Sorry, but I just had to share this one. My middle child, who has learning difficulties, has taken lessons for over 10 years. Yes, that’s right, lessons for 10 years, along with weekly swimming at his school, and swimming with us, his family on top. It’s been a long and difficult road for him, but he’s finally done it.
For years, he screamed at the sight of water, or even at the thought of jumping into the shallow end. We closed our ears and persevered, and eventually he made it in the water.
That was no small feat in itself, no matter how simple it might seem at first.
Determined to keep going, he was signed up for a whole summer holiday one year, every morning, in a group of 6. When they all moved up to the next class, he struggled along with trying to get his feet off the bottom of the pool as he walked along, his hands doing swimming motions on the top.
Three years later, he was still in the bottom group and his lessons kept going.
Thankfully, his school began swimming, which meant he could go away from lessons with little ones when he was growing fast, and every week since, they’ve persevered and kept chugging along.
Three weeks ago, we all went swimming, and he sailed along the top of the water. His feet didn’t touch the bottom once, but he was still frightened of going out of his depth.
It’s one thing being able to swim, and quite another being able to swim out of your depth.
To let you all know, he came home on Friday with a certificate from school, to say he’d jumped in at the deep end. It might not seem much to most of you, but for him, it’s HUGE.
It just goes to show, that perseverance and patience can win in the long-term when the brain says no. As a very active child, swimming was important to him, and for us too, knowing that if he fell into water, he’d at least have a fighting chance of possibly getting himself out again.
I can’t even begin to say how much this small thing means to us as a family. Way to go middler, you’ve done yourself proud….
That’s fabulous. Such an important skill. Congrats for the perseverance.
Bravo, Bravo middler. I admire your ability to hang in there and not ever give up.
That is wonderful news and I have only recently been able to swim across a pool but nit out of my depth! To Honest Mum I would implore her to get swimming ear plugs for her son – my son used these throughout his childhood to protect his ears.
A wonderful story to wake up to. What a brave boy. Well done to him, his family and teachers for persevering.
I made the decision (before my girls were born) that they learn to swim. Mainly because I fear the water. It can be so restrictive when on holidays. Thankfully, they are both like little fish.
After reading your story, I really have no excuse. If a little boy (who battled through intense fear) can do it, then so can I.
You are blessed to have such an amazing son. So determined.
Thank you for sharing.
So wonderful to read this. My eldest hasn’t been allowed to swim due to glue ear but now he can so although he’s been in water on holiday with me helping to teach him, we are soon to embark on more formal lessons. I’m nervous about his ears and also the fact he will be 6 but I’m sure there are many kids his age and older learning too. Well done to your son x
For most kids, it doesn’t take too long once they’re in the water with other children. One of mine suffered with glue ear too, and had gromets for a while. Hope he has a great time with his swimming lessons.
Wonderful! Seems huge enough to me… it’s not the thing itself, but the effort involved, and the barriers overcome, that make a victory epic! Congrats to middley!
He’s pleased as punch. Thanks.