Blog - Puddle Ducks helped me to walk - Ena's story

Beautiful Ena

Our Newcastle franchisee emailed me recently with this story, saying "I just wanted to share this lovely story from one of my Kickers - you must feel so proud that your programme has helped a child such as Ena – I know I do as her teacher :0)":

"Our daughter Ena was born with a problem with her heart and has already undergone 3 open-heart operations all before her 2nd birthday. Weeks at a time in hospital meant Ena lost a lot of weight and her muscle tone deteriorated a lot; she was so poorly on her first birthday that she couldn’t even sit up. Once recovered she became a bum-shuffler but then a year later aged 2 she had her 3^rd operation; after the operation Ena’s physiotherapist recommended swimming lessons to help strengthen her muscles.

We had only taken Ena swimming 3 times before but were eager for her to love the water and be safe in it! Plus we really wanted her to walk like her little friends. Ena loved ‘Kickers’ from the start - the warm pool meant that she didn’t get cold after 10 minutes like she did in public pools and the friendly staff and children her age really helped her settle in.

I wanted her to walk but didn’t actually realise how swimming would help her - after just 6 weeks she took her first steps! She broke up before Christmas a bum-shuffler and returned to Puddle Ducks in the New Year as a walker - much to everyone’s amazement (including my own)!

Now I find her singing the theme tunes to her teddies and teaching them the swimming signals. I can’t believe that she can already hold onto the side, hold her breath underwater and jump in - last week she even held onto woggles by herself. Thank you Carolyn and the team for helping Ena settle into swimming which in turn has helped her gain confidence and strength!

She loves being a Puddle Duck!"

Thank you Kim for sharing Ena's story - we are absolutely delighted to have played a part in her development.  A window wobbler is on its way to you!

Posted: Wednesday, 25th May 2011 by Tracy
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