In the swim
Polio survivor learns to swim with support from UD students, faculty volunteers
1:42 p.m., June 9, 2015--When Wayne Harris, a junior health behavior science major at the University of Delaware enrolled in classes for the spring 2015 semester, he thought that "BHAN342: Introduction to Adapted Physical Activity" was a traditional lecture class. He was surprised when the professor, Steve Goodwin, explained that students would be required to work hands-on with individuals with disabilities.
Harris admits that when he showed up to his first adapted swim class at the pool in the University's Carpenter Sports Building, he was checking the clock, anxious to be done with the assignment. His attitude quickly changed when he met his assigned participant, Sravan Kumar.
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Kumar immigrated to the United States from India eight months ago. Having contracted polio as a child, Kumar has minimal use of both legs and his left arm, but he is determined to live independently and not to let his mobility limitations slow him down. He found out about the adapted swim class through a Google search for “swimming classes for physically challenged in Delaware” and showed up one night to see what the class was all about.
“Dr. Goodwin introduced me to everyone, and I felt relaxed right away,” Kumar said.
On their first night together in the pool, Harris helped Kumar get comfortable in the water. Kumar gripped tightly to Harris as he practiced moving in the water. The next step was for Kumar to use flotation devices and float on his back. Another volunteer taught Kumar breathing techniques as he held on to the edge of the pool. Soon, he was paddling across the shallow end of the pool as Harris helped him hold his head out of the water.
“Sravan only really has use of his right arm, so he had to develop a stroke that would not result in him going in a circle,” Goodwin said.
When they were in the pool together, Kumar would wear earplugs so he and Harris learned to communicate with each other by using body language and eye contact. One day, Harris said, he and Sravan looked at each other and both knew Kumar was ready to swim alone. Harris let go of Kumar’s head and, staying close by, watched as Kumar swam independently around the shallow end.
By his fourth week of class, Kumar had swum the entire length of the 25-yard pool at the Carpenter Sports Building.
“In the many, many years I’ve been running the Wednesday night adapted swim classes, I’ve never seen a participant progress this quickly from total non-swimmer to complete independence in the water,” Goodwin said.
Kumar attributes his progress to the “friendly and welcoming environment created by the students and Dr. Goodwin.” He said, “I couldn’t have done this without them. The volunteers all have a helping nature and really supported me.”
Inspired by Kumar, Harris said he plans to continue with the adapted swim class next semester as a volunteer. When asked how it feels to know that he helped another person achieve independence, Harris smiled and humbly replied, “All I did was help Sravan get comfortable. He focused on using less and less of my support until he didn’t need me at all. This was all about Sravan and his determination.”
Kumar said he is looking forward to continuing with lessons. “In September, I will come back to class with Dr. Goodwin, Wayne and the other students so that I can become a stronger and stronger swimmer,” he said.
He’s also excited for his family to arrive from India this summer. “I think my family will be amazed by my progress and how comfortable I am in the pool. I can’t wait to get in the pool at my apartment complex and show them what I have learned at UD,” he said.
Article by Sarah LaFave