Mermaid Party Makes a Huge Splash for the Community

Aloha Plus One Foundation community —

The annual Plus One Foundation’s Mermaid Party, a Hawaiian themed celebration, helps grow access to aquatics for those with neurological conditions. With the support of Mary McKillop’s family and our generous donors, Plus One Foundation created the Mary 'Mermaid' McKillop Fund. Mermaid Passes are liquid gold to our community with neurological conditions. The donations to this fund are used to obtain all-access swimming pool passes to area pools for people with neurological conditions. This increased access to the pool for rehabilitation and the recovery process is life changing, helps maintain independence and strengthens social lives with a pool community.

What is it about water?

Swimming is recognized for its benefits to health. Aquatics and swimming involves most of the muscle groups and benefits blood flow throughout the body.

Science is helping us understand that immersion in a pool boosts blood flow to the brain, which can help improve mood, clarity, and focus. (See, Shoemaker LN, Wilson LC, Lucas SJE, Machado L, Thomas KN, Cotter JD. Swimming-related effects on cerebrovascular and cognitive function. Physiol Rep. 2019; and Carter HH, Spence AL, Pugh CJ, Ainslie P, Naylor LH, Green DJ. Cardiovascular responses to water immersion in humans: impact on cerebral perfusion. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2014 May.)

This year’s Hawaiian themed Mermaid Party continues Plus One Foundation‘s promotion of enhancing access to aquatics.

Aloha- love, peace, and compassion to our Mermaid Pass swimmers and supporters.

Mermaid pool Pass

If you or a loved one is affected by neurological disorders and would benefit from Aquatic Therapy, check out our grants page to learn more!