Michelle struggles daily with a number of complicated medical problems. She has what is called atopic disease, which results in severe allergies, skin inflammation and respiratory difficulties. Michelle’s condition is particularly serious and her doctors say they have never seen such a severe case. She has numerous allergies and is in constant danger of going into anaphylactic shock. Michelle must wear a mask in public and is home schooled due to the high risk of being exposed to any substances that she can have a reaction to. Her skin is incredibly sensitive and burns easily when coming into contact with sun and chemicals.

Cindy, Michelle’s mom, said that it’s been tough for Michelle. “She’d go outside but there was really nothing for her to do. And swimming was hard because the chlorine would just eat at her skin.”

Now, thanks to her very own saltwater pool, Michelle is enjoying the summertime months just like all the other kids her age. And Cindy said it’s perfect for her skin. “It’s not only fun for her but beneficial medically too!”

At fifteen months old, Caden was diagnosed with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction. This is a rare disorder that causes impaired gastrointestinal motility and is caused by several different nerve and muscle abnormalities in the digestive system. For Caden, having this disorder has meant four intestinal surgeries, constant intestinal problems and he has to be fed via feeding tube.

“He is so excited to have the pool,” said Caden’s father of his son’s wish. “He even went into the pool right after it was filled, even though the water was only 66 degrees! It only lasted for a few minutes though” before Caden got back out. “Now all we need is the Chicago weather to warm back up and he will be in nonstop!”

While waiting on a warmer climate, Caden and his siblings are planning out what sorts of toys they want to get to enjoy in the pool. For Caden, it’s a real wish-come-true!

Eighteen-year-old Anemarie is a miracle of a young lady with a spitfire personality to match. She faces every day with a smile and is determined to make the best of every situation. Anemarie is quite a fashion “diva” and just loves beautiful clothes. She collects Beanie Babies and pocketbooks as well as fashions. Anemarie’s also very good at woodworking and just loves to be outside.

At nine months old, Anemarie was diagnosed with a rare chromosomal disorder called Trisomy 9 that very little is known about. This disorder can cause many different types of dysmorphisms in the skull, nervous system, heart, kidneys and musculoskeletal system; it can also cause developmental delays. At eighteen, Anemarie is very small for her age though she was put on a growth hormone that accelerated her spinal growth and caused scoliosis, or a curvature of the spine. Anemarie has endured 4 surgeries on her spine in order to insert rods and to fuse her vertebrae from her neck down to just above her pelvic bone. After her second surgery, she was paralyzed for a few months and had to wear a stabilizing “halo” for six months. She is soon due to undergo surgery to remove the hardware in her spine. Anemarie has many physical limitations, cannot talk and is in and out of the hospital frequently.

Anemarie was surprised when she got home from school to find a brand new pool being set up in her backyard! Soon, she’ll have her very own beach and she’ll be able to splash as much as she wants.

Allyson was born with spina bifida, a neural tube defect that occurs when the spinal column fails to close completely. The condition has left Allyson confined to a wheelchair. In addition, she has cerebral palsy and suffers from frequent seizures. Allyson has already endured countless surgeries in her young life with perhaps even more in the future. While Allyson’s condition prevents her from doing many of the same things as other kids her age, one thing she can do – and does very well! – is to swim. She’s definitely doing quite a lot of that in her very own, brand new swimming pool!