A story from Reverend Diane Walker: Water, in its many forms and expression, has literally saved my life and soul through 68 years of living! Growing up in south Florida, I was surrounded by water for play and recreation. We swam in a neighbors’ pool daily and on late night swims, when everyone else retreated inside, I would pretend I was a mermaid under the moonlight, and swim with an abandon I wouldn’t let others see. I felt free and I felt at home, within myself, in water. As a family, we went on frequent visits to the beach, on boat rides and when things were distressing as a young person in a household of dis function, I would go to the waters’ edge of the vast ocean and know everything was going to be OK. The ocean had a magic beyond understanding! I later became a certified scuba diver and explored some of that magic below. There was always this sense of peace and calm, sitting near any body of natural wate, whether seaside, by a lake, a pond or a trickling brook. Water indeed was healing!! Later in life, when I started to have therapeutic issues of my body structure, I could no longer exercise in my normal fashion of walking, hiking, dancing and bike riding, I took to the water for my daily aerobic exercise. First, at any pool I could find and then at the therapeutic pool at the Home of the Innocents, Mary T Meagher Center and later at the YMCA in New Albany IN. My play area now became my literal healing treatment and my place of sanity from depression when I could no longer move my body as normal. Water allowed me to freely move without pain as I found all kinds of ways to work my body. With noodles and styro foam weights, I would create a parallel bar to do acrobatics in the weightless water. With a torn knee meniscus and severe degenerative disc in my back and neck, it was unbearable to move on land. Water was my savior. When my doctor prescribed PT, I requested the possibility of aqua PT since I loved being in the water, I was more likely to do it regularly. I do these exercises 3-4 times a week, to this day, as maintenance. With eventual rotator cuff surgery, my biggest struggle besides the horrible pain of that injury and repair, was that I could not get in the water. My spirit declined and finally after my surgical wound healed well enough, I asked the doctor if I could get back in the pool? She said an immediate no, fearing I might jerk my arm and injure it again. I asked if that was her only concern? Confirming yes, I bought a cloth sling and a large velcro strap, asking a friend to strap my recovering arm firmly to me body and proceeded to swim one armed for the duration of the several month recovery. Literally saving my sanity and keeping my atrophied body moving. A few more water stories: I found myself in the 1990’s, in a village in Tanzania Africa, working on a project to bring much needed water to the village of 4000 where the women would walk 10 miles every day, carrying large buckets of water on their heads, back to the village. The project built a water system with accessible spicket in the village and they thought we were angels from heaven. We take so much for granted here in the USA as we waste and pollute our precious water. Water, oh holy water. How grateful I am for you! These days you find me either at the YMCA therapeutic pool or doing laps in the Olympic size pool, (free on Silver Sneakers program as an elder), at my apartment saline pool and the glorious Falling Rock Quarry in LaGrange KY, in summer months, at Sikhino Salt Float Center in New Albany or simply finding a body of water to sit and relax by wrapped in a blanket through winter. I also love to drink fresh, clean water (that I have to purify from constant pollutants) I love to soak in a hot tub or take a refreshing shower to start the day or soothe my tired body at the end of it. And, I so appreciate that I can wash and cleanse life, at every level, with our sacred waters.

One of Diane's favorite salt water float tanks

Falling Rock Quarry in LaGrange, KY where Diane relaxes

A story from Sheri: My name is Sheri, and I am so thrilled to express my story about my journey with the beautiful kind ladies and gentlemen who attended the therapy classes at the pool. I was given 3 choices for my therapy to strengthen my knee for a soon to come knee replacement. I did a little research and found that this is where I wanted my journey to begin to get strength. The harmony and love that I felt from the group strengthened my soul as well and my physical condition. I am a former elementary retired schoolteacher. One of my goals was to build my stamina to carry the Djembe (my large drum) for my Band. Kuvebo, a West African drum and dance group. I sing, play the bells, shakers, and the duns, 3 large drums played simultaneously in a rhythm together. We had been performing around the community for elementary school children and International Festivals for over 14 years. Sometimes it was a challenge to keep up climbing stairs and carrying instruments to each performance. But by going to the pool 2-3 times a week I was able to strengthen my stride and persevere. Less than 2 years ago our Band produced our first CD. I was so proud and the Hoti’s at the pool always celebrated each other’s wins and empathized when there was a challenge in each of our lives. How fortunate we were to be with each other. One day I arrived at the pool. Mickey had set up weeks in advance, that each Hoti’ including the men, would put on a shower cap as soon as I entered the pool. I laughed so hard.Apparently I had made the comment a while back that I’d been the only one wearing a shower cap in the pool, so they wanted me to feel better ! They are so sweet! I often felt as if we were a big family in a huge bathtub talking and laughing together and sometimes, we would dance and sing to the music that Mickey Baron would provide. Mickey and Claire were the instructors in 2 classes I attended and what a joy. Both had such great expertise in their respective areas. Each would share personal and exciting stories with our groups. I also am a professional actor and whenever I went to an audition each Hoti would congratulate me on my wins and support me when I did not make the cut. It all was beautiful. I am also an entrepreneur of beauty products for men and women, and I love especially pampering the ladies because they deserve the care and attention. After my surgery, the doctors attributed that the pool was my main source for healing so well. I am so grateful for the opportunity to be in this special love bubble of fascinating people who share their stories and family events. I am looking forward to returning to the pool and gaining more strength from the therapy classes. With Deep Appreciation, Sheri Carbone

Sheri is second from right, a member of the HOTIs

Image from Sheri and the HOTIs

A story by Claire: I learned to swim when I was pretty young. My dad did not learn as young and was never as comfortable in water. He enrolled me in swim lessons and being a stay-at-home dad he was the one who took me. When I was swimming laps I would always make sure my dad was watching by saying "ready?!?" and I still catch myself saying this about all sorts of things AND my dad still teases me about it.

A poem by Julie

A story by Susan: Almost 8 years ago I learned about the therapy pool at the Home of the Innocents. My grandson had surgery on his hip dues to cerebral palsy. He was given aqua therapy as part of his recovery. I learned quickly that there were classes for people with arthritis. Until the Covid19 Pandemic stopped our classes I had been in class and walking in the pool for all of these years. I have made many friends that I cherish. Mickey Baron has taught us so much and became a friend to each and every one of us.I look forward to the day we can return to our beautiful, warm pool!

A story from the filmmaker, Robin: Weary. Diagnosed with osteoarthritis and uninsured, I was advised to prepare for knee replacement surgery. Out of necessity and a deep love of water, islands, and swimming I sought out the Home of the Innocents aquatherapy pool as an alternative space for healing. Daily practice ensued. Showing up, stretching, and spending weightless hours silently reciting affirmations, and stretching. Mobility, balance and flexibility improved. Over time, it was the heartwarming sea of humanity; the rare and shared intergenerational experiences of positivity and compassion that sweetened my journey to recovery.

pool stories

this is a collection of personal reflections, character bios, poetry and images to tide us over until we are able to gather in the pool again.