My Out of Body Experience.

Over the years, I have endured many forms of treatment in an effort to improve my quality of life. I'll be the first to admit that some were definitely more enjoyable than others.

Growing up, I had several surgeries, which required intense physical therapy afterwards. In my case, physical therapy has, in the past involved a series of painful stretches to help increase my endurance and physical strength There were times where I struggled to view myself as a normal kid, because most children my age didn't have to worry about surgery and physical therapy.

Lucky for me, there was a couple forms of therapy that I looked forward to, because it did not feel like physical therapy at all. Today, I had the incredible opportunity to go swimming with the children that I work with at the after school care program. For as long as I can remember, I have had an insane obsession with water. I have always LOVED swimming. While I am in the pool, I feel like a bird who has just been released from her cage. I like to describe swimming as an out of body experience, because it has gifted me with an immense amount of freedom that I do not have the ability to experience outside of the pool. One of the characteristics of Cerebral Palsy is that it causes my muscles to be rigid and weak, which makes movement difficult and often painful. The pool allows me to move my whole body with ease, because there is no gravity holding me back. My favorite part is that in the water, I am able to walk without any assistance or support. It makes me feel very independent.

The children were so excited to have me come swimming with them today, something they have never experienced before. At first, they had trouble comprehending how I would even swim, so it was neat to see the shock spread across their faces when they realized that I have almost no physical restrictions in the water. One little girl even asked me if I could stand up, so she could give me a " REAL" hug!

Days like today put one of the most important lessons I have learned into perspective. It is truly the little things in life that matter most.