Life in the slow lane…
Getting anywhere in Sydney has been a test of patience lately, but today in particular, the city felt like an impossible challenge. With the city rail undergoing work and the light rail out of action, the commute became such an ordeal that I decided to steer clear of the centre entirely, opting for buses or staying put whenever I could. It was such a contrast to step into the local pool a little later. Perhaps it was the timing of the school holidays, but the pool was blissfully empty today, a far cry from the usual crowds.
I have been going to this pool for as long as I have lived in Sydney, but my connection to it has deepened over the last few years as I have started going for hydrotherapy. Not official class, it is hydrotherapy in a personal sense; my physiotherapist provides me with exercises to build body strength, a routine I now commit to at least once a week, sometimes twice depending on what my schedule allows. I truly love the time I spend there.
I must admit, I was quite apprehensive about returning to the water after losing my lower right leg. The first two times I went back, I was terrified that I might drown, even though, in truth, I was probably just very weak at the time.
Although I had fond memories of learning to swim at the local pool in Lismore during primary school—I still have a certificate for 50 or 100 metres somewhere—I have never been the kind of swimmer who enjoys doing laps. I simply love going to the pool to enjoy the water, to relax, and to be present.
As part of my Limb Shift podcast, I’ve spoken to quite a few people about the water and how important it is for both relaxation and rehabilitation, but two in particular spring to mind.
Elizabeth Wright, a colleague and Paralympic medal-winning swimmer, talked about how much she loved the pool from a very early age and the weightlessness it gave her, noting, “In water, I feel freedom because the water supports my body so much”.
Another person I spoke to, Mick O’Dowd, is a quad amputee who talked about the role of the pool in his rehabilitation, describing how he progressed from relying on flotation devices to swimming laps. He emphasised that the pool became a true sanctuary for him, explaining, “It felt great to feel weightless”.
My own journey with the pool is currently running parallel to the physical adjustments I am making in my daily life. For the last six months, I have been having issues with my prosthetic not fitting over my stump as well as it used to, which has meant relying on extra thick socks just to keep it from falling off. I recently received NDIS approval for a new leg, and a couple of weeks ago, I went in for a fitting that involved the old-fashioned process of using plaster of Paris.
On Wednesday, I went back to the hospital to try on the new test socket to see if it feels right, and I have been wearing it this week to gauge how it performs. My prosthetist advised that I can wear this one with just a thin sock, and so far, it seems to be going well, though I have another appointment this coming Wednesday to assess my progress.
While I do have a long-term goal to get back into the water and actually swim some laps, I am happy to take my time. I have NDIS approval to invest in some swimming classes, but it is important to me that I work with someone who is experienced, someone who can supervise me and collaborate with my physiotherapist to ensure I am doing everything safely. For the next twelve months, that is the plan.
In the meantime, I am content to just go to the pool, enjoy the water, and find that sense of quiet and relaxation that has been so hard to come by in the city today. It is a simple joy, but one that feels more necessary than ever.
