March could also be Developmental Disabilities Consciousness Month, however in 2025, the Nationwide Affiliation of Councils on Developmental Disabilities (NACDD) highlighted a theme that stretches far past the calendar: “We’re Right here All 12 months.”
This message facilities on one thing essential. Visibility, accessibility, and significant alternatives for people with disabilities ought to by no means be seasonal. For a lot of households, entry to supportive environments isn’t merely helpful. It’s life altering.
That is very true for one Arizona teen: Lucy Cook dinner.
Born at simply 23 weeks, Lucy lives with cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and imaginative and prescient challenges. However anybody who meets her rapidly learns that these elements of her story don’t outline her. What stands out is her heat, humor, willpower, and eagerness to strive new issues, even issues that when felt intimidating.
In late 2023, after seeing movies on-line, Lucy requested her mom if she might tour their native Aqua-Tots Swim Faculty.
“I considered it as a result of I used to be wanting on Fb and I noticed a few of Aqua-Tots’ movies,” Lucy mentioned. “I believed it might be enjoyable to start out swimming right here as a result of the coaches regarded very nice and pleasant.”
Stephanie, Lucy’s mom, remembers that tour vividly.
“Gavin, the faculty proprietor, simply occurred to be there that day, and he was so superior, so pleasant, so educated, so type,” she mentioned. “Sure folks simply appear to be intuitive about the best way to work together with Lucy, and it was such a superb expertise. I had no intention of signing her up that day, however we left, signed up, and scheduled to start out swim that Saturday.”
Gaining Energy Via Adaptive Swim Classes
What started as a weekend exercise rapidly grew to become one thing a lot greater for Lucy. It grew to become a spot to develop, strengthen her physique, and really feel genuinely supported.
Discovering an accessible type of train has been a problem up to now, however the mixture of a heat pool, adaptive swim classes, and the correct coach has made all of the distinction. Lucy was initially hesitant about having a male swim teacher. She actually wished a “princess” instructor. However Coach Cory modified the whole lot.
“From the primary second that we met Cory, he has simply been phenomenal,” Stephanie mentioned. “So caring, so affected person and enjoyable, and she or he completely adores him. My largest apprehension was simply ensuring that whoever was working along with her was snug as a result of it’s a distinctive state of affairs. However he didn’t miss a beat. He has been actually improbable.
With every lesson, Lucy has gained extra freedom of motion and has constructed energy that helps her every day life. What would possibly appear to be small steps to others, comparable to floating, kicking, or rolling from abdomen to again, are significant milestones for her. Every ability she masters reinforces security and confidence.
Why Tales Like Lucy’s Matter
When Stephanie watches Lucy float independently, roll confidently, or cheerfully greet her coach, she isn’t just seeing swim expertise. She is seeing empowerment, development, and pleasure.
Lucy seems to be ahead to her classes every week, to the chums who greet her when she arrives, and to the milestones she retains reaching. Her journey brings the NACDD’s theme to life. Significant inclusion occurs within the on a regular basis areas the place youngsters study, develop, and join with others. For Lucy, Aqua-Tots has turn out to be that place. It’s a heat and supportive atmosphere the place she feels succesful, assured, and celebrated.
Lucy’s story reinforces a strong reality: There’s a place for each baby within the water. And there’s a place for each household at Aqua-Tots.
Aqua-Tots: A Place to Develop and Belong
As Lucy places it, “My instructor has helped me really feel extra assured and comfy, and I really feel like I’m undertaking loads, as a result of he helps me to not be petrified of the talents.”
Her mother sees the distinction, too. Swim classes have strengthened Lucy’s bodily talents, whereas boosting her happiness, pleasure for weekends, and general sense of belonging.
“Every time I stroll within the door on Saturdays, the workers are all the time greeting me, making me really feel welcome, and making me really feel like I belong.” – Lucy Cook dinner
One in all her favourite issues is wanting again. Lucy typically watches movies from her earlier classes or observes different courses, reflecting on how far she has come and the way rather more she is able to tackle.
Water Security Is Important for Youngsters of All Skills
Lucy’s progress paints a heartwarming image. Her story additionally displays one thing greater: water security is a common want, and accessibility issues.
In 2023, practically 73 million youngsters and youths lived in america, virtually one-fifth of the inhabitants. However regardless of how typically households have interaction in water actions, a Purple Cross survey revealed a troubling hole:
94% of oldsters anticipate their youngsters to be round water.
61% say their children can not carry out the 5 fundamental water security expertise that might save their lives.
This danger is particularly important for the extra than three million youngsters below 18 who reside with a incapacity, based on the U.S. Census Bureau.
For a lot of households, these statistics mirror actual challenges. Accessible, individualized instruction could be laborious to search out, and youngsters with disabilities typically face restricted leisure alternatives.
Lucy’s success is greater than a private achievement. It’s a reminder of what turns into doable when a toddler has a secure, welcoming, and adaptive place to study.
Aqua-Tots: There’s A Place for Everybody Right here
Lucy’s journey is a strong reminder that progress seems to be totally different for each baby, however confidence, security, and belonging ought to by no means be out of attain. Her development within the water displays what’s doable when classes are adaptive, instructors are compassionate, and youngsters are actually seen for who they’re.
Know a father or mother on the lookout for swim classes for kids with disabilities? Aqua-Tots is right here to assist! We consider there’s a place for everybody at Aqua-Tots, and thru our S.N.A.P.® swim lesson program, our inclusive swim colleges thoughtfully adapt classes for our eight ranges to assist every baby’s distinctive wants. We have helped create success within the pool for a lot of youngsters throughout a wide range of totally different disabilities, together with autism, ADHD, nervousness, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, imaginative and prescient points, issue strolling, and extra.
If you’re on the lookout for a swim faculty that prioritizes water security, confidence, and inclusion, attain out to your native Aqua-Tots Swim Faculty or contact us to study extra concerning the lodging provided. We look ahead to serving to your baby learn to turn out to be secure and assured within the water!
