Yes I can enjoy swimming

Well, here is another misunderstanding for me to clear up. Much of the sighted world has a very hard time understanding and believing that blind persons can enjoy swimming. Of course they can and I am living proof. In addition to ice skating and skiing, I swim as a hobby. I am a very good swimmer and growing up near the ocean enabled me to learn to swim in the sea.

As early as I can remember, my dad and my siblings took me swimming. Dad taught me how to swim and we started off with life belts but I quickly graduated to swimming on my own. Naturally, he and my family worried about my safety as with any other kid sight or not. Dad taught me how to do the back stroke, the butterfly, the crawl, plus so much more. I learned to do summersaults too; both forward and backward. Then I took my skills to the swimming pool.

One of the things that I enjoyed the most while swimming in the sea was to look up at the bright blue sky and the golden sun while I was lying on my back in the ocean. I cherished seeing that beautiful Caribbean sky and adored the sun and surf. Dad also taught me how to surf the waves and he and I used to have so much fun frolicking in them. The foam caps reminded me of lace. Now that I have precious little vision, I still enjoy it all but without enough vision to see the sky, waves, and color of the sea, I find other ways to enjoy things when I go swimming.

Dad was my best swimming buddy and I always feel very close to him whenever I go to the beach. He passed on many years ago but his spirit still accompanies me whenever I go sea swimming. Swimming is still one of my most enjoyable hobbies.

I'm Donna J. Jodhan your friendly accessibility advocate wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and help spread the message that yes! Blind persons can enjoy swimming. If you would like to know more, then please do not hesitate to send me an email at donnajodhan@sterlingcreations.ca.