Kristen Adams: One Incredible Mom

Kristen Adams is a tall, willowy, beautiful blonde. She is one of the key members of the Swim Fit group of gals who swim every day at the Westport Weston Family Y from 9 to 10 am. These ladies (and the occasional man) are truly inspirational ... and, I admit, a bit intimidating. They are all excellent, strong and competitive swimmers who delight as much in their accomplishments in the pool as in each others' company. "Locker room chatting is one of the best parts, even on the days I don't want to swim, " says Kristen. "The locker room banter will always get me there."

Some days, getting in the water is the toughest part of the workout for Kristen. She's one of some 400,000 Americans coping with multiple sclerosis, a progressive disease of the nervous system that can affect the brain and spinal cord.

MS is not inherited or genetically transmitted, although there does seem to be some genetic susceptibility to the disease. MS tends to be more common in women than men and to occur in people between 20 and 40, but people any age can get it. It is known that the incidence of MS increases in countries further from the equator. Though MS does not significantly affect life span, the course of the disease is unpredictable and no two people will experience the same set of symptoms. However, fatigue is one of the most common symptoms of MS.

"The diagnosis of multiple sclerosis can overtake one mentally, and you must know how not to be afraid," Kristen says. "If you treat yourself like you're fragile, you become fragile ... I act as if I'm strong."

Strength is an attribute that Kristen has developed all her life. She joined the Y's Water Rat Swim Team when she was six years old, and throughout her schooling she was involved with the volunteer Youth Leadership group at the Y, helping out with such Y activities as child care, art class and swim lessons.

Kristen would take a minibus after school directly to the Y where, between volunteering and swim team practice, she wasn't home till dinner time. "I was raised by a single mother who worked full time, and this helped give structure to my home life," says Kristen.

After college, Kristen devoted herself to a high-power career as an Emmy Award-winning producer for Diane Sawyer at ABC. She exhibited the same zeal in her work as she did in the water as a young athlete – 100 percent, so for years there was little time for swimming or workouts.

Kristen left ABC with the birth of her first child in 2003, which gave her the just enough free time to start swimming again. In 2005, after the birth of her second child, she joined the Y Masters Team and was back at the Stauffer Pool, her old stomping grounds. She hadn't swum competitively for more than 20 years, and the Masters Swim Team not only allowed her to get back into pre-baby shape, it provided a terrific outlet as well.

Shortly after this, Kristen experienced a weird symptom which turned out to be a precursor to a life-altering diagnosis. "One day, I couldn't move my right hand. I was writing a grocery list and the pencil dropped right out of my hand. I couldn't grip it and I couldn't write my name." Despite other symptoms including numbness, tingling sensation and weakness in the extremities, it would take a full year for the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis.

At first, Kristen felt very vulnerable and was afraid of pushing herself too hard, knowing that heat, stress, exhaustion could trigger an exacerbation. But the Masters swim program and its close-knit community of adult swimmers, was a place she could feel safe, protected and be herself.

As her children got older, Kristen, who now lives in Fairfield, found it difficult to attend the nightly Masters practice sessions and switched to the Swim Fit group during the morning hours. "This group, for me, is the most important part of taking care of myself." There are days when Kristen can swim hard and days when "I go to lane 6 and hang out with my kickboard." But, whatever she can or cannot do, 'the girls' support her totally.

Kristen spoke to me about the health benefits she attains from swimming. Research confirms that swimming in cool water is excellent therapy for people with MS. The water is supportive for those with limited range of motion or mobility, balance issues, and it also aids in building strength and muscle mass. "The only thing that is important is that I get in the water, feel strong, and have the added benefit of being with people who care about me." It is a win-win situation.

When Kristen is not in the water, she is busy at work for her own video production company, Kristin Adams Media, and raising her sons Emmett, 11, a member of the Water Rat Swim Team, and Tommy, 9.

Recently, she combined her special work skills with her passion for swimming at the Y by creating a video about her swimming therapy. Filmed in the Y's Stauffer Pool, it's a remarkable testament to personal strength and the power of community. Visit www.whyiswim.org to see it, along with more information about aquatic exercise and MS.