Blind swimmer Kristy Greener competed in her first Midmar Mile this month. Greener also has idiopathic sensory-motor polyneuropathy – an illness affecting her hands and feet, but nothing could stop her from competing and getting her medal.
Greener, who works at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), said her condition causes the motor nerves of the peripheral nervous system to malfunction, with no obvious underlying cause found by medical doctors.
“Despite it all, it was awesome to complete in the Midmar Mile. But I must say it was a tough swim,” said Greener. “It was a delight to compete in the 51st edition of the world’s largest open-water swimming event. I finished in one hour and 14 minutes at Midmar Dam near Howick.”
Greener was able to swim by the age of four, falling in love with the sport because it exercised her whole body – and she didn’t have to fear tripping or falling. There was also no heavy lifting involved which improved her lung capacity, preventing complications from other conditions she is susceptible to, such as asthma.
Greener started training in 2019 for the Midmar Mile. She said she is grateful to her swimming partner, a teacher and sports co-ordinator at Impact Christian Academy in Yellowwood Park, Nicola Murray. Together with her coach, Marion Barnard, they trained three times a week at Make Waves KZN, a swimming club at Queensburgh’s Escombe Primary School.
“In a pool, I swim along the lane rope. In a dam, I swim next to Nicola. We’re attached with a harness and Nicola uses this to guide me. You need dedication and discipline if you want to participate in these races. You simply must put in the time – you need to build up stamina. Swimming the Midmar Mile means you’re on the go for 1.6km non-stop in the water. There’s no time to pause for a tea break.” she joked.
Greener said she typically swims 6km a week, split over three days. Swimming is her passion and she loves the water because it exercises the muscles of her body. She completed the Capital-K open water swim in 2022 and 2023 before doing the Midmar Mile this year. Next year, she plans to improve her time in the race and raise money for a mental health charity by taking on the race’s Charity Challenge.
She thanked the College of Health Sciences Student Support Services Manager, Dr Saloschini Pillay, and her team who she said are always motivating and supportive of her work as a student counsellor within the School of Health Sciences on the Westville campus.
“Aside from swimming I am also passionate about offering free and confidential counselling to students from first-year to postgraduate level on a one-on-one basis. Here we address an array of personal issues, relationships, career-related matters as well as mental health and wellness,” said Greener.
“The team is also involved in group work where we conduct psycho-educational workshops, academic skills development workshops as well as career exploration and guidance workshops.”
When she’s not working or swimming, Greener said she loves spending time with her cat, Valentine. She also enjoys the company of her friends, family and colleagues.
