Therapy pool helps disabled man gain strength, motion
Berl Tiskus
Chuck Lockwood floats in the therapy pool at Mission Valley Aquatics Center with a big smile on his face. Iinstructor Sharon Murphy guides him, and Chuck concentrates on moving his flippered feet.
Berl Tiskus
Chuck Lockwood and Sharon Murphy head for the edge of salt water therapy pool. Chuck works to increase his flexibility and gain strength for pure enjoyment.
Berl Tiskus
Chuck works with foam dumbbells, pushing them underneath the water. He's gone up two weights since he began.
Berl Tiskus
Chuck works with foam dumbbells, pushing them underneath the water. He's gone up two weights since he began.
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POLSON — With the biggest, most I’m-so-happy grin, Chuck Lockwood floats on his back across the Mission Valley Aquatic Center therapy pool, his flippered feet kicking.
Right behind him is instructor Sharon Murphy with a hand on Chuck’s flotation belt, smiling, talking to Chuck and encouraging him to kick.
While this sounds like an ordinary day at the pools, it’s really an act of bravery and trust.
A car accident in 1966 left Chuck unconscious for five months and paralyzed from the neck down; he now has 20 percent use of his right arm, and is increasing his mobility.
He has been working with Murphy at the MVAC two days a week for approximately two months. Murphy has taught Chuck to “wiggle” his hips so he can maneuver his legs into kicks. Chuck also works with foam dumbbells, pushing them underneath the water and hold down, and he’s gone up two weights since he began.
“What (parts of his body) he can move have gotten stronger,” Murphy said.
His goal, according to Murphy, is to transition from his lime-green wheelchair into a walker.
Carol Lockwood, Chuck’s wife, comes to aqua aerobics the other two days of the week for some pampering time and to keep herself strong in her role of caregiver.
“Chuck worked like crazy to get it back,” Carol said, adding, “The biggest issue has been his voice.”
Chuck speaks low and with an infectious grin. Carol translates if his audience doesn’t understand.
He paints with his left hand and said “the guys who paint with their teeth and their toes inspire him to “make his mud,” as he calls his paintings.
With a honest transparency and a smile on his face, Chuck added: “50 years of this bull****.”
Yet he said his handicap has been kinder than most; his brain is fine.
Murphy agrees.
“He has an amazing attitude, he’s so witty and his mind is very sharp,” she said. “Chuck has every right to be grumpy, grouchy and crabby, but he isn’t. He approaches life with a lot of joy.”
Chuck noted he couldn’t have done as much without the support of his wife. Murphy said they seem devoted to each other. Chuck is always asking Carol if he looks good.
Chuck also praised the work of physical therapists.
“Physical therapy is good, ... physically and mentally good for you,” he said.
He thinks there should be more people like Murphy.
“It’s so freeing for (Chuck), floating in some nice warm salt water,” Murphy said. “It’s amazing what the human spirit can do. He’s inspiring for a lot of people.”
“People don’t know what they’ve got here in the Mission Valley,” Chuck said, speaking about the MVAC.
Swimming is a “way to get rid of the winter blues,” Chuck adds. “It keeps your interest up.”
Part of its charm is that the center is so light and bright, Carol said. That morning, a deer walked right in front of the window by the therapy pool. The window also offers a picturesque view of the Mission Mountains.
Chuck has a message for all the people who put their money into MVA. Thanks, he said, and tells everybody to thank them by making use of the facility.
“The membership fees pay you back because your health is your wealth,” Chuck said.
