Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and his conquering of it What larger - English - Deep Water

Question

Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of
terror and his conquering of it? What larger meaning does he draw
from his experience?

Nishtha Kapil · Accepted Answer

Douglas recounts his childhood experience at the Y M C A pool to
enable the readers to understand the exact nature and intensity of
the terror The fear of being surrounded by the water, the fear of
putting his head in the water, the fear of choking and the fear of
his limbs going numb couldnâ€™t have been
explained to a reader unacquainted with
Douglasâ€™ childhood experience In that case, the
elaborate strategy adopted by the author (and his instructor) and
the time-taken by him to learn or master even simple things, though
put in the perspective of his fear of water,
couldnâ€™t have been understood properly
By quoting Roosevelt, â€œAll we have to fear is
fear itself,â€ Douglas indicates the larger meaning
that he draws from his experience For him, the importance of life
became evident when he encountered death or rather its proximity
threatening his life

Why does Douglas as an adult recount a childhood experience of terror and his conquering of it? What larger meaning does he draw from his experience?