The ability to dive, jump or even walk into a pool is
so often taken for granted. Up until nearly four months
ago, this simple task presented a problem for disabled
children, students and adults who used the pools at Eastern
Michigan University's Student Recreation Intramural Complex
(Rec/IM).
With the help of generous donations, the Rec/IM installed
a pool lift for each of the two pools. The device provides
handicapped users with total independence. The donation
was celebrated with a demonstration event and luncheon
at Jones Pool June 9.
 |
A HELPFUL LIFT: Sean Miller, an Ann Arbor
resident
who uses the Rec/IM, is lowered into the
facility's
community pool with the help of a pool
lift. The lift
allows disabled children, students
and adults to
access, unaided, the community pool
and Jones Pool.
The lifts were donated by EMU alumnus
George
Petredean and the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor. Photo
by
Michelle Owens |
"It used to take a lot of staff to accommodate the adults
in wheelchairs," said special needs teaching assistant
Ron Young. "It gives them [users] freedom, while saving
our backs at the same time."
The implementation of the lifts was five years in the
making. The desire was always present, but much research
was needed, said Young. A lot of time was spent looking
at other pools in the area and locating a funding source.
Before the lifts were available, Sean Miller, an Ann Arbor
resident who uses the facility, would lay on a wrestling
mat and wait to be literally rolled into the pool by his
teachers. Now, he is lifted onto the chair, with the help
of his teachers, and the seat adjusts and rotates 270 degrees.
He is then able, with the use of a remote control, to lower
himself into the water.
After Miller was shown how to use the lift, he appreciated
not being thrown into the water anymore.
"I just need help getting onto the chair, but it's so
much better being able to get in myself," he said.
"There are a number of individuals who came to use our
facilities but gave up, in many cases, because they couldn't
get in (the pool)," said Robert England, director of the
Rec/IM. "Now, handicapped students can work out or swim
like everyone else. This isn't something that we are going
to have lines to use, but it is very important for the
usage we will have."
Donations were made by George Petredean, a 1943 EMU graduate
from Homer, and the Kiwanis Club of Ann Arbor. Wright and
Fillips, a rehabilitative health care company, also contributed
by selecting the most useful lifts and delivering them
to the Rec/IM, at no charge. Each lift sits on wheels so
it can be moved from one side of the pool to another.
Petredean is pleased to see his gift being used for a
good cause. Based on lifts he has seen in the past at various
pools, Petredean is happy with EMU's choice.
"Lifts can be very cumbersome and awkward, and then they
aren't utilized. This one is more practical for its purpose
and is really going to help people," Petredean said.
