aquatics/some good news

[Guest guest]

Hello ers,

Now here is some good news I want to share. I was in the pool this

morning, doing my usual routine at one end, while the RT was working

'hands on' with a new woman with severe osteoarthritis, who is joining

our group. The RT was standing in back of her at the other end of the

pool and helping her to move and get balanced. At one point, the RT

asked me to stop for a few moments and demonstrate one of our arm

workouts.

So, I got ahold of our 'toy' and did. The toy is a round wood dowl with

two large size styrofoam round pieces on each end. What we do in the

particular exercise I was asked to show, is to press it down, (to

stretch the arm out all the way) into the water, then up, then down,

etc, and so on. So as I was showing our new friend this, she started

asking me questions like " what does this do, will it help my arms, etc " .

So I answered her questions, pointing to my arm muscles and (here's the

amazing part) naming the different muscles in the arm, shoulder, hand,

etc. Knowing names of muscles is not my thing and I must admit I flunked

Anatomy and Physiology and every biology class I took, but when I was

answering the questions, something took over, and it was like " where are

these words coming from " ?

The RT never stopped me, she just smiled and only said " there was a time

Gretchen could not do this either " . No kidding. There was a time when

Gretchen's only goal was to get in the pool. Period!

The new woman tired easily, so left the pool to change and go home

early, so it left myself and the RT in the pool and I continued my

program. The RT not only thanked me, but commented on how confident I

sounded and that she was so impressed when I explained about how the

arm/shoulder/hands work on that particular exercise, etc and asked me

where I learned all the muscle names.

Then the RT said " G, you really know your stuff " . I joked sure " pretty

good for someone with CMT who has never much been into exercise with

others " ! The RT continued to say that I just rattled off the muscles and

explained everything in just the same ways as the PTs do...which must be

where I learned this from (their drones in my ear for weeks).

If I had to tell you all about the muscles right now I couldn't because

I have no idea what I said. It was a strange and wonderful feeling then

at the same time. It also gave me a bit of joy to demonstrate an

exercise to someone new who is a bit unsure and try to boost her

confidence. Then I was able to look back at how unsure I was and how

this aquatics program has given me a greater body consciousness and a

better self image, not to mention self-esteem and muscle strengthening.

And while I have your attention, I just want everyone to know war or no

war, your group will always be here for you

~ Gretchen/Moderator