Sharon Schleich

Help sweep Sharon Karabeth off her feet!

Before you can understand why I’m asking for help, you might need to know a little about me. I was born prematurely in Newport North Carolina in 1946 and later diagnosed with cerebral palsy, a birth defect that left me unable to walk. There were no incubators in the hospital, so my grandfather took me to a children’s hospital 90 miles away in a basket with a hot water bottle. As a child, I was very fortunate to have a loving mother who encouraged me to do my best and helped me to overcome the many challenges and barriers in my life. I have always been independent and pride myself on figuring out how to accomplish my goals and to get where I’m trying to go. My education included high school and college and I became an 8th grade schoolteacher with a class of 40 students. I did all this while on crutches, but I loved my job and many of my students have stayed in touch with me to this day. In 1970 I took my first flight to Miami for a family vacation, where I meant my husband Carl, a PE teacher from Buffalo NY. We married a year later (after just a few in-person visits and countless letters) and soon became parents to two boys, Eric, and Jason. It was very difficult to get around with the ice and snowy conditions while on crutches; I often had to hold on to Carl to avoid falling. I felt like I was in a prison during the long and brutal Buffalo winters, unable to get out. In 1984 we moved to Florida and left the snow behind us. I finally felt free, where I was able to drive and be independent again. I’ve always loved traveling and seeing new places, but my condition progressed; I can no longer walk or stand and am confined to a motorized wheelchair. Just a few years ago my best friend, caregiver, and husband, Carl passed away. I am on a very limited budget and rely on state assistance to provide caregivers that make my life possible.

I have had several doctors recommend aquatic therapy and I know the benefit first hand from the accessible pools I’ve been able to use at my son’s timeshare. I can improve my circulation and relieve the pressure on my body from spending all my time in my motorized chair or bed. It’s also a great form of exercise as I can move freely, something I’m unable to do any other time in my life. I have worked diligently to find a local facility for three years but have been unable to find a one that will accommodate me. Every time I visit a new gym or rehab center, I get my hopes up, only to find out that their lift won’t work for me or they’re more concerned about liability than my health and fitness. I already have a ceiling Hoyer lift that would allow me to transfer safely in and out, all that’s missing is the pool!

My children have been very generous in covering my expenses while I qualified for state assistance, but I would rather figure this out on my own, as I always have. I’m not accustomed to asking for help, but any donation for my therapy pool will be tax deductible and very much appreciated. You will be giving me the ability to experience freedom of motion.