Kids with disabilities 'let go of their fears' in Middleboro Y-Ability swim class
MIDDLEBORO — When 6-year-old Maggie Mendonca first started taking swim lessons at the Old Colony YMCA's Middleboro branch, she clung to her mom and trainer and was afraid of the pool.
But after six months of lessons, Maggie jumps in the pool with pure excitement and love for the water sport.
Y-Ability is the program that made it possible for Maggie to gain confidence in swimming and in her everyday life, her mother Ashley Mendonca of East Bridgewater said.
"Maggie has two rare types of seizure disorders, partial paralysis on the right side of her body which causes physical delays with her right arms and legs, and vision issues. Then, when she was 15 months old, she had a stroke,” Ashley said.
Ashley said the swim class has helped Maggie become more independent, as the trainer helps build her confidence. Maggie is also getting some occupational therapy and physical therapy time while in the pool.
"The swim classes are giving her confidence to speak more in life. She loves when I take pictures of her in the pool and send it over to her teacher so Maggie can share with the class,” Ashley said
For the last six months, the East Bridgewater family has taken the small drive to Middleboro for a weekly 30-minute swim lesson offered by the Old Colony YMCA as part of it Y-Ability program.
Y-Ability is an ongoing effort to have a fully inclusive YMCA that allows children with intellectual or physical disabilities to have a safe space to socialize and meet their wellness needs, Aquatics Director Morgan Pritchard said.
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That includes the free swim and water safety classes for kids on the spectrum and with other disabilities that meets weekly at the Middleboro branch on Grove Street.
“It’s great to see the growth of the kids over the duration of the classes," Pritchard said.
"When the first class meets, most of the kids that come in are afraid to leave the wall or latching onto their instructors, but after a few weeks in, they’re excited to see their teacher and jump in the water,” Pritchard said.
“That’s the best part of being a director is seeing the kids let go of their fears and the things that hold them back and get to experience something they love with someone that they love,“ Pritchard said.
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The program aims to provide basic swim lessons and alleviate the fear parents have surrounding their child near the water.
“Based on the staggering drowning statistic with autism, we want everyone to feel safe around the water in an inclusive environment. At the Y, we can solve inactivity issues with people with disabilities, especially with COVID and the loss of everyday interaction,” Vice President of Program Development Serah Selmon said.
“One in 5 people in our nation have a disability of some kind. So in 2017, we piloted this program to fill a need in the community,” Selmon said.
Each session is 30 to 45 minutes. The first few classes get the kids comfortable in the water while learning water safety and the principles of the pool. Each session is small and intimate, with just four to six kids.
“We want everyone to feel safe and like they belong. It’s more effective when you come in and see a friend and work out with them. It creates a safe environment for the kids,” Selmon said.
To sign your child up, contact the Middleboro YMCA at 508-947-1390. Hours of operation are Monday through Friday, 5 a.m. to 9 p.m. and weekends 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Enterprise staff reporter Alisha Saint-Ciel can be reached by email at stciela@gannett.com You can follow her on Twitter at @alishaspeakss. Support local journalism by purchasing a digital or print subscription to The Enterprise today.
This article originally appeared on The Enterprise: Middleboro YMCA: Kids with disabilities take Y-Ability swim class
