Giving Back To The Community
Karen Baker assists Lindsey Muszkiewicz
LISTEN AS A PARENT SHARES how Wesley Homes is helping to improve the quality of childrens’ lives in our local community.[display_podcast]
On Thursday mornings, approximately 15 kids from the Children’s Therapy Center in Kent enjoy the swim center at Wesley Homes Lea Hill Retirement Community. In the swimming pool the children experience the type of freedom in water that they cannot achieve on land.
“Wesley Homes allows us to use their pool for free. It is a wonderful offer,” said Occupational Therapy Assistant Ruth Doane, the person who started the aquatic therapy program at Children’s Therapy Center at Kent.
Doane explained that previously the center rented a therapy pool from the Renton School District. However when the school that housed the therapy pool was torn down, the center was unable to find a replacement location for almost two years prior to Wesley Homes offering to help. “Being without a pool was really hard,” said Doane, explaining that they all realized what the kids were missing out on.
“One of the reasons we really like the pool at Wesley Homes is the hot tub being right next to the pool. Some of the kids really need that warm water,” said Doane, “You can access the hot tub from the pool. You don’t have to go to another building.”
“We’re very lucky to go to this location,” said Lisa Muszkiewicz, whose 11 year old daughter, Lindsey, is one of the children who benefit from the use of the pool. “It’s a beautiful pool and the whole property is almost breathtaking. I was blown away when I first saw the pool,” she said, “And so was Lindsey. Lindsey said, ‘this is very grand, Mom’.”
Aside from the great location, the efforts of therapists Ruth Doane, Karen Smith and Karen Baker have made tremendous strides in the abilities and therefore in the quality of life of these kids.
Trish Parker, the mother of nine-year old Preston Bradbury, says, “He’s actually able to move in water, where he’s never been able to move before. He’s got freedom in the pool. On land he doesn’t have freedom.”
“These kids are smiling the whole time, including under water,” said Muszkiewicz, “Lindsey sets her own goals in swim therapy which is much different from her doing physical therapy. It’s much harder for her out of the water. She sets goals for how many laps she’s going to do, how fast she’s going to go and she asks Karen what her time is.”
“I have fun with Karen especially doing laps around the pool,” said Lindsey, “sometimes five but right now four. I get to the end in three minutes.”
“In one month of swim therapy Lindsey has already shown much improvement in her lung capacity and her oxygen levels. Her therapist is surprised at how fast Lindsey is gaining strength and moving faster. It’s changing my daughter’s life in such a positive way,” said Muszkiewicz.
Other parents report similar results. One child, just 2 ½ years old walked for the first time after just four weeks therapy in the pool.
“Lindsey does a lot of her therapy in the Jacuzzi,” said Muszkiewicz, “She can actually walk in the Jacuzzi with her legs bent and she’s just so proud. She says ‘look Mom I’m walking’ – and that’s the only time she is able to walk is when she’s in that Jacuzzi up on her tippy toes with the help of her therapist. So that means a lot. That’s awesome for all of us to be able to see.”
“Another blessing that’s come out of the swim meets at Wesley Homes is the relationship one of the residents has formed with my son, Carter,” said Muszkiewicz, “Bill Humphries offers to help in the pool and has been helping me each week by watching my three year old son, Carter, while Lindsey swims.”
“They’ll go look at the wood shop, the gym or tour the building and pay social visits to other residents. Bill is a wonderful role model for my son. We’re lucky to go there every week where Lindsey has so much fun. And Carter looks forward each week to seeing “Grandpa Bill,” said Muszkiewicz.
– Ilene Little for Wesley Homes
April 28th, 2009 at 2:31 pm
This is a wonderful thing that the residents of Lea Hill are doing for the community! What a blessing to help these special children and I know the residents take great pride in helping them out. My hat is off to all of you!
April 28th, 2009 at 2:51 pm
The benefits to the children at CTC for the therapy they receive in the Wesley Homes swim center is immeasurable and I want to thank the residents and the management of Wesley Homes for their generosity and care.
-Steve Puryear
Board member
Childrens Therapy Center
April 28th, 2009 at 3:58 pm
What fantastic results are occuring with the children getting pool therapy! This is such a positive relationship that I pray it goes on for a long time and that many more children with such need will be cared for in this way. I am also certain that our residents at Lea Hill will get just as much if not more out of being with and seeing these young people making progress and visiting with them. Way to go, residents and management of Wesley Homes and CTC!
May 4th, 2009 at 11:55 am
This is a beautiful example of how sharing can be a win-win for everyone involved. I would love to be able to hear the children’s laughter when they use the pool!
May 4th, 2009 at 2:27 pm
I am so happy to hear of this facility for Lindsey! It sounds like a dream come true for her and I love to hear about how happy it makes her.
May 12th, 2009 at 8:55 am
As a board member of CTC, I just wanted to let everyone know how much I personally appreciate the use of the pool for the kids. It is an amazing therapy(as any of us who have done water aerobics can attest to) and only certain pools meet the criteria because of the temperature. What an opportunity,too, for the children and the residents to connect in a positive way!I’m proud to say I am a member of Kent United Methodist Church and even prouder to say that Wesley Homes is one of ours. Thanks again to all of you at Lea Hill for your generosity!