As part of our Paralympics celebrations, Scope's stories team have been busy chatting to competitive para-swimmer Sofia. We thought we'd share what they've been chatting about and see whether any of you have found swimming as liberating as Sofia has. You can read Sofia's full story on the Scope website.
To celebrate the Paralympics, Sofia talks about her liberating relationship with competitive para-swimming.
I had my first swimming lesson at home in Italy, when I was 3 years old. My doctor said swimming would be good for my cerebral palsy, as water is beneficial for managing muscle stiffness.
I actually used to hate swimming at first, and would cry for hours every time I had to go to the pool. I think this was because I could see I was different from the other children.
I had a separate teacher, and we swam in a separate lane. Sometimes my teacher presumed what I could and couldn’t do, and I felt very limited in that.
“Swimming with other competitive para-swimmers was life changing for me.”
I had a new coach at the age of 9 who convinced me to start training with a group of para-swimmers.
At that point, my attitude changed completely. It was such a varied team. There were people with all different types of disabilities that I'd never seen before. I could see them swim and win races like everybody else.
It changed me because I could see that we were all in the same boat. I felt really included.
“I could do things in the water that I couldn't do outside.”
Outside the water, I have no balance, so I use a walking frame and a wheelchair. When I'm swimming in the water, I don't need any mobility aids because I'm floating.
I learnt as a kid that I could walk on my own in the water. That's always been very liberating to me.
It’s not because I want to walk on my own, but because I found I could do things in the water that I couldn't do outside.
For example, you don't think about the inaccessibility of things in para-swimming spaces because everyone is disabled.
I also get a sense of belonging from being with other para-swimmers. It’s a feeling that I can joke with someone about our disabilities without them thinking it's weird.
“I swim because I enjoy it, and it has been my lifeline.”
In 2008, I started swimming competitively on a regional level. I have now been competing in nationals since 2010. When I moved to Cardiff in 2016, I continued to train remotely with my coach.
There is a common misconception that, if you do any parasports, you must be a superhero. Or, you must compete at the very high level. I want to bring some kind of normalcy to parasports.
I’m a para swimmer, but I’m not a world champion. I do it because I love it.
This is just an extract of Sofia's story, but you can read the whole story on the Scope website:
“Swimming has always been so liberating for me.” | Disability charity Scope UK
And if you'd like to chat about the Paralympics, we've got a discussion going on over here. Come on Team GB! 🥇
The Great Paralympics Discussion
We'd love to hear about your experiences in the water 🐬
Have you found swimming helpful for managing your conditions? Or even just for your general wellbeing?
Do you find there are enough accessible opportunities to go swimming where you live?
