Sponsor Aquatic Therapy for Mexican Children

We have had a super couple of months as the Aqua Therapy sessions recommence after a short winter break.  Our sessions have moved to Club Vallarta (https://clubvallarta.org), an amazing complex that is also managed as a Charity, with their mission - to provide  low-income kids with some of the same educational and recreational opportunities that kids from wealthier families enjoy and to instill in them positive values to include helping others - aligning well with that of Therapies Unite for ensuring all have access to opportunities.

This year, Gaynor-Kay Barrow, one of our Trustees and Clinical Educator, took 3 final year students from University, studying for a Masters Degree in Physiotherapy, for a 4-week clinical placement to Puerto Vallarta, to experience the Therapies Unite Projects as well as some other projects we have had long term collaborations with.  We will feature Gaynor’s and the students’ stories over the next few newsletters, so here is the first one, from Alex Sharp, relaying her experience of the Aqua Therapy with Catrin’s Penguins, of the clinical placement in general and Puerto Vallarta itself.

Hi, I’m Alex, a 4th physiotherapy student at Keele University. I was lucky enough to spend a month on clinical placement with Therapies Unite, gaining hands-on experience and seeing the incredible impact of their work.

During my time there, I assisted in hydrotherapy, led exercise classes for older adults, and ran play therapy sessions for children with additional needs. This experience taught me how to adapt therapy using available resources, a valuable lesson that broadened my perspective beyond what I’ve seen in England. The Therapies Unite team was incredibly welcoming and knowledgeable, making my placement both educational and rewarding.

One of my favourite moments was working with Mateo, a visually impaired boy who had never been in a swimming pool before. Within a few weeks at Penguins, he went from complete beginner to swimming independently, an inspiring transformation to witness!

Beyond the clinic, I loved exploring Puerto Vallarta—spotting whales and dolphins, learning to surf, and enjoying amazing food. My time with Therapies Unite was unforgettable, and I can’t wait to return as a volunteer in the future!

It was wonderful having Alex join the team, and we really look forward to her supporting us in the future.  Best of Luck Alex as you start your career as a newly graduated Physiotherapist.

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