I would like to begin swimming again, but I am a little fearful of trying to begin again. I was a distance swimmer 30 years ago. My swimming career lasted 20 years. Since that time I have gained about 30 pounds, aged 30 years, have a prothesis for a shoulder and can not quite get my left arm out of the water to swim freestyle .... forget ever doing butterfly or backstroke again. I am afraid if I go to the local public pool and try to swim one lap I will never make it. I have no idea how to even begin the process. My four sisters are all swimming again in other parts of the country, but none are dealing with physical limitations so they don't know how to help me. Anyone have any good ideas.
thanks
Zoe
Parents
Former Member
If you want back in the water bad enough, you'll "make a way, find a way". I'm doing just that, after a spinal cord implant. I'm having to "scull", a stroke which may work for you -- forms of it are used in sychronized swimming, but it works for me, and because of my implant, I'm not allowed any repetitive or rapid movements at or above my shoulders and head. So, the 4 strokes are out. Sculling is my answer...and I'm finding that I can adapt the sculling motions as I go, to what I *am* able to do. Many years ago, my Mom used a similar sculling stroke with a disabled right arm/shoulder, so that's where I first saw it -- and never thought I'd have reason to use it. Now, I have good workouts, and enjoy my water time, and build those workouts gradually so that I don't take any injuries. If you're interested in trying "sculling", you can find various videos of it, in slow motion, on Youtube, and that should suffice to give you some good ideas. All the best luck!!! :)
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Former Member
If you want back in the water bad enough, you'll "make a way, find a way". I'm doing just that, after a spinal cord implant. I'm having to "scull", a stroke which may work for you -- forms of it are used in sychronized swimming, but it works for me, and because of my implant, I'm not allowed any repetitive or rapid movements at or above my shoulders and head. So, the 4 strokes are out. Sculling is my answer...and I'm finding that I can adapt the sculling motions as I go, to what I *am* able to do. Many years ago, my Mom used a similar sculling stroke with a disabled right arm/shoulder, so that's where I first saw it -- and never thought I'd have reason to use it. Now, I have good workouts, and enjoy my water time, and build those workouts gradually so that I don't take any injuries. If you're interested in trying "sculling", you can find various videos of it, in slow motion, on Youtube, and that should suffice to give you some good ideas. All the best luck!!! :)
