Samantha Ottevanger is angry and sad because the three swimming pools of Lunet Zorg are disappearing. She has muscular dystrophy and autism and therefore lives in a care institution. Every week she went swimming to keep her muscles supple and to relieve the pain in her legs.
At the end of May it became clear that Lunet Zorg wants to close all three swimming pools. “We have investigated in advance whether closure was really necessary,” the spokesperson said. The adjustments that have to be made are expensive and the healthcare institution does not have that money.
“We’re just really mad.”
Samantha and her fellow residents read the news in the newspaper. Samantha: “That’s when we really exploded. We’re just really mad.” With tears in her eyes she talks about the extra pain she has now. “For me, it means I’m just going backwards even faster because I’m not moving enough.”
Every Tuesday her mother Hennie went swimming with her. She says: “They think it’s all for fun, but you just see people relaxing in the pool. They are otherwise completely tight in the cramp or spasms. The same goes for my daughter.”
It is not a solution for Samantha to use the adapted bicycle that she will soon receive more often. “Swimming allows me to move, but without putting too much strain on my body.” Another pool is not an option either. Mother Hennie: “In those pools they don’t have what Samantha needs, such as hoists and high-low bottoms. Moreover, she would have to go there by public transport.”
“Of course we don’t live here because of our sweaty feet.”
Lunet Zorg has now postponed the final decision to close the swimming pools. The decision was made before the healthcare institution received 500 signatures from concerned relatives of the clients. And the Eindhoven Sports Council also protested.
It is difficult for the healthcare institution to keep the swimming pools open due to maintenance costs, rising energy prices and environmental requirements. The state does not reimburse those costs because it sees it as recreational swimming.
Samantha’s mother says: “Since she stopped swimming, she says much more often: my feet or my legs hurt so much. Or: I just don’t know how to lie in my bed anymore.” She therefore finds it ridiculous that swimming pool visits are seen as recreational. Samantha herself doesn’t understand it either: “Of course we don’t live here because of our sweaty feet.”