Going to see Santa

6 going on 16

Ivy has a big personality and wasn’t shy about sharing her Christmas plans with us. Her family are off to Lapland to visit Santa and his reindeer and have sleigh rides! Her parents told us that Ivy is 6 going on 16, as she confidently reassured us that she definitely has been good this year (although she couldn’t confirm the same for her parents or grandparents…)

It was only Ivy’s third Level Water assisted lesson when we visited but she is making great progress. She used a pool platform for the first time and delighted in bouncing on it under the water before setting off for a swim.

Ivy has dwarfism which means that her body is disproportionate. She finds it much harder to stay above the water without the extra support of a 1-to-1 swim teacher. She’s had some practice swimming in groups but her parents felt that she wasn’t getting the focus, attention and help she needed in the water.

Ivy is certainly not lacking in determination and tries so hard when she’s in the pool. For her parents learning to swim means peace of mind knowing she is safe around open water, whether it’s in a leisure centre or on holiday. It’s only her third lesson and with some more practice and plenty of determination, Ivy will learn to swim independently and be over the moon.

From her parents: “Thank you, thank you and thank you!”