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You just can't say enough about swimming. It is great for Spencer and he loves it. But it wasn't always that way.
We all remember the fears we had of the water as kids. Now imagine going through it twice. Once as a kid with short arms and legs that don't straighten out all the way, then a second time after over a year of operations that resulted in amputation of both your legs at the knee.
Spencer was hesitant to get back in the water at first, but we found some amazing instructors at the local YMCA that took him on. Spencer's main coach was his buddy Mr Mario who would not let Spencer quit or be stopped by fear.
Spencer grew more and more confident around the water as the weeks went on. We had only got a few classes for him when an anonymous donor paid for an entire 13 sessions. Spencer does a backstroke where he squeezes his stumps together and steers with his arms.
Spencer's mom heard about the "Swim with Mike" program in Los Angeles and told Spencer he would have to start training hard because he would have a chance to swim with Olympic Gold Medalist, Lenny Krayzelburg at the event!
Spencer rose to the challenge and he and Mario stepped up his lessons. His biggest challenge was actually diving since he floats like a cork. But before long, Mario had him diving and collecting objects off the bottom of the pool.
Kids with different bodies get a new sense of freedom in the water. The rules are different and they can succeed in ways they haven't been able to on the street.
Once the fear of the water is replaced with instruction, they can move easier and have a great way to build muscles that they would not get a chance to use otherwise
The big day of "Swim with Mike" arrived and Spencer was ready. He showed up at the USC aquatic center a picture of confidence. He took a lot of joy in taking off his legs, getting suited up and scooting over to the edge of the pool.
I saw him make sure people were watching as he flung himself into the water. I had seen him swim, but there is a moment of shock when you wonder how he is going to do it. He of course bobbed right up and easily swam to the edge.
Lenny Krayzelburg was great and took a lot of time with Spencer. Spence had pledged that he would do 8 laps. Lenny swam with him as he did 12.
Spencer currently swims every week at the Giant EPIC swim complex in Ft Collins. There is talk of getting him pre-trained for the Para-Olympics.
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