How I learned to swim

I learned to swim like almost every other kid did! Dad taught me and he did it effortlessly and with no prompting from anyone. He taught my brothers how to swim and the only difference here is that I was blind and my brothers were sighted.

Dad gently placed me on my belly in the calm waters of the ocean, placed his hand under my belly and then told me to paddle my legs and move my arms. I was never afraid and soon he was showing me how to swim back and forth. After this came the different strokes: butterfly, back stroke, the crawl, and so much more.

Dad took me into the sea and showed me how to swim beyond the breakers. He showed me how to surf and jump the waves, swim with and against the current, and the rest was very easy. Then we went into a fresh water pool and by that time I had learned enough to swim on my own.

I have so many memories of Dad and my brothers frolicking in the waves with me. We had such fun and my cousins were always there to share in the delight. I used to love to lie on my back and float effortlessly, looking up at the bright blue skies with puffy white clouds drifting lazily by. Or I would lie on my stomach and swim slowly back and forth, looking at the sunlight playing on the water. I did somersaults, dived below the surface, swam with one leg in the air, and so much more. What great memories forever!

I'm Donna J. Jodhan, your friendly accessibility advocate, wishing you a terrific day and urging you to go out there and share my swimming delights with others. Come visit me at www.donnajodhan.com.