When swimming in the sea, I am truly free

My name is Kirsti. I have Ehlers-Danlos syndrome and find activity painful; I get jealous of seeing others doing activities without boundaries but when swimming in the sea I am truly free.

What do you do to protect and improve your mental wellbeing?

Activity is often difficult for me due to my disability, but I had always enjoyed swimming and being in water.

However, I get bored in a swimming pool, so I started seeking other ways to enjoy and love the outdoors. But walking is painful so joined the two and started cold water swimming.

What is one thing you have started doing in the last year that’s helped your mental wellbeing?

I joined the Bluetits Chill Swimmers in North Wales and regularly swim in the sea off Prestatyn beach.

Why is looking after your mental wellbeing important to you?

I have a stressful job and a degenerative disability, so good mental wellbeing keeps me fighting.

Me and my sister enjoying a dip in the sea at Nova Prestatyn.

Anything else you’d like to share? This might be a quote you like advice you’d like to give to others.

Take the plunge and do that unusual activity – you will never look back.