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Paceline hosts First Swim Clinic in North Carolina

Ability Prosthetics and Orthotics and Paceline hosted an OPAF First Swim Clinic on Saturday, March 28th at Queens University of Charlotte in Charlotte, North Carolina. First Swim was led by three time Paralympic swim champion, Jason Wening, CPO and the Queens University swim team. There were a total of twelve participants in addition to Jason as well as Ability and Paceline staff and the Queens University of Charlotte swim team, family, friends and observers, giving us a total attendance of over 45 people. Participants came from across the state of North Carolina and as far away as Maryland to partake in this wonderful day. OPAF intern, Emma Durante did local coordination of the event. Emma is a senior at Queens and a four year member of the swim team who intends to pursue Occupational Therapy for her graduate degree.  Swimmers were given both one on one and group help and instruction, both in the water and from the pool deck. Our participants were both orthotic and prosthetic patients with both upper and lower limb differences, spinal cord injuries, and visually impaired individuals.  Everyone in attendance was presented with a Be Strong Stay Strong, Boston Marathon t-shirt as well as a Willow Wood beach towel and an OPAF First Swim drawstring bag. Comments included, “This was a WONDERFUL experience. Thank you so much for getting our family in the pool together. Looking forward to more Firsts” Carol Downing a parent participant at the clinic, and “This was a fantastic way to experience my first time back in the pool. I LOVED IT! I learned how to get in and out of the pool and feel more confident. I will tell my friends who are amputees” said Erika Brannock another participant, who made great improvements in the water.