A New Challenge
Friday, August 08, 2008 – 11:55 A.M. When I went to my physical therapy appointment yesterday morning, there was a surprise waiting for me. My therapist told me that my pool therapy would start on Monday, unless I flatly refused. Although I enjoy facing challenges, I am not so sure about this one. I have not been in a pool for about fifty years, and I now have a strong fear of being in the water and drowning. In the end, I decided that if this had even the slightest chance of helping my physical condition improve, I would be a fool not to give it a try. I believe that a large part of this “problem” stems from my inability to do some things for myself, and my need to have others do them for me. I do not like asking for help, and even when I get the needed help, I end up being embarrassed about the entire situation. In the pool case, I finally told my therapist that I needed help with certain things, about which I gave the specifics. She said that she was already aware of everything I needed. She also told me that she has done this for several other people with disabilities. My physical therapist has provided me with a short list of things I will need, such as swimming trunks (I figured that one out by myself). It looks as though I will be going on a small shopping spree tomorrow. While I have made the decision to go with the pool therapy, I will be glad when the first session is completed. Waiting around worrying about it is causing me to have a lot of anxiety and some panic attacks. I am hopeful that once I have gone in the pool the first time, all of this will stop. Quotes about Challenges: “When faced with a challenge, look for a way, not a way out.” ---David Weatherford
Replies
Don\'t worry no one will leave you alone in the pool. It will make your muscles relax and probably make you feel a whole lot better, hugs-Stephanie
I can\'t imagine, having all the wrong teaching you\'ve had done to you in your life.
Not all the things you were taught, are working for you now. Not to mention, who taught them to you. I mean no disrespect, but if they\'d had good judgment, you and I would never have met.
You know I\'m in your corner, and when you need extra cheering on, you can always ask me.
Hugs and Mojo
Weebs
I\'ve been assured there will be two people in the pool with me at all times. They will either be there or I\'ll come back in my next life and haunt them to death!
Now Weebs, what could possibly give you the idea I\'ve had the wrong teaching? LOL If nothing else, I was provided a way to meet you, Stephanie, and other friends here. Could there be good judgment in bad judgment?
I love those moments after you doing something you fear. When you feel so relieved it\'s over. It\'s even better when it\'s compounded by being healthy for you, too.
All the change you have to experience sure does keep your brain sharp. You don\'t get a chance to be lazy in this lifetime.
You inspire me to be courageous, Jim.
I, too, feel embarrassed when I have to depend on someone else to meet my needs. Don\'t like it at all.
Sure can understand the drowning feeling.
If you are able to relax just a little, the water will be soothing.
My aunt was afraid of water. She was like a cat.
The only good part about water for her, was the getting out of it part.
Cheez Louise...you and I are going through some life rapids.
It feels like we are raging downstream without a paddle at the mercy of the forces that move things along.
We are both maxed out.
With you, I do still see good decision making and strength amidst the terror.
Where is that friggin rainbow that is supposed to show up after the storm ??!!