(aka Roland vs Ronald). This clip tells the story about my adventures with hydrotherapy. I compare my swimming in 2024 with 2025, respectively 1½ and 2½ years post stroke. I also endorse the value of mirror movements, which could not be made clearer through breaststroke. I recall how, on first attempting to swim, what an effort I made, and how “Ronald”, my affected side, sank ‘like a brick’ on my first attempt ! From this initial shock, I taught myself to swim, once more. The theme that connected my recent efforts with my first efforts, aged 5, was that of joy and fun in and around water. Perhaps it’s the pleasure of feeling weightless ; perhaps it reflects our evolutionary journey from fish !
@pando Wow Roland firstly huge accomplishment going abroad, the place you stayed looked amazing, so lucky to get to such destinations. I want to say congrats on the swimming the difference in your breast stroke and staying afloat and straight is massive hurdle that you have overcome. I had my stroke age 11 whilst in the swimming pool, did drown but was rescued. I swam every week and learned like yourself on coast lines except mines was east coast of Scotland not sunny Portugal. After my stroke first place I learned to walk was hydrotherapy and from that moment I gained my confidence to get back in the water. It wasn’t long before I was back at the swimming baths that my stroke took place. To this day I still very much love the swimming baths. I don’t go at the speed swimmers pace but have now progressed to lane swimming with others. I just go at my own pace and on a good day can do 10 lengths. I have always felt the benefits from swimming after stroke just stretching exercises even walking the pool length.
Water is an excellent rehabilitation Therapy -
Spasticity reduction
pain and inflammation reduction
relaxing and stress reduced
Very low impact strength building
I am very much like yourself and cant encourage swimming more as part of recovery.
What a wonderful and relaxing video.
Roland - you have such nice soothing voice and your presentation style is amazing.
It reminds me a little of Sir David Attenborough
@pando Hi Roland, look how far you have come. Such a big difference between 2024 & 2025. I hope you’re very proud of all you have achieved.
I am not much of a swimmer- never have been. But I do go for a swim on holiday. I am still a bit wonky but have improved since my stroke. Being weightless does seem to make a difference.
Thank you so much, @ManjiB I really appreciate your comment. Perhaps I’m starting to get the hang of this? Hopefully my presentation and style will continue to evolve !!
ciao, R
I’m showing the best bits, always, Ann
In fact I keep telling my wife “the story is in the struggle” but it would never be an attractive proposition to viewers!
I think we all show the best bits to a degree but I think people would be unterested in the struggle too. After all without the struggle the best bits won’t happen.
You have an impressive range of movement. Eleven years on I still can’t get my right arm to straighten due to the spasticity in my bicep, meaning I still can’t do breaststroke (I used to do at least 60 lengths before my stroke). It would be a dream to be able to do that again. Instead I have to either rely on a float, or a strange one-armed stroke (and don’t get me started on swimming in cold water🥶).
Well done!
