Twins Brandon and Bryan got a treat today: They spent part of the morning in the pool. The 20-month-old boys arrived at St. Mary’s Home not too long ago for respite, or short-stay, care, and this was the first time they got to go for a dip in the comfortably heated water.
While getting in the water is a lot of fun, it’s also therapy. “We are working on their range of motion and sensory stimulation by providing them an experience they don’t typically get,” said Kathryn Simmons, recreational therapy support specialist. “The warm water in the therapy pool helps them loosen up their muscles. That way they can have a greater range of motion in their extremities.”
The pool isn’t just for the littlest children at St. Mary’s Home. Colton, 17, also had the chance to splash around today. And staff of the evening activities and recreational and physical therapy departments frequently work with other children in the pool.
UPDATE: Here’s a video from today’s pool session: