Aquatic therapy for an ALS patient.

The opportunity to participate in wellness programming can be particularly valuable to persons who must be prepared to deal with continuing gradual physical deterioration for the rest of their lives. During time periods when his health was stable, without evidence of a rapid progression of the illness, Charlie was able to devote some energy to the pursuit of swimming, an activity he had enjoyed for many years. The WETSwim program provided the opportunity for Charlie to take an active role in the management of his physical and psychological status. In an environment where he was able to overcome barriers to participation, Charlie could explore aquatic recreation activities and resume a leisure role. He experienced the opportunity to learn and practice swimming skills, develop an area of performance to a mastery level, and improve his quality of life. Occupational therapists are no longer confined to the traditional locations for and methods of providing treatment. Encouraged by the changing economics of health care, they seek alternative ways of providing quality health care (Frazian, 1985). Persons with short-term physical dysfunction, as modern consumers, are taking greater initiative in the medical management of their dysfunction and seek alternatives to passive forms of treatment. Persons with chronic or long-term physical disabilities, in addition to having basic needs for optimal sensory-motor function and ADL independence, are becoming increasingly interested in physical fitness. The WETSwim program offers a wide range of opportunities, medical and recreational, functional and social, to the consumer with physical dysfunctions.