Aquatic Therapy program helps improve mobility

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Posted: Mon 5:14 PM, Sep 17, 2012

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Reporter: Megan Lowry Email

Updated: Mon 6:42 PM, Sep 17, 2012

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Aquatic Therapy program helps improve mobility

EAU CLAIRE, Wis (WEAU)--A local health care and rehabilitation facility is using aquatic therapy to help people with mobility challenges become more active

Ten year old TJ Ivankovic loves to swim.

But for TJ swimming isn't something that came easy.
He has cerebral palsy.

“TJ when he first came in we basically had to sit him on the deck and lower him in and work from the ground up and now he is walking around and doing his own thing in the pool,” said Aquatic Therapy Specialist Chase O’Keefe.

TJ is participating in Dove Healthcare’s Aquatic Therapy program.
The Dove pool has a height adjustable floor giving people with a physical challege easier access.
Aquatic Therapy Specialist O'Keefe says for kids, like TJ, who can't carry their full weight on land the water acts as an aid.

"The water gives him bouncy so being in the water it doesn't put pressure in his joints. He is able to balance on his legs a little better and be able to pick himself up so that he can do some more walking….so that maybe he can get out of his wheel chair someday," said O’Keefe.

TJ visits dove once a week for a therapy sessionA work out TJ says is just fun.

“It's good I just like it," said TJ

Dove Healthcare's pool is the only one in the state with a height adjustable floor.

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