Pool hosts Central VA Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association event
On July 12, our aquatic arena hosted a get together for members of the Central Virginia chapter of the Charcot-Marie-Tooth Association. Charcot-Marie-Tooth is a progressive peripheral nerve condition that causes muscle weakness and atrophy in the arms and legs, sensory loss, and other complications. Its many variants make diagnosis difficult. As event organizer Karen (photo below, center, with her husband Chuck) observes, “The challenges never stop, every day it’s something new.”
“As part of an unprecedented initiative, a CMT Pool Party Event was hosted by Powell Wellness
Center. CMT is a neurological disorder that affects 1 in 2500 people around the world. With no
cure, patients have to be innovative with treatments and therapy. Powell Wellness Center
understands the challenges these patients face and provides ways of exercising for nearly
every condition. Powell Wellness manager Bryan Millea along with CMTA Branch Leaders
Karen Dyer-Smith, Allen Pearson and member Carol Foster met in March for a brainstorming
session. Out of that meeting came the idea of the first ever CMT-style pool party.
A plan was laid out to provide aquatic water therapy for patients unable to stand or walk. Karen Dyer-
Smith volunteered to go into the pool using a water wheelchair. Safety was at the top of priorities.
Powell Wellness and the Central Virginia CMTA Branch were able to prove the benefits of water
can greatly improve mobility. Karen Dyer-Smith got the miracle and experience of a lifetime.
The ability to stand, walk and enjoy the simple pleasure of a pool party – after over 20 years not
being able to enjoy that pleasure.”
To learn more about CMT, please visit https://cmtausa.org/
For information about the branch serving Central Virginia, please visit https://cmtausa.org/branches/central-virginia/
