ID: A photo of Ian at The Rex Barossa Aquatic Fitness with Physiotherapist Aaron (left) and My Ability Pathway Service Delivery Lead Brooke (right).
For Ian, hydrotherapy is about more than exercise. It is time out of the house, time away from the routines of everyday life, and an opportunity to move in a way that feels more possible.
Supported by his My Ability Pathway team and guided by Aaron from Tanunda Physiotherapy, Ian has been attending hydrotherapy as part of his broader therapy routine. Together, they are working toward a goal that holds deep meaning for him: walking.
When asked what walking again would mean to him, Ian’s answer was simple: “A lot. I used to do a lot of it.”
Moving more freely
Hydrotherapy uses the warmth, buoyancy and support of water to help people move with less pressure on their joints. For Ian, the water provides a space where exercise can feel more achievable than it does on land.
“When the water’s fairly warm it’s beautiful,” Ian said. While he is still working toward getting more movement and strength back in his legs, hydrotherapy has become an important part of that process.
Ian’s support worker Ryan has seen the difference that consistent therapy is making. “Since I’ve started working with you, you’ve definitely got more flexibility in your legs,” Ryan said. “You can straighten up a lot more than you used to.”
That progress matters. For many people, therapy is not about one big moment of change. It is about small improvements over time: a little more movement, a little more confidence, a little more comfort, and the support to keep going.
Support that works around the person
Ryan supports Ian to get to and from hydrotherapy, helping make the routine possible. For Ian, this practical support means he can continue accessing therapy, stay connected to his goals and take part in something he enjoys.
“It gets me out of the house,” Ian said. “It’s much easier to do the exercises in the water than it is on dry land.”
That sense of enjoyment is just as important as the exercises themselves. When supports are built around a person’s goals, interests and daily life, therapy can become something meaningful rather than just another appointment.
The benefits of hydrotherapy
Aaron, Ian’s physiotherapist from Tanunda Physiotherapy, has been supporting Ian through a mix of hydrotherapy and land-based therapy. He has seen how the water can create opportunities that may not be available in other environments.
“The hydrotherapy is definitely fantastic for Ian,” Aaron said. “He’s allowed to do a lot more things in the water than he might not be able to do on land, and it’s an opportunity to just relax a little bit as well, just get out of the chair and move a little bit more freely in the water.”
For Ian, this combination of movement, relaxation and support is helping him continue working toward his goals. Each session is another step in building flexibility, confidence and capacity.
At My Ability Pathway, support looks different for every person. For some people, it might be building independence at home. For others, it might be reconnecting with community, learning new skills or working toward mobility goals. For Ian, hydrotherapy is one part of a bigger journey – one guided by patience, encouragement and the belief that every step forward matters.
And while Ian is clear that he is still working toward where he wants to be, he is also clear about what keeps him going: the chance to move, to get out, and to keep working toward walking again.
Progress can take time, but with the right team and the right supports around him, Ian is continuing to move forward – in the water, on land, and toward the goals that matter most to him.
