Swimming

Forum for parents of injured who are seeking information from other parents or people living with the injury. All welcome
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momo5
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:22 pm

Swimming

Post by momo5 »

I have a grandson with an OBP injury and he's almost 4 years old. He loves to be in his inflatable pool, that we fill up to above his waist, and he is not afraid of the water but we have to keep an eye on him because he sometimes loses his balance and isn't able to help himself up quickly because of his injured arm. I was wondering if it is possible for someone with this type of injury to learn to swim. I would really like to take him to swimming lessons but I'm not sure how that would work, if at all. Any input will be greatly appreciated.
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karategirl1kyu
Posts: 363
Joined: Mon Feb 19, 2007 12:59 am
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: LOBPI, had surgery when I was 9- they moved muscles and tendons from one side of my arm to the other side. I can lift my arm to about my eye level, can't straigten it all the way and can't completely supinate my wrist.
Location: Richmond, RI

Re: Swimming

Post by karategirl1kyu »

i can swim! i may look funny, but im confidant in my swimming abilities.. when i go underwater i use my bpi arm to hold my nose sometimes and just propel myself with my good arm and my legs. i went snorkelling in the caribbean last fall, and im planning on going again in alaska this fall! there is no limitation on the things you can do if you dont let the unjury stop you. if he is willing to learn, he will find a way to move in the water that is comfortable to him (i like sidestroke the best) once he larns to float without panickinghelp him find a way to propel himself in the water :) it will be a learning experience for all :mrgreen:
~Mel/23/LOBPI
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cdmurfee
Posts: 113
Joined: Mon Feb 23, 2009 2:12 am

Re: Swimming

Post by cdmurfee »

I love to swim! Everyone's injury is different, so I think it'd be best to let him try it out, supervise carefully, and not to panic if it doesn't go right immediately. I'm usually one of the fastest swimmers at my local gym. I can tell there is a big difference in the amount of pull I can get from my left vs. right arm, but I just like doing it, and I know it's one of the best things that I can do to make myself use my BPI arm more often, which we all need to do. Use it or lose it, you know? Those of us who have BPI always manage to find a way. You'd be surprised at how creative people (especially children) can be when they have no other option than to be resourceful. Physical limitation, creative liberation.

-Chris 25/LOBPI
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richinma2005
Posts: 861
Joined: Thu Sep 29, 2005 12:00 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: Daughter Kailyn ROBPI, June 14, 1997.
Surgery with Dr Waters (BCH), April 1999 and in February 2012
2 more daughters, Julia (1999), Sarah(2002) born Cesarean.

Re: Swimming

Post by richinma2005 »

How about this young lady, she could speak about swimming!

http://www.firstgiving.com/raquelboales
momo5
Posts: 30
Joined: Mon Aug 10, 2009 4:22 pm

Re: Swimming

Post by momo5 »

Thank you all for your replies, this gives me great hope for Matthew. God bless.
BIGJAVSMA
Posts: 396
Joined: Tue Nov 22, 2005 3:05 am

Re: Swimming

Post by BIGJAVSMA »

Had to post really quick. Jojo (ROBPI) passed the deep water pool test this summer and he just turned 6!!! Kids and adults can do anything! Jojo takes a totally different path, but always ends up at the same destination as his peers. best of luck!

Marlyn

p.s - his injury is severe- no function. he literally swims with one arm
katep
Posts: 1240
Joined: Mon Mar 29, 2004 3:20 pm

Re: Swimming

Post by katep »

My son is about Javier's age, and he also has free reign of our community and home pools after passing his deepwater test. Even though his injury is not all that severe, he doesn't have a lot of over-head shoulder range. So he doesn't use either of his hands/arms very much, but swims much like a snorkeler does, popping up for air whenever he needs it. He probably will never do the crawl stroke (or "freestyle" as they call it now) well or possibly at all. As he gets more comfortable he'll probably learn the side-stroke. Right now, he just has fun... and LOVES the water!

Kate
Kath
Posts: 3242
Joined: Mon Nov 18, 2002 4:11 pm
Injury Description, Date, extent, surgical intervention etc: I am ROBPI, global injury, Horner's Syndrome. No surgery but PT started at 2 weeks old under the direction of New York Hospital. I wore a brace 24/7 for the first 11 months of my life. I've never let my injury be used as an excuse not to do something. I've approach all things, in life, as a challenge. I approach anything new wondering if I can do it. I tried so many things I might never have tried, if I were not obpi. Being OBPI has made me strong, creative, more determined and persistent. I believe that being obpi has given me a very strong sense of humor and compassion for others.
Location: New York

Re: Swimming

Post by Kath »

I've been swimming since I was a very small child. I never even thought about not being able to. I may look a little funny when I swim but I do it and really enjoyed it. I use to take water aerobics...again not perfect form but great pleasure. I think my arm floats in water more than the left arm but exercise is so much easier in water.
Kath robpi/adult

Kathleen Mallozzi
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