Mermaid Time is Here!

FINALLY!!! IT HAPPENED!!! I'm the luckiest mermaid ever.

The swimming pool at my Mama's senior community opened up. The water is perfection. She and I couldn't wait to get to use the pool in her beautiful neighborhood. Covid delayed our anticipated dip, but it also made us all the more eager to be the first ones in.

I adore swimming. I always have. I feel most at home in any body of water. That's why when my muscle disease came into my life two years ago I told people "I'm just turning into a mermaid!" I always knew I was one.

Water is also the very best way for me to get exercise. It's supportive and safe on my muscles. Like all things though I have to be very cautious not to do too much. Which is exactly what happened on the first day we swam. I learned however and adjusted. Now I have two pool noodles. I stick one under each arm and try to just move my hands, torso and legs. Not so much my arms.

The hardest part of swimming is getting out. Not that I don't want to get out (but that too), it's because my body then feels to weigh about 1,000 pounds. It's a serious strain and very challenging, but I just go slow. Even if the pool had a wheelchair lift I don't think I'd use it (*yet). It's a good workout just getting in and out.

In fact... putting my suit on, getting to the pool, unhooking my wheelchair, getting in, swimming, getting out, drying off, getting my suit off, taking a shower, getting dressed again is about 99% of my spoons for the day. It's a serious workout for my body. But it's also one I'll enjoy doing for as long as I can.