The point (i ramble)
"is it fair on other people if i go swim lengths at the pool when i have lots of healed but obvious scars on my arms"
Hay, so ive been doing really well recently in stopping/cutting back (hm bad choice of words lol), and i was wondering i would love to go swimming, like lengths at the near by pool, my arms are very covered in scars from backs of my hands (yes i agree that was stupid my-gloves-are-a-pain) to my sholders but their fairly faintish, mostly white (baring a few) and all healed though it is very obvious that it can only be si.
I used to love swimming ive been swimming be4 in the past but always wore long sleeves swim tops but that was always in outdoor pools and that was because people i was with didnt know, and i was younger or still doing it frequently.... i never usually ever show my arms but always wearing a top put me off swimming because it does get annoying, and drags u down now liklyhood i will get to the pool chicken out and wear it anyway but if i felt brave enough is it fair on others if i did decide to take the t-shirt off?
been thinking if i can get back to an exersize that i really enjoyed, as its close i could just go swim which as a kid i loved, when im anxious and gettin past this could be so much easier!
Well when your in the water your arms are distorted by the movement of water.
I used to wear my towel to edge of pool then drop it on side bench and jump in. If anyone noticed they didn't stare or say anything.
As for whether it is fair on others, well it is fine. It is fair as your just as entitled to swim as others.
So go for it :)
I want to kiss the bottom of the ocean before I burst through its surface into the sunlight, otherwise I will always be wondering about what was left unseen at the bottom
i'm tired of chasing my dreams. i'm just gonna ask where they're going, and hook up with them later.
Go for it im think the same thing but i have to swim at work or will have to but im just going for it you should to lol good luck and well done on the stopping luv jad
Don't walk behine me I might got you lost!
Don't walk in front of me I may not follow you!
Don't walk beside me the path is to small!
All we can do is walk our own paths,remember your not alone because we are all walking our own paths together!
go for it hun.... it would be unfair on YOURSELF if you didnt go swimming!
i love going swimming and its the only place i feel totally comfortable with my scars cos actually noone can see them. i wear a waterproof watch cos my wrist is totally messed up!!
but noone has ever commented on my scars and i havent seen them looking...the only i felt uncomfortable was in the showers cos they were communal, but there are usually intervidual ones and i sometimes take my towel in with me
you will be suprised by how liberated you feel by it!!
xx
this pic is so i can always remember jen who was my l'il sock monkey friend who has left ryl and i miss her!!!
you have the same right as anybody else to go swimming :)
and well done recovery *hugs*
I agree^
If YOU feel anxious tho, you could try going at a time when its very few people and children e.g early morning. Or maybe take someone you trust and feel they understand (as much as possible) with you.
To build your confidence until YOU feel ready for more busy times or going alone.
However if you feel ok to just go for it, You defentalilty should!
Go for it :) as someone else said, the water will distort your arms anyway, so they won't be able to see them. I've gone swimming with blindingly red scars on my legs and arms; nobody stares or says anything. To be fair- doing lengths is a fairly antisocial thing (when you look at it) so I really don't think anyone will look twice.
Wake me up before I change again
Remind me the story that I won't get insane
Tell me why it's always the same
Explain me the reason why I'm so much in pain.
It's unfair on YOURSELF if you don't go, when you want to.
If you have scars, they're there. If other people have a 'problem' with that, then *bleep* them.
The pool water actually has an interesting effect. if you're mostly under, it's harder/impossiable to see cuts/scars. I've actually gone to practice with several open cuts, and no one asked or looked at me funny (scary when ya think about it, but still).
I'm going to put my own opinion across here, which does differ slightly to everyone elses, but remember it's opinion only.
I believe it is fair for you to go swimming with scars on display. I do the same. However what I do do is only go to adult only swimming sessions as I believe it is wrong for children to see my scars. Once before I started only going to adults only I was in the communal changing area and a tiny little girl said "Mummy, what happened to that lady". And I just felt so ashamed and like I'd corrupted that little girls innocence, I mean what if by seeing my scars a child felt self harmin was an acceptable form of coping.
Then wear the gold hat, if that will move her;
If you can bounce high, bounce for her too,
Till she cry "Lover, gold-hatted, high-bouncing lover,
I must have you!"
Thomas Parke D’Invilliers
Who cares if it's fair on others, to be honest. Go because you want to go! Like the others have said, once you get in the water, no one can see anything anyway.
Once before I started only going to adults only I was in the communal changing area and a tiny little girl said "Mummy, what happened to that lady". And I just felt so ashamed and like I'd corrupted that little girls innocence, I mean what if by seeing my scars a child felt self harmin was an acceptable form of coping.
She didn't know it was self harm though because she asked what happened, there for she probably was just asking out of curiosity. I'm sure that no persons innocence was 'corrupted' & if anything, I'd think adults would be more fussed about scars...my little cousin has seen some of my old ones on accident & she just said..."Did you have to go to the hospital? oh wait, I need my lunch"...and ran off.
Anyway regarding the actual topic, I think it's ok to go swimming if your comfortable with it.
Previous username: Miss-Ruby
R.I.P my budgie Bubbles 26/01/09...in my <3 forever.
If you feel comfortable, do it!
Think about it this way, scars are scars. If you had bad scarring due to an accident you probably wouldnt think about the comfortability of others when going swimming! (well maybe) But its the same as that i think, because only you know what its from, and as time goes by it might get more comfortable as with any scars. I know SI scars look obvious, but alot of people dont even know SI exsists (unfourtunately) and i think you getting do exercize and do what you love far outweighs someone feeling uncomfortable because of what they THINK you did to yourself.
Use a towel or the tshirt if its crowded in the locker rooms, but once you get in the water no one will be able to notice anyway!
I hope you do it :) goodluck!
"They say time heals all wounds. I don't agree. The wounds remain. In time, the mind, protecting its sanity, covers them with scar tissue and the pain lessons, but it is never gone." - Rose Kennedy
this pic is so i can always remember jen who was my l'il sock monkey friend who has left ryl and i miss her!!! 
