TRUMAN HIGH SCHOOL POHI partners with the YMCA

The Truman High School POHI center has a partnership with the Downriver YMCA. 

Taylor School District's Special Education Assistant Director Jennifer Parrelly connected the center with Downriver YMCA Program Director Dan Marsh to try a swimming program with the students of the Truman POHI program.

POHI is an acronym that is used to describe students who have physical or other health impairments (Cerebral Palsy, Spina Bifida, Muscular Dystrophy, etc).

The Downriver Swims Program will last about eight weeks. Students have the opportunity to go in the pool two days a week with the YMCA's certified lifeguards, swim instructors and staff of the Truman POHI program.  

The program began on January 12 at Truman High School.  The students are really enjoying themselves and getting a wonderful workout. They are using muscles they don't get to use on a daily basis, since several of the students use wheelchairs for mobility.

In order to make this happen, it takes the assistance of the entire Truman POHI staff, which includes paraprofessionals, an OT, PT, nurse, teachers – even the Assistant Director Parrelly has gotten in the pool to lend a hand. 

After the first week everyone was exhausted, but agreed it was worth it to see our students out of their wheelchairs, overcoming their fear of the water, making friends with the YMCA staff and seeing the huge smiles on their faces. It has been great therapy.

Everyone in POHI is appreciative to have this wonderful opportunity and look forward to building a partnership with the Downriver YMCA.