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Swimming
Mon, 03/05/2007 - 20:57Topic: Parents & Caregivers
I have a soon to be 9 year old who has had seizures since she was an infant. I have always been very neurotic when it comes to swimming. When she was really little we went to the pool a little bit and more often than not she had a seizure. As our family grew, I just avoided going to the pool. Finally, a year and a half ago, they all started to express interest in the pool and so I nervously started them in private lessons - where my daughter would have the attention that she needed. Last summer especially, we had quite a few trips to the pool and I was just getting a little bit more comfortable Until Dec. she was only having a seizure once every 4-6weeks - which was very manageable. In Dec. (during a med change) she started having 2-3 grandmals a week. Now, I am already dreading the pool this summer. Since I've already made a short story long - I really just wanted to know how other parents with more than 1 child (we have 4) manage the pool. THANKS!
Comments
Re: Swimming
Submitted by littlebug on Tue, 2007-03-06 - 16:08
I have an older daughter but its my yougenst is the one with seizures.There are times when my older has to help watch her sister in the pool but I dont make it her responsibilty very often.I think letting the kids be as "normal" as possible is important but I understand your fears.When my daughter(by the way is six)is in the pool we just make sure that she is supervised.If we are at a friends house or she is at a friends house everyone knows that she has seizures and helps keep an eye on her.It was hard letting her go with her friends swimming at first but I have to remember that she would not be aloud at peoples houses if I didn't trust them.I think most of the parents are more afraid than Iam.
Re: Swimming
Submitted by Mollysmama on Wed, 2007-03-21 - 14:55
Hi there. As a mom of three girls, with the monkey in the middle the one with seizures, I completely understand your feelings about being able to focus in uncertain situations. We have a pool at home, and my two big girls are on the local summer swim team. I keep my little one with me at all times and keep my eyes on Molly like a hawk. If something seems to happen - I immediately have everyone get out of the pool (at home) and go to the other side of our pool fence, or if we are at swim team I ask either a family of friend watch my youngest. My oldest is a teen, so no need to watch her as close. My suggestion to you, is to ask a teen (or adult), from your church, neighborhood or whatever go along with you to watch over your other children. While you watch all of them with special eye on your 9 yo. Then if something is to happen, the other person can take care of your other three while you are busy. Be sure to make a plan what you want the other person to do; like a meeting place, call your husband or whatever. Best of luck to you all!
Re: Swimming
Submitted by carter on Tue, 2007-03-06 - 10:12
Hello I am so sorry to here about your daughter. I have talked about this with my doctor since we have a pool at home. Granted my son is only 19 months old but the doctor said if I was right there watching him he should be fine to swim as long as he wasnt unattended. He said the same think about the bathtub. I think your daughter should be fine as long as you or someone is close by to watch her. I know its hard but through this website I have learned it is very important to let your child to have a normal childhood. I still working on this a bit.