I've wanted to go swimming for years. Earlier this year I left my care agency and found two great PAs who I pay using Direct Payments (read about these on the indepemdent living page). Direct Payments are flexible and allow me to control when and where I need care. These two things enable me to go swimming every week - my two PAs who I pay using Direct Payments. My PAs help me get changed into my swimming gear and transfer to a showerchair on wheels. This chair is then wheeled and connected to a pool-side hoist which lowers it into the pool. Then both PAs assist me in the water and when it's time to get out they help me get dried and dressed again. We go to Bedworth Sports and Leisure Centre - I really like the facilities there.

I love being in the water - I have the freedom to move in ways I can't otherwise. My PAs help me to do exercises, and one of them went along to a surgical appliances appointment with me where she was shown how to stretch my ankles - she does this in the pool as this is when my muscles are most relaxed and I really feel the stretch. After all this movement I really feel like I've done a full-body workout afterwards. My muscle spasm a whole lot less since going swimming and my body is much more flexible/less stiff. Swimming has made a big difference!