BBC Presenters Tackle Personal Challenges for Children in Need Swim

Eight years prior to a transformative car accident, BBC radio presenter Gemma Stevenson would have readily undertaken a 500-length swim for charitable purposes. Gemma, 39, from Peterborough, sustained a brain injury in the 2016 collision, which now necessitates her use of a wheelchair for mobility. This BBC Radio Cambridgeshire journalist, alongside fellow BBC colleagues nationwide, is pushing personal boundaries as part of the Children in Need Big Swim. In the following accounts, they discuss the individual difficulties they intend to surmount to participate. Gemma received a diagnosis of dystonia affecting her upper body—a condition stemming from an issue in the brain region governing movement—which can lead to involuntary and occasionally painful muscle spasms. Despite her background in competitive swimming, tennis, hockey, netball, and stage performances, Gemma was advised to temper her expectations regarding her capabilities. Yet, in under a decade, she has achieved recognition as a wheelchair tennis player, sports broadcaster, ICU World Champion, and coach. “Sometimes people say you can’t do something,” she said.”Maybe I can’t do it in the traditional way that you would see it being done, but let’s see how I can adapt it.” Gemma devised a unique swimming technique she refers to as a “free paddle.” Her left arm executes a front crawl, while her right arm, which she calls her “nemo fin” due to its impairment from dystonia, performs a doggy paddle. Her objective of completing 474 pool lengths over five days is an accomplishment she could not have envisioned eight years ago. “When things get tough, I’m a lot tougher than I think I am. I’ve really enjoyed being in the pool there is something freeing about it. Gemma, along with numerous other BBC presenters and their colleagues, aims to swim 24 miles individually, contributing to a collective target of 1,000 miles. Trish Adudu’s relationship with swimming was hindered since primary school by a prevailing misconception that individuals of black heritage faced difficulties in swimming. She recalled remaining seated at the pool’s edge during school swimming lessons. She stated she was never made to feel inadequate, but rather shielded from entering the water. “I remember the teachers being aware I’d find it difficult to swim.. I think they were trying to protect me.”Somewhere in some city someone had read that black kids found it difficult to swim.” However, her apprehension towards swimming has diminished through her participation in the pool for BBC Radio WM. “Before my mum died suddenly, one of the things she said to me was just embrace life, Trish,” she said.”Don’t be scared and just challenge yourself, don’t panic about things.” “[The swim] is the hardest thing I’ve ever done. I’ve done half marathons, but this is nothing like it, it’s really hard.” She remarked: “I’m definitely going to continue swimming…I’ve fallen in love with it. “It’s not this horrible scary activity which brings back horrible memories anymore.” “It was the first time I’ve been in a swimming pool in 30 to 35 years,” stated Kevin Duala, following his enrollment in the Big Swim with BBC Radio Merseyside. “I didn’t realise until this challenge came about, the reason why I couldn’t swim: I’ve actually I’ve got a fear of submerging my head in water.” Despite being physically fit and always receptive to challenges, Kevin noted that mastering the techniques proved difficult, yet he experienced a sense of empowerment. “It is phenomenal,” he said.”Hearing our listeners talk about their journey and their fears and what they’re now going to do, I’ve thought to myself, I’ve done that. “The fact that listening to my story has empowered them to do it, that’s priceless. “It has made me feel very proud of myself, but also proud of the team for accepting the challenge.” Parin Begum resolved to learn to swim during a lake excursion with friends in Sweden. Although she acquired the skill, she never conquered her fear of water and felt self-conscious wearing her burkini. “I felt a bit weird because sometimes I might be the only person there with a swimming costume like that,” she said.”You get the odd looks. It’s already uncomfortable to go underwater and face my fears.” “Combining all of that together was not ideal for me.” While training with BBC Radio Lancashire, Parin reported an increase in her confidence and urged others to “take the plunge and drown out the noise.” “I think it always starts with baby steps and over time you get over your fear. “Go with someone you’re comfortable with and who will make you feel confident. You’ll realise that it’s not as hard as it seems. “When you take too much notice of the noise around you, that’s when you get distracted.” For news from the East of England, follow BBC Beds, Herts & Bucks, BBC Cambridgeshire, BBC Essex, BBC Norfolk, BBC Northamptonshire, or BBC Suffolk on X, Instagram, and Facebook. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.