Читать книгу Case Studies in Abnormal Child and Adolescent Psychology - Robert Weis - Страница 17

Diana was born to swim. Her mother was an Olympic athlete whose relay medley team won the bronze medal in Atlanta. Today, Diana’s mother is the head swim coach at a Division II college in Diana’s hometown. Although Diana’s father was not a swimmer, he was a Division I baseball player who currently works as a personal trainer. Diana also has two older sisters who earned college scholarships for swimming and diving, respectively.

Diana was a healthy baby who enjoyed all of the benefits of a health-conscious family. Her father, who studied nutrition in college, was extremely conscientious about his family’s eating habits. Diana and her sisters ate a largely vegetarian diet and received excellent medical care. Her mother decorated Diana’s room in an aquatic theme: blue walls, fish-patterned bedsheets, an octopus pillow, and a dolphin nightlight.

Diana began taking swim lessons at the age of 18 months. She was more agile in the pool than on land. Her mother would swim with her and her sisters several times per week. Diana also attended her older sisters’ swim lessons and, later in her childhood, she would also attend their swim meets.

Diana began to swim competitively at the age of 5 for a summer aquatic league. By the time she was 7, she was swimming year-round for a 10-and-under recreational team at the YMCA and winning many of her events. One of the coaches recognized her raw talent and invited her to join his travel team that practiced at the local college. Diana joined the team several months later, practiced 5 days per week, and received individual lessons from the head coach.

Diana swam on the varsity team during her freshman year of high school. She excelled in all events, especially the butterfly. Diana bonded with other girls on the team and had success in the pool and in the classroom.

Now 17-year-old Diana is beginning her final year as a high school swimmer. A shoulder injury sustained in a car accident earlier in the year slowed down her stroke and probably eliminated her chances of a Division I scholarship. However, Diana has visited several Division III schools with excellent swimming programs that would provide her with a good education and an opportunity to swim competitively for 4 more years. “Swimming’s not the only thing important in my life, but it’s a major part of it,” Diana said. “I can’t imagine giving it up just yet.”