An adaptive swim program for kids with special needs holds an inclusive swim competition in Ralston on Saturday. It is an opportunity for families to give their children experiences others might take for granted. For kids with disabilities, one splash in the pool could be the first jump into a more independent life. “We found that it really helps their psyche as well as their motor planning, their confidence and just their overall happiness and well-being,” said Megan Didulo, the founder of All-Inclusive Aquatics LLC.Didulo is an occupational therapist who founded All-Inclusive Aquatics because she has seen the value of swimming all her life. But it was one little girl who inspired her to take the plunge and start this all. “My daughter Elizabeth has diagnosis called Mosaic trisomy 9. That means that she has three of the ninth chromosome in some, but not all cells in her body,” said Meghan Hope. Elizabeth is non-verbal and hard of hearing. Her muscles are not that strong. When Didulo became Elizabeth’s nanny, she was determined to get her swimming. “We started with five minutes sessions in her backyard swimming pool and now she’s up to tolerating 30 minutes for a swimming lesson,” said Didulo. “Now she’s an absolute fish. She loves it. We’ve spent all summer in the water and she can move around in the pool by holding on to the edge,” said Hope. In a grand show of progress, Elizabeth is actually competing in an adaptive swim meet here with 16 other kids. With a helping hand from some other swimmers, she has made it to the finish line. And for the families here, it is a sigh they will never take for granted. “I am super proud of her and how far she’s come and super proud of Megan for putting this opportunity together so that we have something to give our daughter so that she can participate in,” said Hope. All the money raised from this event will go towards a scholarship fund for the swimmers in the program.
An adaptive swim program for kids with special needs holds an inclusive swim competition in Ralston on Saturday.
It is an opportunity for families to give their children experiences others might take for granted.
For kids with disabilities, one splash in the pool could be the first jump into a more independent life.
“We found that it really helps their psyche as well as their motor planning, their confidence and just their overall happiness and well-being,” said Megan Didulo, the founder of All-Inclusive Aquatics LLC.
Didulo is an occupational therapist who founded All-Inclusive Aquatics because she has seen the value of swimming all her life. But it was one little girl who inspired her to take the plunge and start this all.
“My daughter Elizabeth has diagnosis called Mosaic trisomy 9. That means that she has three of the ninth chromosome in some, but not all cells in her body,” said Meghan Hope.
Elizabeth is non-verbal and hard of hearing. Her muscles are not that strong. When Didulo became Elizabeth’s nanny, she was determined to get her swimming.
“We started with five minutes sessions in her backyard swimming pool and now she’s up to tolerating 30 minutes for a swimming lesson,” said Didulo.
“Now she’s an absolute fish. She loves it. We’ve spent all summer in the water and she can move around in the pool by holding on to the edge,” said Hope.
In a grand show of progress, Elizabeth is actually competing in an adaptive swim meet here with 16 other kids. With a helping hand from some other swimmers, she has made it to the finish line.
And for the families here, it is a sigh they will never take for granted.
“I am super proud of her and how far she’s come and super proud of Megan for putting this opportunity together so that we have something to give our daughter so that she can participate in,” said Hope.
All the money raised from this event will go towards a scholarship fund for the swimmers in the program.
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