[hisamsmith]

I can swim. I have a C-5 injury. The only thing is that getting in cold water for more than 10 minutes causes me to shiver severly. So you might want to consider swimming in a heated pool or only swimming in a lake in the summer when it's warmer. I also use a floation device in case I need it and to help with boancy.

[milosh]

C5, can swim and love it a lot! ;)

[DaveP]

I thought I posted a message with info of on webbed surfers gloves that help make swimming easier for people with reduced hand function - check out the gloves at...

www.frogpaws.com

[Alin Steglinski]

paddydfireman, on Oct 7 2006, 11:42 AM, said:

just want to know if i can swim im a c3-c7 and have very little movement i can only move to off my fingers

i like to swim but i get cold easy. so only swim in heated pools unless you wanna freeze your A$$ off.

[milosh]

i don't have problem with the cold water.

i know an amputee [no legs, no arms] who took part in paralympics few times and think he took gold in atlanta '96... he beats up the AB guys.

under the water we can do what we can't do ''on dry''. swimming is the best therapy and activity... not only for disabled.

[rkzenrage]

It is the only real exercise I can get... holds a special place for me. If you can, do it. It has really helped me a lot. I just wish I had access to a pool on a regular basis.

[daniel562]

yeah getting in the water can be a little nerve recking
but the apartments were we live theres a poo, with the support of my wife i was able to get over my fears and get in.
nothing like being in the water with her!!!!

[RYAN68]

i went on a float this summer down the river, used a pool floatie thing from wal-mart, worked great, except it took over 8hrs to go a few miles, just had to make sure I didnt get stuck by a underwater log

[fran-ray]

I used to swim with a noodle but over the past 5 years i have been able to get rid of the noodle and swim completly unaided, luckily for me i have no problems with my arms and so i can cope but there is bound to be a way for people with less movement in there arms to swim without an aid. My arms get really tired and even though this happens i stay in the water but i allow myself to sink and then when i need more air i come back up. It's a really good way of chilling but as other people have mentioned, be careful of the cold, its bad for your circulation and after 5 minutes in cold water i start shivering. Ensure there is someone there incase you need help, and a private indoor heated pool is a really good idea. Swimming helps with my spasms aswell and it relaxs the muscles in your unused limbs.

Hope this will help everyone.

[TjTheQuad]

Ive only recently started swimming too. Almost drowned second time in, but ive learnt to take vest off and sink. then go up for air then repeat. Im a c6 complete

[Zoo]

I have swam 3x since my injury and its amazing how the water will relax your muscles. I would reccomend that you check the gyms around where you live cause most have pools with accesible lifts for people like us. There is nothing like the feeling of being completely submersed in water again. Good Luck!