Last year's event tallied more than $100,000 to benefit local multiple sclerosis programs
By JAN HOGAN VIEW STAFF WRITER
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They may not be able to walk on land, but put them in the water and they're as graceful as dancers.
The Water Babies, a water therapy group of those with multiple sclerosis, will be part of the upcoming MS 5K Fun Run/Walk on Saturday inside the Fashion Show mall.
This is the first time the event will be held at the shopping destination.
"We are holding the event at the mall because we have dealt with poor weather in the past," said Susan Westbrook, director of the local chapter of the MS Society. "The use of the mall is free, allowing more money to go to research and programs."
Last year's event raised more than $100,000 to support research and programs.
As for the Water Babies, they meet twice a week at CCSN's West Charleston campus to undergo therapy sessions with Tracey Jablonsky, director of the college's aquatic department, and her staff.
The hour-long sessions offer relief to those who can no longer walk. The rules of gravity change when water comes into the equation.
"People in wheelchairs walk great in the pool," Jablonsky said. "There, they have freedom of movement. It's something they experience nowhere else in their lives."
The pool provides a low-impact workout as buoyancy takes weight off the body's joints. Just the feel of the water lapping against the skin has a soothing effect.
Swimming is not necessarily part of the therapy.
"It's more feet on the floor kind of workouts, stretching and walking," Jablonsky said.
Millie Alston, 69, is one of the participants. She was in her early 40s when she was diagnosed with MS. She has been in a wheelchair since 1993.
"I let nothing interfere with going to the pool," she said. "I even schedule my doctor appointments around it."
She said the warmth of the water seeps into her and the exercises help her stay strong and independent. Just as valuable, she said, is the social aspect of being in the group.
The program is supported by the local MS Society chapter and was started about 12 years ago as a joint effort by the chapter and Joe Cracrast, director of physical therapy assistant programs at CCSN.
There are currently 30 people in Water Babies but usually only 12-15 show up at each session. The numbers are split evenly between the two genders.
For the past eight years, Ed Loesch, 57, has been part of the aquatics program. He first presented symptoms of MS in 1997 and eventually was wheelchair bound.
But Loesch started taking one of the new breed of MS drugs and has regained some mobility. He progressed from the wheelchair to a walker and now uses a cane for walking. He credits the water program with helping his muscle strength.
The new therapy drugs have given Loesch hope.
"We've seen a lot of advances the last few years," he said. "I think a cure is right around the corner."
The MS 5K Fun Run/Walk is slated for 8 a.m. Saturday. Booths will open at 6:30 a.m. with pre-event activities following.
Participants should park in the south parking garage, near Bloomingdale and Dillard's, to enter the mall that early. Activities will begin in the Great Hall outside of Nordstrom.
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