Swam to Recovery

Franklin Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 44, 22 April 1940, Page 6

Swam to Recovery

CRIPPLED GIRL’S FEAT USE OF LEG REGAINED As President Roosevelt conquered infantile paralysis, so Valerie Hoope, eight-year-old English girl, has saved herself from being a cripple for life —by will-power and swimming. Two years ago one of Valerie’s legs was so twisted that the heel was where the toes should have been. She was put under the care of Mr John Bastow, surgeon of the Bath Orthopaedic Hospital, who encased the twisted leg in plaster.

Valerie never lost her smile as she was wheeled about in an invalid chair, watching other children playing the games she could only hope, one day, to enjoy.

Then one day last summer, as she was being wheeled past Trowbridge’s new £IO,OOO swimming pool, she turned to her mother and said: “Please, mummy, may I have a swim?”

Mrs Hoope, astonished by the request, involuntarily replied: “No, dear, of course, not.’’

But Valerie begged so hard that the matter was put to doctors, who decided to let Valerie have her way. The plaster was cut off, and Valerie was wheeled to the baths. Mr Ettles, the instructor, took great trouble with this little crippled girl, and was amazed at the ease with which she learned to swim. And gradually the twisted leg was seen to be regaining a normal position.

Doctors and Valerie’s parents were further astonished when they saw the child swim 50 yards to win a certificate.

But there was better news recently. Valerie was to have undergone a big operation: but so successful has been the swimming cure that she can now walk normally: and it has been decided that the operation will never be necessary.