation, and warming up in the sauna. Thanks to contact and discussions with other haemophilia patients, we also exchanged a great deal of practical information and experience regarding treatment and managing our health condition.

After the full day of demanding rehabilitation and excursion programmes, we gathered in the evening in the common hall, where entertainment lasted long into the night — guitars were played, various board games were enjoyed that made us laugh a great deal, and we also cheered on our team at the Ice Hockey World Championship.

Overall, I rate this event very positively based on my experience, because I once again met familiar people, got to know new ones, enjoyed the hotel's hospitality, made maximum use of the rehabilitation and "water world," stretched my body cycling through the beautiful surrounding countryside, visited and saw many new places and things, relaxed at the same time, and above all truly enjoyed a pleasant and fun retreat with friends "of the same blood."

I definitely recommend it to all those who have not yet participated, who are hesitant and wondering whether it is worth it. It certainly is — you will not regret it.

Břetislav Velner