The Boy That Didn't Listen

The ice was still thick on the lake in a lot of spots, but thin in some areas. Parents were keeping their children away from the lake due to the unstable ice, age of children, drowning possibilities etc. There was a family in the community with four children and one afternoon after school their ten year old took a short cut over the lake. His family looked on in horror as the ice gave way in the center of the lake and he went under. The older sister ran to her neighbor and told them what happened and the husband sprung into action, had his wife call the fire station and also called for the ice rescue team. He went out to where they saw where their brother went into the water. The neighbor tied off a safety rope then started towards the big hole.

When the neighbor arrive he was able to see the puffed out coat of the boy and grabbed him by his coat, then brought him out of the water. By that time the other crews arrived and took over for the boys care. The parents called their neighbor a hero, the neighbor said no, just doing my job. They rushed the little boy to the hospital for a two night stay to make sure that he had no complications. Two weeks later the boy developed pneumonia and was hospitalized for a month making a full recovery. The families in the area wanted a fence around the lake to keep kids away from it, but they said kids would find a way into it any ways.

The family whose little boy took the tumble moved away when the bullying, harassment became too much for him to handle. They moved somewhere that there wasn't a body of water within ten miles of their house. After they settled into their new house and neighborhood they started building things together, the father and his son started to build small racing cars for a hobby. It brought the father and son closer together and strengthened their bond.

But the near drowning incident also had a profound affect on the little boy and that was he was afraid to go out on the water again. He didn't want to go fishing and his favorite song by Gordon Lightfoot, now triggered nightmares. The boy's father was at a loss of what to do. So finally they took him to see a child psychologist, but he wouldn't open up to her. His dad planned a family vacation swimming, fishing, all of the fun things he asked to stay with his grandparents. Anytime they would try to throw him in the river, lake he would latch onto his parents or whoever had him. The child psychologist said you have to stop forcing these events on him and let him heal on his own.

The next year the boy was finally able to go to Boy Scout Camp and he couldn't wait. His mother packed a pair of swimming trunks knowing full well they wouldn't be used. They arrived on Sunday and checked into the office. Only problem is swimming check was the first day and this boy knew it, so he went to the pool completely dressed, then sat down. The camp director came over and sat down beside the young lad to inquire about his non participation in the swimming activities. He asked you do know how to swim don't don't you and the young lad, named William said of course I do.

The camp director said maybe I should just throw you in the water and William became extremely frightened. The director said William come to my office after this is over and talk to me when your group is finished, which he did. The camp director introduced William to a swimming instructor who specialized in trauma induced therapy. The camp director had known about Williams near death experience and knew that's why he was refusing to swim on the first day.

That night after the evening meal the therapist suggested they walk down to the lake. Whey they arrived the therapist suggested that William change into his swim suit and he would do the same. William refused to get into the water but he did put on the new bathing suit. On Monday night the therapist tried again, and William wasn't having it. Then the therapist said do you trust me William? William said Yes. The therapist said then take my hand and William did. The therapist said now follow me every step of the way, the therapist was walking backwards. It was getting darker and William couldn't really see, and the therapist said now wrap your arms around my neck and your legs around my waist. William did as he was told, then he felt himself getting wet, he was shoulder deep in the lake. The therapist said let it out William. I know you are scared let it out here, no one will ever know except us. The therapist said just think after tonight you and the lakes can be friends again, you can swim again and be a normal boy again without this fear holding onto your life.

The next morning William went swimming by himself with the therapist talking to him in the lake. William still needed the therapist but his confidence was growing. The therapist asked William exactly why he was afraid and he told him reliving his trauma all over again and crying. William try to leave the lake but the therapist said this is where it gets to be the hardest part for you William. Swim to me and he did. Then he moved and had him swim again, then again all in the efforts to bring back Williams confidence.

That Saturday, when William went home, he had the biggest smile from summer camp ever. His mother was shocked to see his swimming trunks were soaked.