Mwarty

Hi Marty, 

I got back to swimming again but before then I walked backwards and forwards in the walking lane at the pool and the water buoyancy helped me feel balanced. I also deep water jogged in the water with a buoyancy belt strapped around my waist.

Cyling wise I lowered the seat so I could put both feet on the ground to aid stopping. I don't think I will be able to wear cleats again as they would make it harder to stop.

So it has been 18 months since my stroke now, and I have progressed from a wheel chair, to a walking stick, to walking unaided without a stick for about 12 months now. I still do  balance exercises for about an hour each day and appreciate the help of my wife and family.  I believe in repeating things to aid Neuroplasticity and formation of new synapses. 

Good luck Marty

Ian

Hi Marty,

From Duncan: I was so happy when I managed to get back in the pool at home and in the rehab hospital with the physio using a pool noodle at first under my armpits nut tgat still allowed some swimming motion, I a l so started walking in the pool and doing a running motion to propel myself in the deeper parts, that was hard but gave me a good workout.

From Garry: Hi Marty, I am nine years post stroke. I really wanted to do triathlons again after my stroke, While I was still in rehab Hospital after my stroke I was given a number of excesses to do with light wealth's to get my arms strong again. I worked on them in the back yard for a number of weeks before going to the swimming pool. I would go down to the pool at a time when the was very few people there. Over the weeks and months that followed the swimming improved.

From Karen: The physio I worked with in the hydrotherapy pool was of great assistance with this goal. Even just a couple of sessions with a public or private physio would help break down this goal. What worked for me might not help Marty as I have absolutely no idea what Marty's deficits are. You have qualified physios in the Strokeline team and on the Clinical Council who are far better placed to give advice on this than any stroke survivor.