Swimming with PMA

Many things, including swimming with PMA, have to be done differently when one has Motor Neuron Disease. I consider myself extremely fortunate that we have the financial wherewithal to afford the equipment that makes otherwise herculean or impossible tasks doable for those of us with physical limitations. Last year, we had a pool lift installed at a cost of around $7,500. Because we had trouble finding workmen to do the actual install, it was not up and running until late in the season and I was still able to use the handrail to enter the pool. As a result, I only used the lift a couple of times and the weather and water were both warm.

The Pool Lift

If you have PMA, PLS, ALS, or any other MND and own a pool, or are thinking about getting one this might give you some ideas of the pros and cons. Quite apart from the expense, you have to consider how well you are able to get in and out of the lift. Since I still have good upper body strength and function, this is less on an issue for me than it might be for others. However, I still have to position my power wheelchair just right to make the transition to the lift chair.

We purchased the Aqua Creek Admiral model 

It was supplied and installed by a local Mobility Specialist but we needed the concrete pool deck to be prepared by drilling holes, setting anchor bolts and leveling the base plate. This was the difficult part since it was a relatively small job and few local handymen were willing to tackle it. Luckily, the company who was doing some other landscape work (making the back yard more accessible for my wheelchair), agreed to do it. The unit is pretty heavy (160lbs+) and, in our case at least, has to be removed before winterising the pool, since the winter safety cover cannot be installed with it in place.

Taking the Plunge

This year, we were able to get the pool opened up relatively early and eagerly awaited the time when we could take a dip without freezing our (insert your own word here) off. Yesterday was that day. The sun was shining and the water temperature was at 21/70 degrees. I know that to many of you this might seem on the cool side but prior to PMA, I would dive in at 18/65 degrees, so I thought that this would not be a problem!

As you can see, I was in for a somewhat rude awakening!  In the past, I would have considered the temperature just fine, since I would simply dive in and the shock would last only a couple of seconds. This time was different, being slowly lowered with no control and not able to jump off the seat until it was completely submerged was like a version of the Chinese Water Torture. Once in the water and swimming, everything was fine. Even though I have almost no function in my legs, swimming is both cooling, relaxing and a chance to exercise my legs gently. In spite of the video above, I do highly recommend it.

You can find my solution to other daily challenges here!