Saturday 3 November 2012

Energize Awards 2012 - Happy Birthday

On 26th October 2010 Swimming After Surgery (SAS) held the very first session at Short Wood Primary School Pool in Wellington.

The initial idea had been to let ladies to learn to swim and build their confidence in the water so that they could move on to public swimming sessions.

Two years on, much more has been achieved.  Ladies are now volunteering in the community as well as swimming regularly.  Social gatherings are happening and ladies are not afraid to go out and get involved.

                                                                       

At the Energize Awards held at the Greenhous Meadow, Shrewsbury on Thursday 1st November 2012 we were lucky enough to obtained 3 Finalist Certificates thanks to all the hard work put in by the committee and our founder Fiona Smith.

At the Active Lifestyle Awards in May 2012 held at The Place, Oakengates Swimming After Surgery (SAS) obtained 2 runner up awards and Volunteer of the Year went to Fiona for all her hard work in running and organising Swimming After Surgery (SAS)

                 

So 2012 has been a very successful one for Swimming After Surgery (SAS), not only in recognition but also it has expanded to Gatwick and Walsall and sometime in the future it will be going to Cannock Chase.


Sunday 1 July 2012

Cancer Research UK Race for Life Shrewsbury

The day is Tuesday 26th June 2012.  The weather is showery but warm.

We arrive early for my very first ever Race for Life.  I had no idea what to expect about parking so thought the early arrival would be a good way to start.

Apart from the organisers we were the first to arrive.  The grass was extremely long and it took a bit of pushing power to get the wheelchair from the car park to the showground itself. 

It was well worth the effort as everyone we met were really friendly.

I had decided to push the manual wheelchair around the course myself as it had been described as "flat". 

Once the warm up was out of the way.  Runners were asked to go first followed by walkers then prams and wheelchairs.  I was lucky enough to have found a fellow racer who offered to push me over the wet muddy bits and long grass should the wheelchair get stuck. 

Off we set.

I had no idea how long it would take me to complete the course or what my goal finish time would be.

As I did the second lap of the circuit I knew I was heading for about the hour mark. 

With this in mind this is what happened. 



I was just outside the hour mark with a time of 1 hour and 5 minutes but the effort was worth it.  The money raised was going to a good cause and I did it on behalf of everyone at Swimming After Surgery (SAS)

Hence the pink swimming fins on my feet


The bottle of water was certainly needed.  The goody bag was a lovely present.  Yes those are bananas next to me as a team called "The Monkeys" were running and walking.  They were so supportive they came back after they completed their race to help those of us who were stuggling with the wet grassy/muddy hill and pushed us up that bit to make the going easier for us.  Once on the flat I was off like a rocket.

Would I do the event again.  Yes I definitely would as community spirit was certainly in abundance and everyone helped each other through the hard parts.

That is what life is all about.



Wednesday 29 February 2012

New beginnings at Swimming After Surgery (SAS)

As the weather is getting warmer and the nights are getting lighter people are looking at new opportunities to take.

Swimming After Surgery (SAS) is no different.  I have had a few enquiries in the last couple of weeks from ladies who are contemplating plucking up the courage to try something new.

Today I received a phone call from a lady wondering what to do about the fact she has no hair.  I told her not to worry about anything as I can provide her with a swimming cap. 

A swimming costume is a more personal choice so I have left what she wears up to her.  I also suggested that if she wanted to she could choose to wear a t-shirt over the top of the swimsuit as this is not a problem.

The first step is the initial telephone call after that, it is the courage to turn up at the pool.  For some it may be they just need to get their bearings walk around the pool and then settle into the water.  Others just want to get right in and go for it.

We all have different ways of coping and each one of us has had a totally different journey to get to Swimming After Surgery (SAS).  This is fully understood and respected.

I love my swimming and my life.  To set up Swimming After Surgery (SAS) was a challenge but the challenges I now face are totally different.  It is not a matter of numbers it is making everyone feel comfortable so that they feel that they can attend regularly.  I know that there will be times that someone is going to feel unwell, tired, exhausted or have other family commitments so that they cannot attend each week.

It is for this reason that Swimming After Surgery (SAS) is flexible. 

The main thing is to have FUN and enjoy Swimming After Surgery (SAS). 


Sunday 19 February 2012

New Website for Swimming After Surgery (SAS)

Well it has taken a while but finally http://www.swimming-after-surgery-sas.org.uk/ has been born.

It is with special thanks to Telford and Wrekin CVS and all their hard work that this has happened.

If anyone else is contemplating getting a website up and running for a local community group talk to your local CVS and see what help and support they can give you.

I have learnt the hard way as usual but we have got there in the end.

One tip is prepare a brochure first.  That way you know what you want to put on your website and can copy type it or if it is already on your computer copy and paste each page as you go along.

Then you can be creative and work out the website layout and colours etc.

Let your imagine flow and see what you can create. 

Many thanks to all who have helped with this project.

News will be updated regularly on the website and this blog.

Best wishes to everyone.

Fee

Wednesday 15 February 2012

Swimming After Surgery (SAS)

Swimming After Surgery (SAS) was born in October 2010.  The aim is to help ladies who have had breast cancer surgery regain their confidence by learning a new skill or improving their swimming ability.

Following surgery everything changes.  Many people feel they are being stared at due to the possibility they could be wearing a wig, or a prosthesis.

I went through all these feelings myself in 2008 and wanted to do something to help others overcome these fears and barriers.

In January 2008 I bought my first mastectomy swimming costume.  The next step I thought was going to be easy which was to go back into a swimming pool.  It took six months to pluck up the courage and eventually ask for help from my local leisure centre.

In April 2010 I was speaking to a friend who had had a mastectomy.  "Now you are on the road to recovery, what would you like to do?" I asked

"I would love to be able to learn to swim but I can't afford lessons." 

The next day I telephoned the local council to see if there was a way I could set up a mastectomy swimming group.

I was advised to speak to the local breast cancer support group, obtain feedback and go back to the council at a later date.

I followed this advice and at the breast cancer support group I was asked why I only wanted mastectomy patients.  Lumpectomies leave huge scars too. 

Well I had to rethink the project and had to come up with a name that could expand to other types of surgery in the future.

Swimming After Surgery (SAS) was born.

October 2010 was the very first session of Swimming After Surgery (SAS).  I was undertaking a Level 2 Web Design course so while it was half term the first session of Swimming After Surgery (SAS) took place.

I had envisaged being on poolside giving encouragement.  The ladies who attended that evening had other plans, which was for me to be in the water with them.

Once I had completed my college course in January 2011 I was back every Wednesday evening to Swimming After Surgery (SAS) to nurse it along and to ensure the ladies were enjoying the sessions.

January 2011 I was fortunate enough to commence a Level 1 Teaching Aquatics course.  I completed this and passed in March 2011. 

This enables me to help the ladies in the water with the knowledge and confidence that I can teach safely in the water.

Wednesday 15th February 2012 proved just how much knowledge and skill I have gained.  I had a new lady who was a non swimmer attending the session.  As the sessions are to be pre-booked I knew that I was going to be busy.

Within 3/4 of an hour this lady was swimming widths with just a woggle held out in front of her.  She was smiling and so was I.

This is what Swimming After Surgery (SAS) was set up for.  To build confidence and learn new skills.

I am certainly learning new skills in and out of the water.

Life is certainly full of challenges and I am loving everyone of them.

Best wishes to you all
Fee