Learning to swim means facing our fears
Ashlynn is 14 years old. It’s almost unbelievable to me that a decade ago, an entire TEN years ago, we almost ended up a tragedy. It’s so traumatic even now I can never re-read the post. I‘ll link it here, but I’ll never re-read it. I don’t need to. It’s forever branded on my brain like a tattoo. She was four at the time. I still don’t know if she remembers it. If she does, I have no idea if it affects her. However, I have my theories.
After the incident, Ashlynn did get back in the water. We all knew how important it was long term. I remember writing another post about that. I won’t re-read that one either. Learning to swim is such an important life skill. We kept on keeping on.
After the incident, she never attended group lessons again. I hired the swim instructor and paid him privately for at least two years before the pool policy banned private swim lessons. I then switched her to recreational adaptive swim teachers. It seemed to be working, but then COVID hit.
During COVID in 2020 through 2021, my husband and I booked hotel rooms as “outings.” We always chose ones with pools and tried to teach her ourselves. She had so many successes, but nothing carried over.
My husband and I are water lovers. It’s weird to say because we live in the land locked state of Colorado. However, we find home at our “Colorado beaches” aka reservoirs. We spend our summers at campgrounds that have lakes attached to them so we can play on our jet ski.
Ashlynn, even at an older age is VERY good about wearing a life vest. She doesn’t fight or argue, but still. She doesn’t know how to swim.
This year, a client of mine who is her same age started Special Olympics swimming. His mom gave me all the info and I signed Ashlynn up. I wasn’t sure it was going to work. The coordinator was concerned she doesn’t really know how to swim and was worried about keeping her safe. She said the option of a 1:1 helper wasn’t available.
I understood. Ashlynn is 14 now. Even specialized swim schools won’t take her because of her age. I left that night feeling defeated. We had helped Ashlynn triumph through soo much! Riding a bike! Reading! Getting on stage! Dancing! Learning to swim just didn’t seem to be in the cards.
I emailed afterward and she told me to come back. She said she re-arranged some swimmers and had a plan to keep everyone safe. We showed up tonight, and there was a woman who had a son who was swimming independently and while she was watching she volunteered to help keep any other swimmers safe. That woman was assigned to Ashlynn. I could breathe. I felt my anxiety disappear, and honestly I think my anxiety holds Ashlynn back. She constantly ‘checks in” with me and if I don’t look completely relaxed, Ashlynn panics.
Life is so serendipitous. As I watched my daughter with this woman a man with his child came up to take their picture. The man literally works in the SAME office building as my speech therapy practice. I was filled with awe at the Universe and then INSTANT gratitude. What were the chances?
I KNOW Ashlynn can learn to swim. I KNOW it. It’s been a long, hard and complicated history. However, I KNOW she can. This is her year. Love you girl. I’m your biggest fan.
Love,
Mom
