A Day of Hope and Miracles at SPINALpedia
What’s your why?
Sometimes, life gives you a moment that reminds you exactly why you do what you do. For us, that moment was the weekend we spent in Virginia, volunteering at the SPINALpedia event.
It’s events like these that fuel our passion for helping people of every ability get in the water and enjoy its freedom. Sharing the experience with our core team—the leaders in our business who make these miracles happen every single day—made it all the more special.
Our Why in Action
Recently, our leadership team gathered for an offsite strategic planning and development session. But it was the project we took on next that truly put our mission into action.
Together with our leaders, who steer our aquatics and operations every day, we joined forces at the annual SPINALpedia event in Virginia Beach to offer our support and expertise by volunteering to help 20 individuals with spinal cord injuries experience the joy of swimming.
We weren’t just giving free swim lessons; we were preparing them for the next day’s Life Rolls On surfing event, empowering them with the confidence and freedom they needed to reclaim the water. Mother Nature, however, had other plans. The waves proved too rough to surf, and the surfing event was cancelled.
This unexpected turn meant our swim lessons—initially a small part of the weekend—became the main event. We had the privilege of working with a diverse group of individuals, ranging from 10 to 65 years old, with injuries both recent and years in the past. We sprang into action, putting our heads together, problem-solving in the moment and diving in to give each person the focused attention they needed.
Their Inspirational Stories
What we saw that day went far beyond the lessons themselves. Each moment was a powerful story of discovering new independence and new possibilities.
A young woman, a triple amputee who had never learned to swim before her injury, worked with our Aquatic Manager, Dave (Swim Whisperers® Level 4 Certified). After just one lesson, she was not only swimming independently underwater but was also safely rolling to breathe. Seeing her face light up with pride and amazement, was a moment to treasure.
For another woman, who lived in constant pain from a high thoracic spinal cord injury, severe arthritis and excruciating neck pain, her lesson with Ailene was a miracle. The goal was to just float, and as Ailene taught her a modified backstroke with supportive equipment, the pain melted away. By the end of the lesson she was not only pain free but couldn’t believe she was floating on her back so independently.
Her smile said it all and she expressed feeling so free for the first time in a long while. The joy in the water was infectious. Cindy helped a gentleman who sustained a spinal cord injury after falling from a tree, find a new way to have fun with his four daughters. With expert guidance and modifications, this beautiful family was able to race and go underwater together, sharing an experience like never before.
Our Operations Manager, Kristin tag teamed with Ailene, as she worked with a young dad, figuring out ways to help him enjoy the water again as he was only 1 year post injury. It was heartwarming to see his two boys swimming proudly by his side.
Perhaps the most powerful moment of all was Ailene’s surprise when she saw Jeneice. The two had bonded at last year’s event, and Jeneice’s inspiring experience drove Swim Angelfish to help even more people feel comfortable swimming again at this year’s event. Jeneice approached the water with a newfound confidence, trust, and ease—a powerful testament to the lasting impact of the work Swim Angelfish does.
“I don’t even have the words to fully describe what it felt like to witness all of this. What I do know is how grateful I am to be part of such an amazing community, surrounded by incredible people who share the same mission and goal. You are all truly heroes.”
Swimming Breathes Hope
Josh Basile who runs this incredible organization told us that what we did today was not only about teaching these individuals swim skills and getting them comfortable in the water, but most importantly we gave them hope! Hope of what is possible.
“All weekend, I had families coming up to me saying things like, “I never thought I’d be able to go swimming again after my spinal cord injury, but now I know I can.” Those moments of joy, confidence, and possibility are exactly why we do this — and your team made them possible. You gave nearly 20 swim lessons, but what you really gave was hope, independence, and a reminder that life after injury can still be filled with fun and freedom. I can’t thank you enough for volunteering your time, traveling as a team, and giving each person your patience, encouragement, and belief.”
United by Purpose
We have no words to explain what that felt like to our team, but after the event we couldn’t even speak about it. It was one of the moments where you just need time to process the miracles you witnessed and were a part of, and reflect on why we do what we do.
This event made our purpose very clear and united us as a team on a very deep level. We are so grateful for this incredible experience.
