[Ellen Roth]

Yep, losing my ability to swim was one of my first symptoms of PD! I love lake swimming, and was starting to feel unsafe, so I bought a triathlon neoprene swimming vest! It won’t totally keep me afloat, but it does help with buoyancy and it doesn’t chafe my arms. I’m still pretty limited in my swimming ability, but at least I can go out and try it without worrying! Like you, it’s the legs that aren’t working right, so I’ve been slowing down my stroke (either crawl or breast) and mentally focusing on my legs which seems to help. The one stroke I can do, is elementary backstroke. I think it’s because both of your arms and your legs are doing the same thing ( like breast stroke lying on your back) at the same time. My other limitation is my position in the water, and I think that my legs “sink” primarily because of my back being for flexed and rounded.

[Ellen Roth]

Thanks, Robert! I’m curious as to what books covering MSA you’ve read…