water therapy

[abirke]

B and I go to a gym several times a week. He uses a walker; is very unstable; has all the other problems that go along with this disorder. He used to be an avid swimmer but this is one of the first things he gave up when he started realizing things were amiss. So the other day I hired a personal pt to help him learn to swim, or at least exercise in the pool. The trainer was great! He never took his eyes off Bruce and worked on B's specific needs. But I was even more proud of Bruce! He did what the trainer told him and, without much help, was very able to hold his body up, walk forward, backward and side to side, all independently.....No falling! Amen! He never once aspired (?) water which was my first concern and he enjoyed it......I say all of this to encourage anyone who has use of a pool~~~ AND A TRAINER~~~ that you might see a bit of independent mobility leading to happiness and confidence....I know I feel a little more of that stuff and I know B does too

Good Luck, Keep finding ways to be happy...their out there every once in a while

AVB

[Auddonz]

Wish I knew of a trainer with a pool for D. He spends his entire day sleeping or eating. Our life is very depressing, go no where, do nothing. Where do you find a personal PT? How costly is it?

Auddonz

[abirke in reply to Auddonz]

I can't remember if you're in the US or not but I;m in Arkansas. The gym is maintained by the regional hospital.....most ppl are old with problems. But the adjoining pool I noticed is 'class' to many children with disabilities.....so this place employs ppl trained in helping the disabled. $40/mo for the gym no trainer (B and I do that on our own), $25 extra for pt 60 min in the pool with trainer. I will hire the trainer for four times total, unless B wants more or less...What a nice way to spend a hundred bucks. You Might ask your local hospital or even google water/swim therapy for the disabled......

Good Luck

AVb

[Auddonz in reply to abirke]

Thanks for the info AVb. I am in Fl. Will make some calls tomorrow.

[abirke]

oh good, do

AVB

[Hidden]

We have our own pool and last summer C was using it regularly. Not swimming much as his left arm and leg don't really work anymore, but walking up and down and doing a few aqua-aerobic exercises. This year he has been in twice, both times when other people were around to help get him in and out - with getting out being the major issue. I am frightened to even try and go in with him on my own as I fear I couldn't get him out. My daughter arrives on 1st September when she is moving in to help so getting him to exercise in pool will be top of her list - I haven't told her yet!

We plod on.

P

[abirke in reply to Hidden]

We all love surprises.....Not being able to get your husband out of the pool is NOT one of them (thank God for children) . Yes that is why I hired a specialist who focuses on pool mobility. I will not let B go in until I am confident he can enter exit and everything in between safely. That is so wonderful of your daughter to move in to help yall like that.

Good luck Pattz Plod on with a leap or two of joy.

AVB

[Hidden in reply to abirke]

I know she really is my dream daughter. I am counting the weeks to her arrival and know that she is counting too. It qill make a huge difference having her here.

[Gadgetgeek]

Have you ever heard of flotation belts? They are excellent, back and sides of belt have foam in them, I have bought one for me as I am not allowed to use my arms when swimming, belt keeps me upright so I can use it to "jog" up and down the pool giving me a good non impact workout. If I want to go on my back it allows me to do that too.

Means I don't need support from a pat, I know I don't have PSP but wonder if it would help you thus keeping costs down. From memory the belt cost me £25.

[abirke in reply to Gadgetgeek]

Yes , I saw them and saw others with them when they did not have a trainer in assistance. I will buy such things as the trainer suggests but I think the belt is a definite

Thanks for the suggestion,

AVB

[hellebore]

Hydrotherapy is brilliant for sufferers of psp and similar. In uk your very lucky if there is a physio pool nearby. I demanded our GP got F some hydrotherapy and it was really helpful Watching the sessions and learning what to do with F. The water is natural support and with a simple life vest he can, or used to, do well. Use in floats as the opposite to weights and getting a rythym going has helped. Problem now, pool closed down. F though is much worse now and I don't think I dare risk a dip. It is awful having to dodge the request because he thinks he's very capable and is still going to get better.

Hydrotherapy is a wonderful tool though and I believe there should be far more provision.

[abirke in reply to hellebore]

Oh I do sympathize with you , and I do hope you find another pool a nd physio who can work with F. Keep looking....I did not know this place existed for our needs but indeed its wonderful. keep lookin

AVB

[shasha]

HELLO - WE TOO HAVE A POOL BUT I CANT SWIM AT ALL AS IT FEELS LIK MY BACK IS BREAKING BUT I DO HAVE A LIFE JACKET WHICH HELPS ME TO FLOAT ON MY BACK WTH MY HUSBAND CLOSE BY AS I TEND TO TURN OVER AND AM THEM IN DANGER OF DROWNING !! OH AND I ALSO MANAGE TO WALK ACROSS THE POOL WITH MY HUSBAND HOLDING MY HAND

[abirke in reply to shasha]

Good for you shasha, I wonder why your back aches....too much pressure I suppose. Does it hurt when youre out of the pool?....chiropractor may help?

Keep exercising....It's a nice way to be with your husband....

AVB

[shasha in reply to abirke]

YES IT DOES IF I HAVE BEEN SITTING AT THE COMPUTER FOR TOO LONG !!!