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Quad Swimming


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#1 Dan Jurgens

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Posted 20 August 2010 - 11:57 AM

our wheelcahir freindly house came with a pool and a hoyer lift but my c4/5 complete husband Dan is afraid to even let me lower him in to it wiht the lift. he as almost no movement at all adn is terified of droning. before his SCI he was a strong swimer but now not. we live in fl so using the pool is great all most all year. any sugestions own how i can get him to try it.

Norma (wife of Dan)

#2 redryder49

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Posted 20 August 2010 - 01:31 PM

What we do is put a life jacket on her and she can lay flat on her back. With very little effort I can hold her upright also.

#3 Califanna

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Posted 20 August 2010 - 05:07 PM

View PostDan Jurgens, on 20 August 2010 - 11:57 AM, said:

our wheelcahir freindly house came with a pool and a hoyer lift but my c4/5 complete husband Dan is afraid to even let me lower him in to it wiht the lift. he as almost no movement at all adn is terified of droning. before his SCI he was a strong swimer but now not. we live in fl so using the pool is great all most all year. any sugestions own how i can get him to try it.

Norma (wife of Dan)

I would try and contact a local rehab hospital. They usually have a peer support group and you can ask if someone in a similar situation can come over and show your husband that it is possible. Or you could go to their home. I was a surfer in my former life so I was a strong swimmer too. I got back in the pool more for the relief it gave my muscles and nerves. It also relieves a lot of tension and my spasms are quieted when I am there.

#4 StillFingers

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Posted 20 August 2010 - 06:24 PM

Just a thought, perhaps start out slow. Ask your husband to try "only" putting his feet in the water...not his whole body.

As long as the lift/sling system is secure, there's no opportunity of dropping him in the water, then he may be okay with the idea. Safety is the issue here and getting back into the water when you "can't" move is scary. Take it slow...
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#5 Kimu

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Posted 03 September 2010 - 02:33 PM

Definatly take it slow. My fiance has been in the water a few times post accident, but always with a life jacket on. We've also tried with a mask a snorkel which helped with confidence.
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#6 allis53ca

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Posted 03 September 2010 - 07:52 PM

i'm w/Dan...chickenshit and afraid of being a quad "sinking" instead of swimming

#7 spot

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Posted 04 September 2010 - 01:36 AM

Am I the only one for whom the touch of water on the skin causes all the muscles to cramp? Makes bathing/showering a real pain, literally. I wish I could swim, but can't fight the muscle cramps. I have a friend with MS who can walk in the water, but not otherwise.

My personal feeling is that if he can do any exercise, at all, in the water and can be made to feel comfortable, do it! Make sure the bouyancy device is comfortable and adequate. Since your husband doesn't have much movement, he won't be able to balance. I can see where that would be frightening.

I forgot the exact topic, so I hope this isn't too far off. Where is my memory/brain? who stole my memory?

Edited by spot, 04 September 2010 - 01:41 AM.





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