New Lift at Pool Creates a Splash

Jo Orth wanted to follow her doctor’s orders to do some swimming as a form of rehabilitation after her hip and pelvis were removed four months ago. But she found that climbing the steps in and out of public pools had became impossible.

These days, however, Orth, 66, again splashes in the water with fins on her feet and goggles over her eyes, thanks to a new device that picks her up, places her in the water and lifts her out.

The chair lift, powered by a hand crank, is the only one of its kind at a public pool in Orange County, according to Todd Olsen, supervisor at Independence Park of Fullerton.

He said some city pools have ramps in which the disabled roll their wheelchairs into the pool and dive in, but most have no special access for people with physical handicaps.

He said the move by the city to install the $1,800 lift was prompted by requests from people who wanted to swim in the park’s 50-meter pool but couldn’t get in or out of it.

“Now they can swim in the pool--the only Olympic-size pool in north Orange County,” Olsen said.

At a recent visit to the Fullerton pool, Orth sat in the chair lift and lifeguard Stuart Wightman turned a handle that placed her in the water.

“This is wonderful,” said the smiling Anaheim resident. “This is the only exercise I get.”

Another swimmer, Fullerton resident Virginia Neal, said she has been using the lift since it was installed in March because her arthritis problems give her trouble getting out of the pool.

“Getting out is really hard on my knee,” she said. “I’m so grateful [the lift] is there to help. Lots of people have been waiting for it and now everyone can use the pool.”

The pool, at 801 W. Valencia Drive, is open to the public Monday through Friday from 11:45 a.m. to 1:45 p.m., Wednesdays from 7 to 9 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday from 1 to 3 p.m. Hours will expand in the summer.