My Y Story | Ocean County YMCA
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My Y Story

Your Y Story Is Our Story!

The Y is more than a fitness center. More than a pool. More than a meeting space. We are a supportive family inspiring people of all ages and abilities to live healthier in mind, body and spirit.

My name is Vito Cicero and this is my Y Story.

Yesterday, Today, Tomorrow

It seems like just yesterday, but YMCA’S have been a part of my life for over 50 years. My membership began in Easton, Pennsylvania at the age of 8 in the early ’60s. I remember many years of swim team; vivid images of my parents shuttling us to and from swim practice, swim meets, bus trips to away meets, movie sleepovers and tons of fun and activities. My membership lasted for many years through high school graduation.

I have several memories of open swims in the Ocean County YMCA six-lane pool with my wife and sons in the late ’80s and early 90’s where the boys learned to swim well and looked forward to our YMCA visits and still have our old VHS tapes of fun times in the pool.

I remember many nights of rushing from work to the YMCA for high school swim meets where all three of my sons participated on High School North teams in the early 2000s. I also participated in the masters swimming program and swam three meets. Swimming has always been part of my life.

Over time, I noticed specific symptoms and was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I learned that exercise was essential in keeping my flexibility, strength, and fight, with the progression of this disease. Over the years, my 1000-yard swims were challenging and slowly the yards were reduced and I started to mix walking in the pool too.

Today, I continue to fight my MS through workouts at the Ocean County YMCA. The staff is friendly and courteous. They help me enter/exit the pool with the hydraulic chair as well as keep an eye on me while walking and swimming short distances. I also use bands and lightweights through workouts set up by the trainers.

Tomorrow, I will continue with swimming and light workouts as long as can and I know the Ocean County YMCA will be there to support me the best as they can.

Tell Us Your Y Story @ MyYStory@ocymca.org

Please take a moment and share with us your Y story. Share experiences and the benefit that class has had on your spirit, mind and body.

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