All-Inclusive Water Safety Event with Wilton YMCA & Equip Rehabilitation

Swim Angelfish in partnership with the Wilton YMCA, Equip Rehabilitation from Quinnipiac University and the Stewie The Duck Swim School all joined forces to make our second All Inclusive Water Safety Event a memorable one.

Six Months of Dedicated Planning

The journey to this special day began about six months ago. Linda Bedard, who runs the Equip Rehabilitation Program for PT students at Quinnipiac, and Ailene Tisser, PT and Co-Owner of Swim Angelfish, spearheaded the planning. They met with Quinnipiac students, brainstorming innovative ways to bring our adaptive water safety toolkit resource to life.

The students enthusiastically developed engaging games, a coloring book, and take-home giveaways. These resources were designed to support and reinforce the essential water safety activities that Swim Angelfish prioritizes for individuals with autism and other special needs.

To ensure everyone was prepared, the students even attended an in-person practice session with Ailene. During this session, they learned the adaptive water safety techniques we use in the water and understood the 'why' behind their effectiveness, allowing them to provide the best possible support to all participants on the day.

A Community United for Safety

Our event wouldn't have been possible without incredible community collaboration.

Heidi Papdakos, the Aquatic Director at Stewie the Duck Swim School took our Adaptive Swim Whisperers online certification course prior to the event and brought some of their swim school instructors to volunteer at the event. Stew Leonard's generously donated snacks, which were enjoyed by all.

Liam Colleran, the Aquatic Director, and Samantha Lusher, COO of the Wilton YMCA, were instrumental in organizing and donating the perfect space for the event and managing the sign-up process. Their outdoor pool, followed by waterfront pond and beach access, provided an ideal setting for all our activities and help swimmers generalize what they learned to different settings.

Making a Splash with Essential Skills

At the event, participants practiced crucial water safety skills based on our adaptive water safety toolkit. This included wearing and swimming with life jackets, holding and swimming with rescue tubes, and practicing safe entry and exit techniques. All swimmers practiced three simple steps of asking permission prior to entering the water, doing a meaningful motor routine, followed by asking permission again prior to getting in the water. The more advanced group of swimmers worked on a routine where first they would ask before entering, and once they got permission, they would jump into the pool and immediately take the side, move along the wall, and safely climb out.

With such a dedicated team of volunteers and staff, every child received individual supervision and guidance, ensuring activities were tailored to their specific swim level.

The highlight for many was seeing our efforts in action on Channel 12 News. They truly captured the pivotal, miracle moments unfolding throughout the day. One particularly moving instance involved a child who initially wouldn't get in the water or even put on a life jacket, and was happily kicking around the pool by the end of the session both with his instructor and Mom. .

Watch to see how, once we provided the sensory input this swimmer needed and used our grounding techniques, he gained the confidence and security to enjoy swimming with assistance, bringing his mom to tears with joy.

Beachfront Fun

The second half of the event moved to the beach, where we continued safety routines through engaging games. This transition from swimming in the pool, was crucial, as it allowed participants to practice and reinforce vital water safety skills in a different, real-world environment, a lake with beach access! Understanding how to apply these skills across various settings, from pools to open water like lakes and beaches, is key to comprehensive water safety. We also enjoyed crafts, shared snacks, and fostered confidence and new friendships among all attendees. Ending the day on the inflatables in the pond was a blast, not just for the children and their families, but for the volunteers too!

Host Your Own Adaptive Water Safety Event

We want to help more communities run similar events in the future. The impact we made was immense, and our hearts are truly full! If you're inspired to host your own Adaptive Water Safety Event and make a significant impact in your community, reach out to us. We're here to help set you up for success and bring these life-changing experiences to more children and families.

Ailene Tisser, MA, PT, Founder

Ailene Tisser, a pediatric Physical Therapist with over 30 years of experience and co-founder of Swim Angelfish® and the Swim Whisperers® method, specializes in aquatic therapy and adaptive swim for children with special needs. Trained in NDT, DIR/Floortime, and certified as an Autism Specialist and Primitive Reflex Specialist she fosters water safety, confidence, and independence in her young clients. Ailene is also passionate about educating aquatic professionals, setting a standard of excellence for adaptive aquatics training and professional development.

Cindy Freedman, MOTR, Founder

Cindy, MS, OTR/L is an occupational and recreational therapist with over 30 years of experience specializing in pediatrics and aquatics. Driven by a passion for helping children with special needs reach their full potential, Cindy co-founded Swim Angelfish, an organization dedicated to providing adaptive swim and aquatic therapy services as well as professional training. Her expertise in sensory integration, reflex repatterning, and aquatics, coupled with her love for water and experience as a national champion diver, has enabled her to make a profound impact on the lives of countless children. Cindy is certified as an Autism Specialist by IBCCES, and shows an unwavering commitment to improving the lives of children with special needs.