“Going to WeSwim is the highlight of my week. Learning to swim has been a euphoric feeling and something I never thought I could accomplish after having a stroke.”
About Eddie
Eddie used to be very fit and active as a regular boxer and bike rider. After suffering a stroke during an operation and suffering from bad mobility, he was looking for a low impact way to get stronger.
Finding WeSwim
He heard about WeSwim from a leaflet at a stroke group in Hoxton. He has now been a member of the Old Street club for a year and WeSwim has been a key part of his recovery journey.
He said: “I was inspired by the Paralympics and asked the WeSwim volunteers for advice on how to learn to swim with limited mobility on one side of his body. I felt safe with a volunteer next to me to encourage me to try new techniques. Together we’ve developed a modified version of breaststroke and now I can swim!”
Swimming with WeSwim has helped Eddie grow stronger and more confident. But for him, the social side is just as important: “Although my journey to the club is quite long and challenging, I always look forward to going and try to arrive early to chat to everyone. Each week I have a laugh in the water with the volunteers while exercising – we’re even trying a new ball game in the training pool.”
He has recommended WeSwim to others in his stroke group: “Regardless of your disability, being in the water can help to make anyone feel fitter and stronger. Even something as simple as being able to walk round the pool unaided has made a massive difference to my wellbeing – something I didn’t think was possible before WeSwim.”
