I haven't been swimming in a pool for about two, maybe three, years. The main
reasons I avoid the pool:
1. my injury occured in water so I have a slight fear of it.
2. I hate wearing shorts.
3. Getting lifted in and out of pool is a pain in the a**.
4. Always worry about a bowel mishap.
5. Changing clothes takes forever--another pain in the a**.
6. I get cold easy.
7. Etc., etc., etc.
So, we have our new sports and fitness center for people with disabilities here
in Phoenix. It's an amazing place with three accessible ppols: lap pool,
therapy pool and spa. I promised my girlfriend I would go in the pool with her
this weekend.
I transferred into the pool wheelchair which is made of pvc pipes and mesh
cloth. The wheelchair goes onto an elevator that lowers into the pool. It's an
outdoor pool and the air temp was around 100f, so the 87 degree water felt
nice. As my girlfriend pulled me off the pool chair elevator my face went
underwater briefly and I didn't like it. I think my gf saw the fear in my eyes
and apologized to me.
After that we took some of those long foam 'noodles' and positioned them on my
body so I could float around without any effort. Once I got comfortable and
trusting it was heavely! I felt weightless and warm, soaking in the sun and
listening to music. I told my girlfriend I shouldn't have waited so long to get
into a pool.
Then it happened. I had a bowel accident in the pool. Luckily it was solid and
easy to cleanup. But how embarrassing! It really detracted from the enjoyment
of the day and put me back to square one: not wanting to get in the pool again.
My girlfriend felt so bad for me as she wanted me to enjoy the experience and
she had talked me into it to begin with. She handled the situation well, but I
was severely embarrassed and I'm only sharing the story with you because I know
you all can relate.
I'm not sure if I'll go back in the pool. I'll probably swallow my pride and go
back in, but it sure takes you down a notch when something like that happens.
I'm not the first person this happened to, nor will I be the last. It's just
another adventure in quad life.
I hope my story won't inhibit anyone from trying the pool or anything beyond
their comfort zone. Go for it! If you have a setback you always have support
here at the quadlist. :)
Don.
