Reubina 'Ruby' Ram may live on an island nation renowned for its beautiful beaches, but up until now the 62-year-old has lived in fear of them.

"When I was five years old, dad took us for a picnic and I saw my mother being swept away by the swift current of the river. Our house maid pulled her out. I was screaming.

That gave me the fear of water. I would never even look at the water, although I lived by the sea."

Just two years ago, Ruby would have never believed that she'd come to love being in the water. But over the past 12 months she's been dipping her toes in, quite literally, during aqua aerobics classes run in Suva. Slowly, she's been overcoming her crippling fear.

When I first came to morning tea I would just look at the pool, I wouldn't go anywhere near it, because the fear of my mother would come back.

"I saw them enjoying it and thought, why can't I enjoy it? It's all in the mind."

This story was produced by ABC International Development as part of the Pacific Sports Partnerships funded by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

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Region
Australia
Sport
Swimming
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Tags

Region
Australia
Sport
Swimming