As a professional wheelchair tennis player, 32-year-old Austrian Tina Pesendorfer travels a lot. With a busy training and tournament schedule, the No. 53 in the world needs total focus on training and matches. Fortunately, catheterizing no longer distracts her.
For Tina, wheelchair tennis started as a hobby, but the atmosphere and community of other wheelchair users, combined with her competitive nature had Tina increasingly dedicating more and more time to the sport. Unfortunately, her bladder management was proving to be a hindrance, not just while training, but also in her social life.
Starting Intermittent Catheterization
I can still remember it; in the beginning, it took me forever, she says. My friends always had to wait a long time for me when we were out somewhere. But today – it's very quick.
Tina suffered a recreational accident in 2007 and has been dependent on intermittent catheterization ever since: "In the rehabilitation ward they showed me how to do it. Since I have complete paraplegia, it was clear that this was the only way it could work for me."
Now, I don't even think about it that much, it's become normal.
And Tina continues: It was very strange for me at the beginning. I have no sensation of needing to go to the toilet. So I have to be aware: what do I drink, how much do I drink, when was the last time I was on the toilet? That was a bit tedious. Now, I don't even think about it that much, it's become normal.
Her tip for someone starting catheterization is to be patient. With a routine and time, it gets easier, says the 32-year-old, who also knows from her wheelchair tennis career: "Practice makes perfect!"
Finding LoFric Elle
Her LoFric catheter is easy to use – it supports her lifestyle and training needs. "It's discreet and compact," she says. In particular, when traveling, she likes to take the LoFric Elle, the first intermittent catheter with an L-shaped handle.
"The less you need, the better. You have it with you all the time, so I like the fact that the LoFric Elle is small and handy. The catheter should be the smallest thing that I pack."
Tina is now focused on upcoming events: "The big goal is to participate in the Paralympics. Of course, I hope it will be in Paris in 2024!"
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Living with Bladder Problems
To live with a condition that requires you to catheterize on a regular basis may feel overwhelming in the beginning. Find comfort in the fact that you are not alone.
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Intermittent Catheterization with a Three-Year-Old
Evie and her mother share their story of what it was like to start intermittent catheterization as a young child.
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Female Bladder Health
Here we look at the importance of female bladder health and the reasons women are more prone than men to get UTIs.
