Signal Tribune Newspaper

BY NICK DIAMANTIDES
Staff Writer

Not enough people realize that North Long Beach has one of the only facilities in Southern California where people with physical limitations can get low-cost, warm-water aqua-therapy. The nonprofit group that operates it is California Pools of Hope. Last Saturday, the organization conducted its second Aqua Walk fundraiser to help defray the $25,000 per month costs of serving hundreds of physically challenged people in the region.
“The Pool Walk for Health and Hope marks our 45th year of providing aquatic exercise and therapy to the community,” said Pat Dixon, the organization’s executive director. “We had over 100 participants. Some walked around the pool and others swam.”
Adults paid a $10 registration fee to participate in the event and children walked for free. Many of the participants had sponsors who agreed to donate certain amounts. The “aqua walk” consisted of a walk or swim around the inside perimeter of the pool, which has no deep end.
Frank Buono, who owns and operates Buono’s Pizza, is the chairman of the board of directors of California Pools of Hope. “This organization is one-of-a-kind,” he said. “It’s probably the only warm-water therapy pool in Southern California.” He explained that the pool is kept at 92-94 degrees Fahrenheit, which is the perfect therapeutic temperature for those suffering with rheumatoid arthritis, spina bifida, cerebral palsy, autism spinal cord injuries, the effects of a stroke or other mobility issues.
The buoyancy and warm temperature gives pool users a much broader range of motion and allows them to exercise muscles that they could not exercise on dry ground. Many medical professionals recommend aqua-therapy because it is the ideal low-impact exercise venue and the water’s viscosity provides just enough resistance to strengthen muscles and joints without straining them.
The pool also offers affordable aqua-exercise classes to people who are not disabled, and weight loss and obesity prevention sessions, as well as swim lessons and fun pool activities for children. The facility’s clients range in age from 6 months to more than 100 years old.
“We are the only pool in North Long Beach, and for many years we have opened it up to children in the community,” Dixon noted. “We have expanded our programs in the past few years. We hope to one day expand to a larger, state-of-the-art facility, which is what we feel the elderly and people with disabilities deserve.”
Val Lerch, 9th District Long Beach City Councilman, served as master of ceremonies for Saturday’s fundraiser, which included free health screenings, prizes, music, food beverages and lots of fun activities. “This pool is a jewel and a bright, positive place in North Long Beach area,” Lerch said. “If you sit and watch what happens here you see amazing things. You can see people who are wheelchair-bound being wheeled into the water and some of them can actually get up and move their legs in the water.”
Lerch invited all Long Beach residents to visit the pool. “If you have a chance, come and see it for yourself,” he said. “If you have some money, please donate because this is a nonprofit group that does a lot of good for the people of this area.”
Terolyn Phinsee, member of Youth Action for Christ Ministry, located next door to the pool agreed. “We support the pool because they’re always supporting us,” she said. “I came to bring a donation from our group to let them know we appreciate what they do in the community and the way they reach out to everyone, including children and adults in the inner city.”
Dixon told a story of a man who suffered a stroke and was expected to die within a few months. “When he first came he could only walk slowly across the pool,” she said. “Today, he was dancing in the water with his wife. That’s what makes California Pools of Hope such a great gift to the community. You see miracles like that all the time.”
Pools of Hope clients pay a $65-per-year membership fee and $2 every time they use the pool. “Most of out clients come here twice a week and we have 300 to 350 people using the pool on any given week,” Dixon said. “It’s the donations we receive that enable us to provide these services at such unbelievably low rates.” She added that, for various reasons, about half of the pool’s clients are exempt from paying any fees at all.
The facility has an Olympic-size pool and a smaller pool for clients that need special attention. Lifeguards are on duty whenever people are using the pool and exercise assistants are available to those who need them. The facility is also available for rent for private celebrations and parties.
About $20,000 was raised at Saturday’s event, but Dixon stressed that would only pay for a fraction of the facility’s annual expenses. “We really need more individuals and businesses to support what we do,” she said. “Donations keep the warm waters of hope flowing.”
Pools of Hope is located at 6801 Long Beach Boulevard. For more information visit http://www.californiapoolsofhope.org or phone (310) 537-2224.