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'If You Want Something, You Must Work At It Consistently'

Tribune photo by VICTOR JUNCO

Sue Moucha, who began swimming as a teen, hopes to inspire others with a physical disability.

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The Tampa Tribune

Published: August 29, 2008

Updated:

Sue Moucha, 50, Brandon

Goal: To fulfill my physical therapy needs as a hemiplegic cerebral palsy person, and educate others as to what a physically disabled individual is capable of doing in the sport of swimming. Return to fit form following unexpected injury.

Accomplishments: Four-time International Paralympic Games participant (1984, '88, '92 and '96), where I won seven medals; member of world-record 4x50 freestyle team at the 1998 World Disabled Swimming Championship; participant and trophy recipient in more than 240 recreational competitive able-bodied running, biking and swimming events; regular competitor in able-bodied adult swimming events.

Why I Did It: During my teen years, I had a choice to make - either sink in life or swim and enjoy what life has to offer. I chose to swim and start out small. I would think about being in the pool and getting some color on my face. Then, once I enjoyed that, I moved to the next step: perfecting the small swimming drills that eventually led to my medal-winning performances in four Paralympics.

Without therapy, I would most likely be in a wheelchair today and the muscles on my right side would be extremely tight. Exercise is simply a daily part of my life. There was no other option.

I was born with cerebral palsy on my right side and wore a brace on my right leg until I was in the fifth grade. Also, I grew up not able to do simple tasks with my right hand, such as holding pots and pans. Swimming, along with running and cycling, has given me the motor skills to accomplish such tasks. And I am determined not to have my body go backward.

How I Did It: Today, I swim 3,000 meters five to six days a week. It has given me the fitness level to perform efficiently in two-day competitive adult swim meets that include five events per day. I enjoy myself and am not exhausted. I do all four swim strokes: freestyle, backstroke, breaststroke and butterfly.

I swim breast and butterfly with one arm. It does not matter which heat or lane I am in. The end result is that I am the one doing the swimming, no one else. I have gained tremendous respect from the other swimmers and non-swimmers because I do not let my handicap stop me.

Regular swimming also has allowed me to maintain my flexibility, a priority for a spastic cerebral palsy person. I am capable of doing left and straddle splits.

Hurdles: In January, I severed the Achilles tendon in my good leg, the left one, in a freak accident. A week later, I had surgery. Due to the cerebral palsy, I was not able to use crutches. I spent six weeks in a wheelchair, three weeks with a walker and one week with a cane. I also had a home physical therapist for six weeks and outpatient therapy for four weeks.

Over the years, I had done everything doctors told me to avoid being in a wheelchair, and suddenly I was in one. I knew I needed to keep up my overall body therapy. I devised my own arm-stretching and leg exercises, which I did every day from bed. I also had the specific exercises for my left leg ordered by the doctor.

I would reward myself by making sure I was able to get outside, with assistance, every day to enjoy fresh air and sunshine. This combination is my personal "cure" for all ailments.

During those recovery months, I only focused on what I was permitted to do. The repetitive stretching and exercise got me back in the water in seven weeks. Then, I concentrated on swimming. In early May, I swam in two Open Water events: a 1,000-meter event at Pass-A-Grille Beach and a 1-mile event at Clearwater Beach. I loved it! By July, the strength in my left leg was back; I had excellent push-offs from the pool walls and starting blocks at a swim meet.

Going The Distance: People constantly ask me: "How are you capable of doing what you do?" My answer is: Find an activity, set up a routine, stick to your guns and always give 110 percent. If you want something, you must work at it consistently and learn to enjoy yourself.

Best Advice: Do not worry about what you look like when doing your given sport. Think about what you are doing correctly. Practice, practice and practice the little things. Your personal participation is your way to a healthy lifestyle.

Keyword: Made It, to tell us about a personal fitness goal you have reached and how you accomplished it. Or send your story to mshedden@tampatrib.com or Mary Shedden, The Tampa Tribune, 200 S. Parker St., Tampa FL 33606.

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