University Daily Kansan / Friday, December 7, 1990
9B
Teri Walker (right), Lawrence resident, encourages Jeremy Proctor to swim to her as she and Stacy Stielow, Lawrence resident, assist him while he swims between them.
Class builds swimming skills
The students struggle from one end of the pool to the other, trying to keep their heads above the water while whilie most working their arms and legs.
The students are from Hillcrest Elementary School, 1045 Hilltop Drive, and are swimming at Lawrence High School, 1901 Louisiana St., as part of an adaptive physical education program designed for children with disabilities.
The students' ages range from 6 to early teens, said Pat Grenda, supervisor of the program. The direction that the students take in the program depends upon the child's ability in the water.
"There are different safety levels," Grenda said. "We teach skills that build on water safety and strength."
The class has been part of the Lawrence school system for nine years. Students from Lawrence High School and Centennial and Cordley elementary schools also participate in the program.
In the program's early stages, only children with severe multiple handicaps can play Grendel. The students, study team and handicap cards, such as cerebral palsy.
have been integrated into the program.
Grzenda said that the students in the class were not necessarily mentally disabled.
Grzenda said that she depended on the help of the other workers involved in the program to assist the students.
"It's a real team effort," she said. In addition to Grenda, there are occupational therapists, physical therapists, teachers, paraprofessionals and KU students involved with teaching the classes.
"Obviously, I can't do it by myself." Grzenda said. "The extra hands help."
Ideally, the students work one-onone with a teacher, she said.
"Sometimes we even need two-one one with some students." Grzenda said. "But it's a chronic problem, not having the extra hands."
If there are too few supervisors a student might have to sit out a class, Grzenda said.
KU students become involved with the program for credit.
"They must be willing to work hard, and some days it's not much fun," she said. "But experience is the best teacher."
She said that the program enabled
KU students to gain experience and interact with children who had disabilities, which in turn raised the KU students' level of comfort with the
Parents also are encouraged to get involved with the program.
"They are are absolutely instrumental in guiding us," Grzenda said.
Parents occasionally become involved enough to substitute for instructors when the classes are short-handed, she said.
Jance Proctor, the son son Jeremy, 13, is in the Hillerstreet class, said that her son loved the water and that he responded well to the instructors.
"He's just amazing." Proctor said "People don't believe he can swim. He becomes alive when he can take control over his body."
Grzenda said that the students enrolled in the classes met twice a week and worked according to a written set of goals and objectives.
Jeremy Proctor used to use a life preserver in the water but has progressed so that he now does not need one for class.
"it's designed with the students' particular needs in mind," Grenda said. "The goals are written every year, and they are met in the water."
Brian Tuel swims while Pat Grzenda monitors.
Story and photos by Richard Quinn
Bea Scott swims across the pool as part of her activity program.
Erica Pfannenstiel helps Jermaine Humes jump off a diving board.
Erica Pfannenstiel, Lenexa senior, helps Bea Scott out of the pool at the end of class
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