Lincoln man can’t walk anymore but swims three times a week

A 70-year-old man who can no longer walk but swims three times a week is hoping to inspire others to take up the sport.

Steve Harrison was born with cerebral palsy in his right hand and leg and developed poliomyelitis at the age of three.

Following two hospital operations in March, he said he “had to accept” he could no longer walk after using crutches previously, and had turned to swimming to help.

Mr Harrison, who lives on the Ermine estate in Lincoln, frequently travels on his mobility scooter to Yarborough Leisure Centre, where staff transfer him on to a hoist before lowering him into the pool.

Last week, teams across BBC radio stations took part in The Thousand Mile Challenge for Children in Need, swimming 25 miles (40km) in total.

During the challenge, the Lincoln team met several inspiring members of the public, like Mr Harrison, who told the BBC that swimming for about 45 minutes a day had made a big impact on his mobility.

“One or two of the people that go swimming with me have said my hips are stronger now than before. It makes your day that someone notices the difference.”

He added: “It’s really just about trying it and if you find you benefit from it then keep going. I hope other people could be like me and gain confidence,” he said.

Retired yoga teacher Sheena Rayner said swimming twice a week had helped her combat the symptoms of long Covid.

She said her first time in the pool left her out of breath but she could now swim about eight lengths and also attends water aerobics classes.

“Before swimming I couldn’t walk 10 to 15 minutes without being breathless. Now I can walk 45 minutes to an hour.”

The 68-year-old, who lives in Holton le Clay, said she had “always loved being in the water”.

“I love just laying back and looking at the ceiling and floating,” she said.

Fellow long Covid sufferer Helen Mason attends the senior swimming sessions at Yarborough Leisure Centre to help with the condition.

The 54-year-old, who lives in Birchwood in Lincoln, loves handstands and synchronised swimming, so she dives for weighted toys.

“I have lost so much muscle in my arms and legs so the doctor said I need to do some kind of exercise to build that up.

“It’s definitely been helping me. I feel like a ninja or mermaid when I’m in the pool,” she said.

Tammy, from Louth, takes her nine-month-old son, Everett, and 10-year-old daughter, Ivy, swimming once a week.

Everett first attended swim lessons at 10 weeks old and is now learning to float on his back, while Tammy has conquered her fear of water since learning to swim aged four.

“Ivy wouldn’t even sit down in the bath at one point when she was very little. She’s now learnt that water isn’t as scary as she thought it was,” said Tammy, 35.

Her husband, Simon, 37, who is dad to Everett and stepdad to Ivy, used to be a triathlete and said swimming should be seen as fun.

“[It’s] one of those major things most people should learn, especially as children.”

Swimming instructor Adam Walker, who owns Ocean Walker Academy in Market Rasen, said swimming was a “sport for everybody”.

“Swimming works all the muscles in the body. It’s the best sport because if you have any injuries the water isn’t weight-bearing.”

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