Gudelsky Exceptional Swim Program

The Gudelsky Program for Exceptional Swimmers is an endowed therapeutic recreational aquatic program designed for children and adults with neurologic or orthopedic physical limitations. The goal of this program is to provide a safe and fun environment for those who have movement disorders to enjoy the many therapeutic benefits that the physical properties of water can provide.

Since 1972, this program has been providing aquatic exercise and adapted swimming instruction for individuals who have a lesser ability to utilize mainstream instruction and facilities. No fee is charged. Participation is open to any individual with a diagnosis that meets the requirements, considering that there is adequate space and volunteer availability.

Our participants have a wide range of diagnoses: cerebral palsy, spina bifida, muscular dystrophy, brain or spinal cord injury,and orthopedic limitations that are related to developmental delay or traumatic accidents. We have also had participants who are blind or have hearing deficits.

Potential participants should contact the Program Coordinator, who will then work with the program’s physical therapist to determine if the individual is an appropriate candidate for the program. Consent/Release forms signed by the participant /parent/guardian and a medical history/permission form signed by the participant’s attending physician are required before admittance.

Our primary goal is that our participants have a safe and fun time in the water! In addition to that, we try to help them learn to move in the water with the maximum degree of independence possible, given their diagnosis and needs. Important Note: While many of our attendees learn pre-swimming safety skills and may indeed learn to swim, this program is not designed to be a professional individual swim lesson.

Our volunteers are dedicated, but we do ask that family members/guardians be prepared to enter the water to swim and play with the participant in the (typically unlikely) event that we do not have enough volunteers available.

Program Coordinators oversee the planning and organization of the participants and volunteers, handle communications, and oversee the running of the program and all related tasks.

Volunteers are the heart of this program and indeed we could not function without them! Volunteers are generally matched on a one-to-one basis with participants. The physical therapist and the program coordinators teach volunteers therapeutic strategies and adapted swim techniques and work alongside them to help the participants. All volunteers must be at least 13 years old and able to swim, and should be prepared to dedicate at least two Saturdays per month to our program. Volunteers consistently report that their experiences with the Gudelsky Program are life-changing!

A Physical Therapist consults with potential participants and the Program coordinator and provides education and instruction to participants, volunteers, and family members. Our long-time physical therapist has a specialty in aquatic physical therapy.

The Gudelsky Program for Exceptional Swimmers is held on Saturday mornings during the school year. Participants are organized into one of two available sessions, 10:30 – 11:15am, or 11:30am – 12:15pm. We roughly follow the MCPS calendar, so there are some holiday weekends when we will not meet. Participants must have their own transportation and a family member/caregiver to provide assistance in the locker room if this is necessary.

Potential participants and volunteers who would like more information about The Gudelsky Program: Contact Kathy Aitken, PT at [email protected].