Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Summertime at the pool, with some independence

It was a gorgeous day today, so we all went to the pool! I brought a camera this time, to try to capture some of Elena's progress at the water's edge.

She can get into the pool by herself! Another Goal reached!



When it comes to getting out of the pool, though, Elena is very hesistant to take the last step onto the deck (and off the handrail). That's pretty understandable, given the lack of support, a cold, shivering body, stepping up, and hard concrete. But I'm sure we'll get there.

I called early in the summer about swim lessons. Ideally, I'd love Elena to take group lessons, b/c she loves peers and learns well from other kids as an example. Unfortunately, there are very few instructors here that are comfortable with E in their group class, as she is very unsafe around the pool (meaning, little confidence she can ambulate to the edge, stop, sit, etc) and they don't typically allow floatation devices during lessons (of course). I was a little disappointed, but not offended. This summer we're going to focus on fun, friends, and familiarity with the pool, and I'm going to look into private lessons at the indoor warm water pool later in the year.

6 comments:

Josephine said...

That's unfortunate that the pool wouldn't take her in a group class. Avery just started group lessons at our local YMCA, and she's actually less independent than Elena. I spoke to the pool manager at length about whether she should do group or private lessons, and he really agreed that she should be given the chance to participate with her peers, and she has done awesome! I wrote about it on our blog this week, you should go take a look if you'd like :)

Josephine said...

I've watched that video 3 or 4 times though... awesome!

Amy said...

Fantastic! So exciting, what pride you must feel as those goals keep getting checked off.

Great job Elena!

Anonymous said...

HI AMY
I TOTALLY AGREE WITH JOSEPHINE.. ELENA SHOULD BE GIVEN THE OPPERTUNITY TO TRY A GROUP LESSON.. IT SO RUBS ME THE WRONG WAY WHEN PEOPLE DO NOT WANT TO INCLUDE SOMEONE BECAUSE OF MOBILY ISSUES..

IT'S ALL ABOUT BEING INCLUDED AND THAT IS THE WAY IT SHOULD BE!!

MELISSA

Lisa said...

My son teaches at the City pools. They are really good teachers and would love to teach Elena. Please e-mail me for any info you may need (maybe she can take a group class in the fall.) I'm sorry, I wish I had seen this early enough for her to take a class in the summer!

Amy said...

I have to clarify...the city didn't say they *wouldn't* take E in their class. But, both the person on the phone I was speaking with AND myself thought that it would probably be a better idea if Elena was more steady by the pool before she was in a group setting. Despite being more expensive, I think it's a better idea for all if we have private swim lessons this fall/winter, and then try a group class in the summmer. Lisa, I'll be in touch! --Amy