ForBergenfield ’ sChristine Kochell , the weekly trip offers arespite from the neurological disease that has numbed her from her legs down . “ My legs are weak , and Ihave touse awalker or wheelchair for the distance ,” she says . “ Coming here allows me to feel human . Ican go in the water and use my legs like Iused to use my legs . Itjust gives

you that feeling of normalcy that you can ’ t get ondry land . Ican move my legs like you would think nothing was wrong with me .” She ’ s been coming to this pool for that feeling for seven years .

The Bergen County chapter of the National Council of Jewish Women has been hosting the swimming program since local member Ruth Cowan started it 47 years ago . It ’ sthe only free , volunteer-run “ swim-in ” for MS patients in the country , according to the council . Anyone with MS can attend the hourlong sessions , aslong as they have the approval of adoctor and the program ’ s physical therapist , AvaSilverstein .

Silverstein , who volunteers her time , leads attendees through group activities and spends about 15 minutes with swimmers , giving each of them personalized exercise routines .“ When they ’ re in the water they can move more freely than they can walking around outside of the pool ,” Silverstein says .

MS is the “ most common disabling neurological disease of young adults ,” with symptoms that generally begin appearing between the ages of20and 40 , according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke . The condition affects the central nervous system and causes arange of

KEVIN R . WEXLER

36 2023 EDITION ( 201 ) HEALTH