Pool gives resident a renewed chance at life

As she steps into the pool, the floor begins to move and Deb Dewey is off. She walks about a mile an hour, slowly working through the pain caused by the arthritis in her back, knees and ankles.

The HydroWorx pool in the Pieters Family Life Center on Commons Way is designed to help people like Dewey with water therapy. The pool's treadmill-like floor can move up to about 8 mph. Additionally, the floor can lift up and down, which allows wheelchair-bound people to use the pool.

After she was diagnosed with arthritis about three or four years ago, Dewey needed a cane to walk. In October - only four months after starting up weekly therapy sessions - she ditched the cane and can move around almost like she did before being diagnosed.

"Between the pool and pain management, I'm about 100 percent better than I was when I started," Dewey said.

According to figures released by the Centers for Disease Control Web site, about 46.4 million Americans have a doctor-diagnosed condition of arthritis. Of those people, about 19 million have physical limitations caused by the disease.

The CDC Web site also suggests swimming and walking as ideal methods of exercise for people suffering from arthritis.

Dewey's eyes fill with excitement as she tells about her anticipation as she watched the life center being built, knowing part of her future would be unlocked inside. The HydroWorx pool was her way of continuing her gardening and bicycling passions.

Arthritis was debilitating for an avid gardener like Dewey.

"It's very difficult to garden when you can't kneel," she said.

In the past, she would use a chair so she could sit while gardening. Given her progress the last several months, Dewey hopes this year will be different.

Arthritis also affected her balance, which makes it hard for her to hop on her bicycle. Dewey hasn't so much as touched her bike in two years.

"When I can no longer feel like a liability that someone else has to worry about then I will increase my activity levels," she said.

The pool is primarily used as sports therapy for professional athletes. It's the only one of its kind in the Rochester area. But, it can be beneficial for most anybody, said Megan Geno, a physical therapist for Heritage Christian Services - the organization that runs the Pieters Family Life Center.

"It takes off a lot of pressure on the joints," Geno said.

Water therapy is also a better workout since it adds more resistance, which makes the muscles work harder, Geno said.

Water therapy classes cost $45 for six weeks. The classes must all be booked at the same time and are typically scheduled once a week on the same day and time. Physicians are also able to write a prescription for the physical therapy.

"Physical therapy is typically covered by insurance. You would just have your regular co-pay," Geno said.

For more information, call the Pieters Family Life Center at (585) 487-3500 or visit www.pietersfamilylifecenter.org.

Jessica Gaspar can be reached at (585) 394-0770, Ext. 323, or at jgaspar@mpnewspapers.com.