“When can I go swimming?”

Emilia enjoying her lesson with her favourite swim teacher, Steph

During our visit Emilia finally emerged from the changing rooms after we left the pool-side. Dad, Daniel accompanied her and was keen to share her story:

Emilia has Down Syndrome and between 3 and 7 years old her physical development was restricted by chemotherapy. This gave her leg pain and meant she often gets tired after walking only a short distance. It is still quite difficult to get her to walk any great distance, so she uses a wheelchair for quick or long journeys. She also doesn’t like noise and is nervous around big groups and unfamiliar people. Just getting Emilia from the changing room to the noisy pool environment can take time.

Emilia’s local leisure centre used to run lessons for people with disabilities on a Monday night. But they were crowded with people of all ages, their parents and carers, and only 3 instructors who roamed around giving advice. Emilia made slow progress in this busy environment with her parents supporting her in the water. The council then closed the pool for refurbishment and it remains unopened.

Emilia’s dad now drives 21 miles from home each week so that she can have the opportunity to learn to swim and fall in love with the water. She’s 8 months into her weekly Level Water lessons with her swim teacher. Everyday she asks “when am I going swimming with Steph?”. She finally she gets to do something her brothers take for granted - like any sister she hates to miss out. Unlike her brothers Emilia doesn’t know when she is in danger, so she needs watching quite closely. She also likes to grab/hug people. Her best chance of learning to swim is with 1-to-1 support of a Level Water swim teacher.

Swimming lessons are a life-saving skill that all children deserve. They give her a fun way to exercise and develop her body strength. Lessons give her an activity she loves doing and is always asking to go again. Emilia is now showing signs of swimming independently without floats. The strokes are chaotic, but it works and it’s great to see her almost doing full lengths.

“To have the pool and instructor completely dedicated to her is what makes the difference. The pool and facilities are always immaculate. The staff are always very welcoming and friendly. The instructor - Steph - is perfect. She knows how far to push Emilia, when to encourage and when to accept that maybe this week Emilia isn't in the mood. She doesn't stand for any of Emilia's stubbornness and always gets something out of her. There are many children who will never learn to swim in a busy, chaotic pool. These lessons are amazing and help children to feel included. It would be wonderful if every pool offered them.

Thank you Level Water and Steph - these lessons are truly amazing.”