..last Wednesday, like a poolside conductor Bill waves his hands...swim to the middle on your back, OK now try and stand...chin down, knees up, bum back...let the water do the work...oops keep your chin on your chest. I lie back and with a wet smile try again...
Each week I add a new trick to my swimming bag, last time like a floating log I learnt to roll from my front to my back while still moving. Bill has rehearsed the minutiae of today's trick; rolling from my back onto my front. I stand hip high in the water to follow his instructions...
...bring your left arm straight up above your head, turn your head to the left....then bring your right arm over your chest.. we look like we are at a waterside rave... then submerged I try. And try. And try...by the twentieth try I have it in the bag!
OK are you ready to swim down to the deep end and back up?
Yes (aha my plan....)
Slowly. Breathe. Don't rush Bill says as the darkening water reminds me I am now out of my depth. At the end I clasp the rail. I tell Bill. I want to swim back up on my front but I'm not sure how to let go without the Tiger of fear pushing my head under water.
I am desperate to tame this tiger. Today! (Rule 1 - Act Boldly Today)
OK deep breath, get your shoulders below the water, then you'll stay like that, head too high and it will go under,
I stare ahead and nod
Bill adds; now push forward from the wall with your right leg...
On the way home, a bus ride in the rain cannot straighten my grin. I am now sure that in the early days of my recovery; hydrotherapy would have sped up my progress. But it was never mentioned and I never thought to ask...
I fix my eyes on the ceiling and watch as the pale blue panels sail by. My mind is far below.
Thats it move both your legs, good; keep moving your left one
Slowly. Slower. Don't forget to breathe
A wave like grin crosses my face as my left leg, like a flipper takes it lead from my right
Keep smiling
OK. when you are ready, deep breath in...
I inhale as I repeat Bill's mantra in my head;
Tip your head forward, sweep your arms through the water, knees up, bring your left knee up, concentrate, push your bum back..keep your arms forward. Slowly I switch from lying on my back to upright.
The bottom of the pool is now as deep as the sea, I have passed the safety of the green bollard.
I lean forward, stretch my arms out and like a slow motion movie, switch to breast stroke. I float like a buoy it must be the extra air in my head...
Well done!
I would punch the air with delight but my arms are busy propelling me back towards the shallow end.
OK lets go again, Bill says...
...I walk on air as I hug my sense of control close to my chest and leave my comfort zone flapping in the pool...
Technorati Tags
Swimming-lessons, Disability
I woke today with quivers in my tummy. I pack my rucksack and trundle to the bus stop.
I press the button and the ding tells the driver I want him to stop. I clamber slowly off and stick, hitch foot, stick, hitch foot my way to the crossing.
I grab the hand rail to enter my destination. The swimming pool.
The flutters are now crashing waves.
I pay my fee and go into the changing rooms. Costume on I walk alone for the first time to the pool.
Hand my ticket to the lifeguard and ask him where Bill is. He points to the third lane.
I drag my feet towards the lane.
He stops and looks up from the water in the big pool.
Are you Bill? I'm Dawn... here for my first swimming lesson.
He smiles.
