Swimming

I have tried not to let my loss prevent me from having a go at things I used to do. Swimming is something I used to enjoy and now I no longer have an open wound on my leg, it has become a possibility once more. I made enquiries of several swimming pools in our area. Most pools have facilities for disabled people, but they can vary quite dramatically. I not only wanted to be able to get into the water, I also wanted changing facilities where my husband could be on hand to assist me and this was the stumbling block. All but one of the pools had set aside an area in the changing rooms for disabled use, so it was either all male or all female, which unless you want to take a friend of the same gender isn't much use. At one pool we were offered the First Aid room but we would not have access to showers. The main pool in Derby did have two changing rooms that were specifically for disabled use and as they were separate they could be used with an assistant of either gender. One room had a hoist and raised couch to facilitate drying and changing of more seriously disabled people and the one we used had a shower with folding seat, dry changing area, toilet and lockers. Once changed I wheeled myself out to the pool and an attendant prepared the hoist with which I was to be lifted up and lowered into the pool. I transferred to the chair and was lifted into the air and then swung out over the water. Needless to say there were many children in the pool whose gaze focused upon the spectacle as I was lowered down into the water. Once in the water, Cedric, my husband, came along side and helped me drift out to a depth of about four feet where I could stand against the side.

It is one thing getting into the water, and another putting your trust in someone else as you let go of the side and launch into the pool, but Cedric walked backwards clearing a path for me as I tried to swim on my back. At this point I looked like a flailing fish making lots of splash and little movement. Cedric said to swim using a straight leg, rather than bending my knee and kicking against the water, I replied, "I am". Obviously I was not, but with patience and practice I eventually relaxed and started to swim naturally. I have found that since the amputation I tend to think how I should move and then try to do it, rather than relaxing and doing what I have done for the past fifty years without thinking. Eventually I swam about twenty widths (not all in one go) of an Olympic size pool, which was no mean feat.

What of Stummpy? Well Stummpy just went up and down in a swimming motion totally unaware that the rest of the leg was missing.

Getting out of the pool was a reverse procedure, although Cedric pushed the wet chair back to the changing room to save my own chair getting wet. The shower was easy enough to use and I transferred to a bench to dry off. Once dressed I transferred back to my own chair and we went for a coffee. Exhausted, I was. Elated, I was. What a wonderful experience to be able to feel normal once more. That evening I slept like the Sleeping Beauty being completely tired out by the effort involved.

Since then I have learnt to swim using both back-stroke and breast-stroke. The back stroke was easy, but not so the breast-stroke. Once more Cedric came to my aid and said that I should try doing it without using my legs, and then demonstrated that it could be done. I set off and by the time I was half way across the pool I was using my legs normally without thinking about it. To stop I had to learn to reverse so that my foot would drop down to the floor. I have also found out that I can get in and out of the pool from a sitting position on the side of the pool. Getting from the wheelchair to the floor requires an aid, such as a plastic stool or caravan step (initially I used a sun lounger to transfer onto and then from there to the floor). This makes me more independent and less conspicuous when I am at the pool. To get out I use the steps and hand rail to lift my body up and then swivel my body to a sitting position on the side next to the steps (I found that doing this in water that is up to my chest helps as it takes the load of my leg and is easier to balance).

Swimming in the sea in Australia was a wonderful experience. In December 2008 I went down to the beach at Glenelg near Adelaide and once Cedric had helped me get my chair across the soft sand we went for a swim. Cedric helped me get my chair close to the waters edge where I lowered myself down onto the firm damp sand. I then shuffled myself forward into the warm surf and once Cedric was with me, I moved forward into the water until it was up to my chest. I was then able to turn onto my back and swim, always making sure that Cedric was not too far away. The beach here had a very shallow gradient so I felt safe, but would not have gone in if it dropped away too quickly. Getting out was more or less a reverse exercise, swimming back to the shore line and then easing my body out through the lapping waves on the sand. I then lifted myself back into the chair and dried off. It was exhilarating and I felt a real sense of achievement, but also was aware of the need to remain safe at all times. So I can go swimming in the warm blue sea off the beach in Australia, but at my age I am not going to bother trying it out at Skegness.

Swimming Leg

I have not got a swimming leg. I understand them to be a rigid hollow leg with holes in to let the water flow in so that it does not become too buoyant and also to let the water out. It allows the wearer to walk out to the water and can be worn in the water, although I believe that most people take it off when they are in the water and swim without it. 

The Carer

You will more than likely find that your carer will get free admission to the pool. To be honest, Cedric managed to swim a couple of lengths, but spent most of his time attending to me, so it is only fair that he should not have to pay. I think I rewarded him with a chocolate biscuit for his selfless dedication.

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