Excited and Grateful for the New Connections at the 2nd National Aquatic Therapy Conference, Mumbai!

Last week, I had the privilege to meet expert aqua therapists from across India at the conference organized by Aquatic Therapy Network of India (ATNI). Reflecting on my journey since 2007, when swimming and hydrotherapy helped me overcome a life-threatening condition, I remain passionate about spreading awareness on hydrotherapy’s benefits, especially for persons with disabilities through the “Yes, We Too Can!!!” movement.

I deeply appreciate the warmth and care shown by ATNI in ensuring my travel and stay were comfortable and accessible—true inclusivity in action! It was an honor to speak on “Aquatics in Parasports” at the event. The conference also gave me a wonderful opportunity to connect with many aqua therapists from across the country.

A key milestone in our journey (at Paralympic Swimming Association of Tamilnadu) was submitting a proposal in 2013 to the Tamil Nadu Government for an accessible temperature controlled hydrotherapy pool. 

Acknowledging that clear guidelines for accessible pools were still evolving in India at that time, we referred to the well-established Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) standards and sought valuable guidance from the technical adviser of Israel’s Sports School for the Disabled. 

Thanks to this advocacy, Tamil Nadu (Chennai) now has a 25-meter, temperature-controlled hydrotherapy pool with easy steps, ramps, pool lifts, and accessible facilities. The pool features depths of 4, 5, and 6 feet, along with a 2-feet-deep baby pool—making it suitable for all ages and abilities.

Hydro Therapy Swimming Pool

 https://g.co/kgs/DoFrzbp

Chennaiites, let’s fully utilize this amazing facility! All pools must be made accessible so everyone can benefit from aqua therapy.

hashtag#YesWeTooCan hashtag#AquaticTherapy hashtag#Hydrotherapy hashtag#DisabilityInclusion hashtag#Accessi

Rest, Recover, Perform: Sleep Strategies for Adaptive Athletes

Yesterday, we had an incredibly interactive and inspiring session with the renowned Dr. Vasanth Kumar, Founder of Fitness.Inc and India’s first Sports Scientist!

Dr. Vasanth Kumar expertly cleared all doubts and shared invaluable insights on the science of sleep, recovery, and sports performance—empowering adaptive sports persons with disabilities to train smarter and perform stronger.

Highlights:

• Participants included athletes with hearing impairment, visual impairment, locomotor disabilities, as well as mothers of sports persons with intellectual disabilities and special educators.

• Practical tips on improving recovery and injury prevention.

• Engaging Q&A session with Dr. Vasanth Kumar.

• Nithya provided excellent sign language interpretation, ensuring full inclusion and communication access.

Special Thanks

A heartfelt thank you to:

• Mr. David and the entire team at Vijayapark Hotel, Arumbakkam, Chennai, for their very good hospitality.

• Geetha and Kannan for their passionate support in organizing this event.

• And of course, Nithya for her vital role in sign language interpretation.

Stay tuned for more events from

YWTC (Yes, We Too Can!!!)Trust

Together, we are breaking barriers and building champions!

#AdaptiveSports #SportsScience #Inclusion #DisabilityEmpowerment #Recovery #SleepScience #YesWeTooCan #ChennaiEvents

Embracing Diversity: Inclusive Swimming for Participants Who Are Deaf

At our recent swimming camp, we welcomed participants, including some who are deaf. Nithya Giri , our sign language interpreter, provided interpretation right in the water, fostering an inclusive environment for all swimmers.

I observed that our coach quickly adapted to train participants with diverse requirements, demonstrating that inclusivity in sports is entirely achievable. This adaptability mirrors what I’ve seen in our filmmaking courses, where instructors also embrace diverse learning needs.

Initially, deaf participants relied on the interpreter for guidance, but as the training progressed, they began to engage directly with the coach, even when the interpreter was not present. This evolution highlights that training individuals with diverse needs is not only possible but can lead to greater independence and confidence.

As we continue to break down barriers in swimming, we celebrate the diverse experiences that enrich our community.

#inclusiveswimming

#swimming