Mike returns to the pool after brain injury thanks to Alderwood

Mike Short, aged 58, loved swimming until he suffered a brain injury while having surgery when he was 22 years old. Thanks to Alderwood, Mike is ‘making a splash’ by attending weekly swimming sessions.

Following his brain injury, Mike was left with severe left-side weakness and was unable to walk or hold his own body weight.

We began taking residents for weekly swimming sessions in October and Mike was the first to join in. He said: “I really enjoy swimming, it makes me feel stronger!”

Kirsty McCune, senior nurse at Alderwood, supports Mike in the pool with lifestyle coordinator Debs Taylor.

“We were keen to reintroduce a pastime into Mike’s life that he had once loved so much,” said Kirsty.

“Mike was not at all nervous, he loved being in the water straight from the off, splashing and laughing. The buoyancy of the water helps to support his body weight, making movement smoother and more comfortable.

“Thanks to a regular exercise programme, and Mike’s own determination, his mobility has improved substantially since he moved into Alderwood two years ago.

“He can now transfer himself to chairs from his wheelchair and has been able to take a few steps with his specialist walking aid, assisted by team members, including paddling in the sea during the summer.

“We are looking forward to seeing how much the regular swimming sessions strengthen Mike’s muscles and the positive impact this will continue to have on his mobility.”

Mike learned to swim as a child, but it was during his teenage years that his passion for the activity grew when the family moved to Nigeria for his dad’s work. Mike would swim every day, and later he and his dad, David, took the hobby a step further and completed a scuba diving course together.

He had not been in a pool since his brain injury. The team at the home knew it would add to his wellbeing, as well as his mobility, and King Fisher Leisure Centre was perfectly equipped to welcome Mike, who uses a wheelchair.

The leisure centre in Sudbury has pool wheelchairs and a gradual slope meaning that Mike can access the pool safely. There are also disabled changing rooms with hoists and seated showers.

Anita Short, Mike’s mum, has witnessed an improvement in both his physical and mental health since being a resident at Alderwood. She said: “The change in Mike is amazing, he’s had a new lease of life and is so much happier. His mobility is improving, and his speech has dramatically improved. I cannot find the words to express my gratitude to the team.

“Mike was fed via a peg feed when he first moved into Alderwood but gradually started to eat and drink and now is able to eat a varied diet, even enjoying a beer at a football match.

“He gets involved in lots of the activities that the home’s lifestyle team organise, and he has been on some wonderful trips. Mike got to go in the side car of a Harley Davidson, which he absolutely loved, and got to paddle in the sea. Lots of wonderful experiences he would otherwise miss out on.”

Home manager Nikki Leaney said: “Swimming is great exercise, it improves cardiovascular health, strengthens muscles, and as it is impact-free it increases flexibility without putting strain on joints. Regular pool sessions help with balance and coordination, which can reduce the risk of falls, and also boost mental wellbeing.

“Alderwood is a resident-first care home, so we tailor our care to the bespoke needs and interests of each of our residents. We have residents with a variety of needs ranging from physical assistance to end of life care and for all our residents we want their days with us to be as special as possible.”

Alderwood Care Home in Colchester is located on Essex Hall Road and provides residential, nursing, dementia, and specialist end of life care. The 65-bed home became Mike’s home in 2023. We are proudly rated ‘Outstanding’ by the Care Quality Commission,