It totally brightens my day to be able to promote a free program that provides a much needed service for people with disabilities in our community. So I was delighted to hear that the S.W.I.M. (Specialized Water Interest Movement) program at the Joseph Von Savage Pool in Wildwood Crest has openings for new participants.
The mission of S.W.I.M. Inc. is to provide a safe and supportive environment for adults with decreased mobility due to muscular impairment to participate in aquatic exercise, within a social gathering of caring and respect. The Wildwood Crest group meets each Thursday from 9:30 to noon except during the summer tourist season.
S.W.I.M Inc. is a non-profit organization that began in an indoor pool attached to the home of founder Doris Hollingsworth in Bedminster, N. J., in 1975. Mrs. Hollingsworth, a registered nurse, realized how beneficial water therapy was for her own arthritic condition and generously offered to extend that benefit to others in her community.
She initially invited five people with MS and 10 volunteers to use her pool regularly with no cost or obligation. Over five years the original group expanded to 75 and the program became incorporated. S.W.I.M. now has programs in 14 locations extending from Sussex to Cape May counties.
Throughout its history, S.W.I.M. has supported itself with an annual fund raiser and donations from individuals, corporations, and organizations. The program receives no government funding. It continues its mission as its founder wished it would — freely, generously and graciously.
The Wildwood Crest program benefits from the donation of pool and meeting space by the Von Savage Pool and from the efforts of its dedicated volunteers. Membership at the pool is not required and there is no admission fee charged for the Thursday S.W.I.M sessions.
Responsibility for the Cape May County S.W.I.M. program was taken on by Jean Kammer more than 26 years ago. Jean continues to energize and guide the program today, along with her daughters Paula Carroll and Linda and son-in-law Joe Jackson. They rely on and are ably assisted by many one-on-one volunteers.
In recognition of its important service to our community, this Cape May chapter of S.W.I.M. was awarded the 2012 Cape May County Outstanding Service Recognition Award at the fourth annual Community Disabilities Awareness Day event in Avalon this past November.
If you are interested in joining the Wildwood Crest program as a participant, you should come first to observe a Thursday session. The water exercise part of the program runs from 10 to 11 a.m. followed by a social hour that includes lunch. Before actively participating, there is paperwork that must be completed, including a letter from a doctor recommending aquatic exercise for your particular physical condition. For more information on any aspect of the program, you should contact Linda or Joe Jackson at 884-3228.
Volunteers are an integral part of the S.W.I.M. program and new volunteers are always welcome.
These volunteers may assist in the water, but also by helping swimmers get to and from the pool, by serving refreshments during the social part of the session, or by keeping in touch with participants by phone. If you are interested in joining the Wildwood Crest program as a volunteer, you may sign up through the RSVP Program located within the Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services (609-886-2784).
You can also help to support this wonderful “Jersey grown” initiative by becoming an individual or corporate donor. Donations to S.W.I.M Inc. are tax deductible and help this organization to provide a free aquatic program for many people in our community who suffer the effects from Parkinson’s, MS, Stroke, Post-Polio and other muscular impairments. For more information about how you can offer this type of support, visit the website at http://swim-inc.org.
DID YOU KNOW?
• The Department of Justice’s extension of the deadline for making public swimming pools, pools in hotels, motels, health clubs and recreation centers accessible to people with disabilities ended on Jan. 31, 2013. The new regulations, designed to bring pools and spas into compliance with the ADA, were originally scheduled to go into effect in March 2012.
• PerformCare is now accepting applications for financial support toward summer camp tuition for children 20 years and younger deemed eligible for developmental disability services through the Department of Children and Families (DCF) Children’s System of Care (CSOC). Application period is from March 15th through April 30th. For more information visit PerformCare’s website or call PerformCare at 877-652-7624
• Registration is now open for the National Sibling Leadership Network Conference to be held on June 6, 2013 in Pittsburgh. The cost to register is $75. For more information, refer to the Sibling Leadership Network website at http://siblingleadership.org
• The Annual Sweetheart’s Ball for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities will be held at the Wildwood Convention Center on April 19th from 5:30 to 9 pm. The cost is $10 per person for both the participant and the family member or staff who accompanies. Deadline to RSVP and for payment is April 12th. No reservations will be accepted after that date. RSVP to Rose at 609-827-9312.
Pierson writes from the Cape May County Department of Aging and Disability Services
