The lady at the pool

[gowalking 10,790]

I went to my Water exercise class last night and there was an extremely morbidly obese woman in the Water struggling to get out of the pool. It took two strong men and her friend or sister to get her out. It also took several minutes. Our class had started thank goodness but I could see that there were still people watching this going on and all I could think was here was this woman at least trying to do something good for herself and I didn't know if she would ever come back because of this challenge to get out of the water.

I wanted so badly to tell her to keep at it but I knew it was none of my business. Plus...I would have wanted to explain that I knew how hard it was to be so physically challenged and again, I would have been giving her my story without knowing if she was the least bit interested.

So I kept my mouth shut but I do hope she comes back and they make arrangements with the staff to make sure she can get out of the pool without so much difficulty next time.

All I know is that I felt so badly for her. Both because she was so obese but because there was no dignity to being hauled out of the water like she was. I don't know they could have done it differently but it wasn't a good thing as they were pushing and pulling.

[AvaFern 3,516]

Ugh that stinks. I was a lifeguard when I was in college and we had a handicap lift that helped larger people and those who couldn't crawl out of the pool due to injuries or whatever. It would be nice if pools that had aqua aerobics all had this type of device. I would have been so mortified if I was her and I would likely never have gone back, which certainly doesn't help her at all.

[LipstickLady 25,682]

All our pools are equipped with portable stairs that can be moved to any side of the pool where they might be needed in case of elderly/injury/obesity. That's a HUGE safety issue, IMO. What if she had a heart attack?

[une nouvelle vie 327]

Oh that could have been me if I'd have waited any longer. Right around the time I first went to see my surgeon I got a gym membership because I knew that at 450 pounds the ONLY exercise I could attempt was walking in the water/dog paddling. I would walk back and forth across the pool for about 25 minutes and then tread Water for 35 minutes in the deep end. The first time I went to get out, I was scared.

I was wearing one of those bathing suits with the skirt so (of course) it was soaked and not helping by holding me down that much more. Luckily I was able to grab the ladder (this pool has steps at the shallow end that are not nearly as gradual as they should be) and pull myself up step by step. I remember thinking that had I been just a tad older or with a little less muscle tone or a little bit heavier I may have needed help.

Like you, I hope she keeps coming back and doesn't let this set her back.

[Mommabird 367]

I am very glad to say that the YMCA where I take Water aerobics has a lift and I've seen it being used under just those circumstances. The teenage lifeguard was so kind and gentle with the lady. He put her completely at ease with everything that was happening. Too bad we lost him to an out of state college!

[JamieLogical 8,684]

What a sad story. I think I'll send up a little prayer that she doesn't give up and finds her way back to that pool or another more accommodating one and doesn't get discouraged about improving her health.

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

You know, I'm thinking she may have already been there in the past, who knows, maybe she does this more often than we know! I'm glad she's doing it, and if I were there, I would befriend her, and, over time, tell her MY story....can lead to something wonderful!!!!!

[Inner Surfer Girl 12,015]

I am that woman. When I moved here I visited our local wellness center for a Water aerobics class and had to have help getting out of the pool. They have stairs, but for some strange reason the rail doesn't go all the way to the top on one side. The top two steps are when you get the full force of gravity and I certainly need handrails to pull myself out of the pool.

[gowalking 10,790]

The pool does have a chair lift and stairs for those who need help. Unfortunately, this lady just did not fit in the chair and I knew she was concerned that the chair wouldn't hold her. As far as the stairs, she just couldn't manage them without assistance. It was like trying to get someone paralyzed out of the Water. She couldn't do much of anything to help herself. I think the people helping her were not being insensitive...it's just that they had to move a very large person who wasn't able to move herself and it just wasn't pretty.

All I could think was how terrible to be so large that you are basically trapped in your body and can't do even basic things. I never got that immobile, but I wasn't all that far from it.

I will keep an eye out for this lady and see if she continues to use the facility. I do hope so.

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

It's a vicious circle. My mom is unable to exercise and can barely walk. Water is the only place she can move well, due to her size and rheumatoid arthritis. But she's so self conscious about getting in and out of the water that she won't go to a pool. Forget the beach. She's unsure of her footing on sand, so that became a thing of the past a decade ago. Her life has become narrower and narrower. It saddens me but there's nothing anyone else can do.

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

@@JustWatchMe

Do you think your mom could do "Sit and Be Fit"? It's a workout you do sitting in a chair, including "walking". It is on PBS here in Washington state, but I believe you can also get it on DVD. I did the workouts for my pre-op phase, since I couldn't get out then. And of course, you do it at your own pace. It is a great program!

[JustWatchMe 7,117]

@@JustWatchMe

Do you think your mom could do "Sit and Be Fit"? It's a workout you do sitting in a chair, including "walking". It is on PBS here in Washington state, but I believe you can also get it on DVD. I did the workouts for my pre-op phase, since I couldn't get out then. And of course, you do it at your own pace. It is a great program!

Possibly. That's a good idea. Now if the suggestion can just come from somebody other than me so she doesn't bite my head off, that would be great.

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

@@JustWatchMe

Ok. I'm not afraid! (I'm married to a cop...how scary can she be?!) Seriously, I noticed in the post "Question Regarding Cervical Spinal fusion & WLS" a response from MissMac who suggested a video by a David Stamps called "Exercise for the Bedfast", which may also help her.

If you would like, I can write her a note via you, if you think it would help. I understand how she must feel. I learned from my aunt (now deceased) that if you don't use it, you will lose it. She had terrible rheumatoid arthritis which limited her ability to move. She always told me to keep moving no matter how painful it is. Because when you stop (with a disease like that) you more than likely won't get started again. She was a great lady, and I miss her. But I remember her pain, her words, and her encouragement. All was NOT lost!

Let me know if I can assist! I'd be glad to!

[Stephanie Stroup McIntosh 157]

I would encourage you to talk to her. Become her friend. Once you get to know her a bit, then maybe you can share your story. It is great to get encouragement from others and helps to keep people motivated. I found that it also helps to keep me motivated because I want to show them how well I have done and that they can do it too.

[CanyonBaby 1,852]

I imagine, like me - I had NO idea, there are a lot of folks out there who don't know this life-saving surgery exists, or don't think it can help them, in their particular situation. I think it would be great if we, as WLS patients could spread the word, a little here, a little there....it just might save someone's life. And just think of the impact that would have on so many OTHER people's lives.....