Chloe is walking down some steps into a large swimming pool. Her hair is up in a bun and she is wearing a purple swimming costume. Her posture is at an angle.
Cerebral Palsy,  Disability,  Visual Impairment

Swimming when you’re a disabled adult

27th August 2022 /

I certainly would not class myself as a sporty person, but swimming is something I’ve always enjoyed. Despite this, it’s not something I did regularly. However, towards the end of the first lockdown, the swimming pools opened up again. It felt like a chance.

Prior to this, I had hydrotherapy during my first year of university and before that I had done a sponsored swim during sixth form. What’s the worst that could happen? I’d not been swimming since my vision had deteriorated which was a daunting prospect.

For starters, how would I get there?

How it began

It almost felt like a now or never situation. I just wanted to give it a go. I approached a friend from high school who had been helping me out with other social commitments as a personal assistant. She agreed. If it was a disaster we would never speak of it again!

I’m so glad I was able to go with someone I knew well. For me, walking without splints on a slippy floor could be challenge, especially when I’d finished my swim. I’d need to hold onto someone’s arm to get from the changing rooms to the pool side.

Luckily, it all went to plan became a weekly occurrence.

Read more —  Cerebral palsy and exercise: Reviewing CP Empower by Neuro Heroes

“Can you swim?”

Going swimming on my day off quickly became something I looked forward to. It meant I left the house, got some exercise and often stopped at Costa on the way home.

But how do you swim if you’re visually impaired and have mild cerebral palsy? You’d be amazed at the amount of times I was asked this question. So maybe it does need answering.

Swimming when you have cerebral palsy

I learnt how to swim when I was younger, but it did take me longer to learn. The only stroke I can do confidently is breast stroke. My cerebral palsy is mild and mainly affects the left side of my body. This means my movements are normally out of sync and my left leg can’t do the movement properly. When I get tired the technique becomes less ’polished’. Let’s call it a slightly sophisticated doggy paddle!

Read more —  Cerebral palsy and energy levels

Swimming when you’re visually impaired

From a visual perspective, this was new to me. I just figured it out as I went along. Even things that I’d never noticed before. The floor and walls are normally the same tiles, this can make it quite disorienting at times.

I would take off my glasses, then use my long cane to find the edge of the pool. I’d then sit down and my friend would take my long cane. I always attended a lane swim session so was able to stick to the slow lanes. After figuring out which way people were swimming (it changed every week!) off I’d go.

Swimming in the slow lane meant I had the edge of the pool to use as a guide which really helped. I did sometimes bump into people, this was mainly when getting to the end of the pool. After a few weeks, ”sorry I’m blind”, became the easiest way to deal with this. The session had regulars who got to know me as time went on. They tended let me know if it was free to go or if I was close to the end.

I did get a few questions about my sight whilst swimming. This normally was fuelled by the misconception that the word blind means no sight at all. I was happy to answer, as long as I could quickly get back to swimming.

I used my Apple Watch to record the time and distance I swam each week. Talking would cost precious seconds!

Aiming high

If you know me at all, you’ll know I’m competative. I believe this to be especially true when wanting to compete against myself. I’d want to push myself to do more lengths, or at least match what I did previously.

Disclaimer: It’s not safe for everyone to push themselves and in certain circumstances exercise can make things worse. If you are unsure, please speak to a medical professional about exercise and the best way to manage your pain.

I could definitely tell if I had not swam for a few weeks. I had to gradually build up my strength and stamina. Normally I would swim for 30 minutes, with this going up to 45 minutes when I really wanted to push myself.

On average, I swam 20 to 26 lengths in 30 minutes. However, my record was 40 lengths in 45 minutes. That equates to 1km! I can assure you, I slept for a long time after that swim.

Make it Count

Last summer, once I was in a routine, I’d go swimming a few times a month. This was when Scope’s Make it Count campaign came along. The focus was raising money for the charity, as well as getting involved in accessible and inclusive exercise. For those of you who don’t know, I’ve volunteered for Scope since I was 15 years old and have been an employee for nearly 4 years.

I was asked if I’d like to feature in the campaign. I was hesitant at first. I’ve accepted the fact that I’m disabled, and that doesn’t bother me. Yet the hesitation was around the fact I’d be walking without my splints. This is something I do all the time in my own house, and something I’d done whilst going swimming. Capturing it on film felt different. I think it’s because, in my head, I walk normally. It’s almost a shock to see it.

In the end, I agreed. We need more media representation of cerebral palsy and I shouldn’t let my own ableist thoughts stop that. I’m really glad I did this. It was a great campaign that turned out to be really empowering.

Make it Count (Scope)

Dealing with fatigue and pain payback

Let’s not pretend that swimming 20 lengths a week was easy. It was exhausting. It was painful. Yet I really enjoyed swimming. It was rewarding and I was proud of what I was able to achieve.

To reduce pain and fatigue I would:

  • stretch before and after
  • take extra painkillers
  • have no plans for the afternoon (nap time)
  • use magnesium spray or epsom salts
  • use a TENS machine

Read more —  Cerebral palsy and managing pain

For the first few months, it completely wiped me out. I would get home and just sleep. This is where the trip to Costa would help. A nice hot coffee and a snack could give me a bit of a boost. Even after a year, I’d still have physical consequences. I was fortunate to have a day off work where I could go swimming and then sleep. But the pain would remain for a few days.

As things started to get back to normal, it’d be time to go swimming again!

~ Chloe x

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