Sunland : Grant Boosts Aquatic Therapy for Disabled

A cash grant to the Tierra Del Sol Foundation will allow the nonprofit group to conduct aquatic physical therapy for its disabled clients nearly year-round.

A $3,500 grant from the Glendale Community Foundation to Tierra, which provides training and support services for people with mental retardation, autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental disabilities, will pay for installation of a solar pool-heating system at Tierra’s outdoor pool in Sunland.

The heating system is expected to be in place by mid-October and will allow people in Tierra physical therapy programs to use the pool at least nine months of the year. Without the heater, pool use had been limited to three months. Last year, the group installed a wheelchair lift at the pool.

Water exercise for people confined to wheelchairs helps to build muscle strength, improve circulation and increase flexibility.

More than 300 people participate in Tierra programs. Their training activities include volunteer work for organizations, including the Glendale Animal Shelter, Glendale Memorial Hospital and the Glendale Parks Department, and for the Angeles National Forest.