Michael meets his mum to go swimming on a Saturday afternoon. Michael will usually go into the pool with his mum and one member of staff, the other member of staff will stay poolside. On this occasion he went with Michael H and John. Michael appeared to be quite excited when he woke up on Saturday morning and saw swimming with Mum was on his timetable. John supported Michael to get his swimming shorts and towel ready and then Michael grabbed himself a drink and a banana. Michael H asked Michael who he would like to join him in the pool ‘Michael or John’. He did this using Michael’s preferred communication - choose the right hand for Michael and the left hand for John. This visual prompt for choice usual works well for Michael and on this occasion Michael chose Michael H, so this meant John would be ‘poolside’.
On arriving at the leisure centre Michael wanted both staff to swim with him and he indicated this by saying ‘John swim’. Michael H wanted to check that Michael hadn’t changed his mind and wanted John to swim instead of him so asked Michael, ‘do you want Michael to swim as well: ‘yes’ (by holding out right hand) or ‘no’ (by holding out left hand)’ Michael touched the right hand – both staff were swimming today.
Michael went to the reception to pay and then made his way to the changing room. He got himself changed and made his way to the pool. Michael thought that John was taking a little too long climbing down the stairs to get into the pool so gave him a ‘gentle nudge’ to help him on his way. This was met with laughter and ‘applause’ from Michael. He was already having a good time.
Michael loves to splash his mum and his staff while in the pool and enjoyed the reaction he got when he splashed everyone and they had to rub their eyes and turn around!! Michael was supported by his mum to do some swimming. Mum supported his midriff and Michael paddled using his arms and kicking his legs. Michael then showed everyone how brave and relaxed he is now by ‘floating’ on the water with his mum supporting his feet and John supporting his head. This was a great achievement for Michael.
Michael decided that the ‘formal’ swimming had finished and it was time for some entertainment! To start things off he noticed a ball that one of the other swimmers had brought into the pool with them and he picked it up and looked at Michael H. Michael H responded with ‘throw me the ball Michael’ to which Michael started to wind up his throwing action ‘ready…. steady….throw’ and with that instead of throwing the ball to Michael H, Michael threw it over his own shoulder and down the other end of the pool. Michael found this hilarious and let out a laugh which was infectious and got most of the people in the pool laughing along with him. It was then the next persons turn to provide some entertainment; time to be creative...
Michael erupted in laughter once again when John showed him his ‘trick’ of going under water then doing a ‘silly’ wave. Michael enjoyed the trick and took turns with John to perform it!! It was then Michael H’s turn to provide the ‘entertainment’. Sensing the ‘under-water theme’ Michael H went under the water and then jumped out in a ‘star-jump’ - this was met with further laughter from Michael and we all then took turns to ‘star jump’ out of the water.
After all the splashing, jumping and under-water breath holding it was time for the swimming session to end. Michael got out the pool and got himself dry and changed. He then sat in the lobby and ate biscuits and drank hot chocolate with his mum before it was time to say goodbye and head back home.
The session had gone well. Both staff had ensured Michael had had a great time with his mum.
Same again next week... or maybe it will be even better? I know Michael H and John will certainly try!!
Michael Hogg
Head of Service
No-Limits supported living, Bletchley