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Show the swim in By Chris Bcrierschmi'dt 7 Ogden ALC Public Affairs Office Star pupil Carol Perdue suffered multiple injuries last year when the motorcycle she was passenger on had a blowout. Almost tougher than the physical trauma, though, was the mental anguish which, for months, kept her more confined than the broken shoulder blade, collar bone, pelvis and ribs. The change, she said, came the day her husband, retired U.S. Air Force MSgt. Jim Perdue, took her to an an Adaptive Aquatics class at Hess Fitness Center pool. "We literally had to carry her over to th pool, she was so frightened," said therapist Pam Osborne. "Now, look at her. She really feels . good about coming here." Mrs. Perdue said the program has taken her from thinking she couldn't do anything to where she now even goes for rides on the motorcycle. Her injured arm is almost fully recovered and she can walk by herself without any support. "It has helped me tremendously," she said. "It's hard to believe that I stood at the door and cried on the first day I got here." Director Sunny Schamber started the program in November 1986 in consultation with Maj. Anita L. Brooks, chief, Physical Therapy Services, U.S. Air Force Hospital, Hill. "A lot of people give up when they have a physical handicap. But if we can hook them on a program, their lives can change," she said. Major Brooks said the program predominantly e serves orthopedic, surgical and disabled neurologically patients plus those with diseases and arthritis. Others take degenerative the class for weight control, reducing stress and exercise. The exercise, she said, improves muscle strength and range of motion while decreasing pain associated with the injury. Unlike running, and other high impact, sports, she explained, the water sports do not overly stress body joints. "We try to increase function and strength without increasing trauma against the joint, and we do see improvements," she said. post-operativ- - c net v 71 ' srr H.., '. .J..- - ... ,,,1,V,I (U.S. Air Force photos by Chris Boierschmidt) Pool sharks Members of the Adaptive Aquative program gather in the pool center for some Laura Langston is another success story. She was hospitalized for two weeks last year after her vehicle was hit head-o- n by a truck, and still walks with a cane because of a broken femur. middle of the pool for range of motion arm workouts. Classes meet at 1 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday. They're open to military and civilian at Hill and those not affilitiated with the base because it's sponsored by the American Red Cross. Cost is $1 a class or free with prescription. The three instructors Ms. Schamber, Ms. Osborne and Lorraine Barr are certified as Water Safety instructors with Advanced Life Saving and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation training with the American Red Cross. Louise Leake and her husband Thomas said the classes are wonderful for helping all sorts of For more information about the program for Adaptive Aquatics, call Ext. 73471. "The class is a lot easier and less painful than physical therapy with weights. I still do that at home but the water exercises, I think, have ; helped even more," she said. People in the program help themselves through light stretching and flexibility exer- - -cises. Sometimes, they hold onto the pool walls and kick their legs or they go into a circle in the - exercises. strength-buildin- g handicaps.' ;Jv:'..-- .'.-- ;. "My husband's handicap on the golf course has. come down a point since we started," Mrs. Leake laughed. "But best of all, it has really helped the pain since his back surgery." 1 4 - I c 1 IIS'' lT v ' - ' ' s - . " ( hi ? ) 1 i ! Resistance Laura Langston grips the side of the Hess Gym pool for a kicking exercise. Exorcise Qypos: Passive Patient relaxes and theraoist controls movement. 2 Active Patient does all the work unassisted. 3 Active assistance Therapist helps patient complete range .1 of motion. anco "r Patient completes exercise against a resisting v' . t " '.,0 Active movement .Laurel pratg walks In place wislated. . : I : VI? J 'cl ... - - t- -. |