Ok all you experts, I have a question

[meeshi]

Sorry this may be long

My dd (10) has CP. The only way we can take her swimming is with an inflatable tube. She is really to big for me to hold her and this inner tube works like a charm. She loves to swim.

We are planning on going to visit my sister and her family next weekend. We are also planning on going to the community pool. This pool does not allow inflatable tubes. My sister is going to call the pool and see if we can use it because my dd has a disability and really can't go swimming without it because she is too big for me to hold. What would you all do?

 

[Joy from Illinois]

Yes, do call the pool and explain that a float is necessary. Also ask if they have special pool times set aside for the handicapped (they do at my local pool). If you really want to get militant or they give you a hard time, use the "accomodations for the handicapped" kind of catch phrases. If it is a public pool (set up by the park district, for example) they will be very willing to "make accomodations for your daughter's handicap". If the person on the phone seems to be uncooperative, politely ask to speak to the director of the pool, park district manager, or whoever can give you some "relief from these regulations to make it possible for your handicapped relative to use the pool". This should set all their antenna waving. No need to be nasty or anything, just a little bit assertive so that she can enjoy the trip also.

 

[SueM in MN]

I agree with Joy.
I had to do some of the smae thing about DD wearing shorts in the pool over her swimsuit. She had nylon swim shorts made of the same nylon material as a boy's swim suit and she really needs to wear them or parts of her show that shouldn't. When I tried to explain that, the pool person tried every reaon why she should not be able to: if they allowed her to wear the shorts, they would need to allow anyone who wanted to wear shorts; shorts were not appropriate swimwear, etc.
I finally got them to agree that the shorts were an accomidation to a disability, were made of appropriate material to be in the pool and that if a non-disabled person wanted to wear shorts, they could say that this was a disability accomidation.
in your case, I know a lot of pools have the "no flotation devices" rule because people tend to allow their children who are wearing them to go places they shouldn't (like the deep end) and it would be harder for a lifeguard to handle them with the inner tube. I think if you explain that you will be with your child (who can't float without it because of her disability), they should accomidate you.

PS. One of the things we used when our DD was 10, was a one piece flotation vest made of foam. When it was off of her, it was a flat piece with a hole in the center for her head to go thru. There were straps on each side and one thru the bottom that went between the legs. It fit pretty close to the body and we didn't have to worry about her slipping out or thru it like when we tried a tube. She outgrew it a long time ago, but it was nice when she was small enough to use it.