For Hannah Scott, being able to walk again would not have been possible without the use of the Dunedin Physio Pool - a facility that is unique in what it provides for people on a rehabilitative programme, which is why it is ''imperative'' that it stays open. Samantha McPherson reports.
Hannah Scott had to learn how to breathe, eat and walk again after a car crash in 2009 that left her with a severe brain injury and a broken neck.
For three years, the 25-year-old has been using the Dunedin Physio Pool, which has helped her become mobile again.
''The journey that we have been on . . . we have been able to do because of this facility,'' her mother, Marnie Scott, said.
''For us it's imperative it stays open. Everything is a challenge for Hannah to do. Natural movement comes back in the water. It's like she is free.''
But in order for the Otago Therapeutic Trust to ''convince'' the Southern District Health Board to keep the facility open, $1.5 million needs to be raised to keep the pool open and to future-proof the facility for the next 20 years.
''It's going to rely on public support but I am confident we will get there. We need to get there, otherwise we won't be able to convince the SDHB that it is worth keeping this facility open for public use,'' secretary/treasurer Neville Martin said.
The Dunedin City Council agreed to underwrite $300,000 of the cost of saving the pool - worth up to $100,000 a year for the next three years.
The offer was conditional on the Otago Therapeutic Pool Trust raising another $750,000 - or close to it - by a June 30 deadline, and a report showing the plans to repair the ageing facility were feasible.
''It is a therapeutic pool for the wider community of Dunedin . . . those recovering from surgery, and it is for the elderly. Without it, where are those people going to get benefit from hydrotherapy?'' Mr Martin said.
The Otago Sports Car Club raised $1030 for the pool from the Bethunes Gully Hill Climb on February 8.
''It is all going to add up. It is fantastic. This is the sort of spirit that Dunedin is made of. If other organisations can do the same, then we are going to hit the target,'' Mr Martin said.
OSCC secretary Ross Cameron said it was nice to be able to give back to the community and he is encouraging other clubs to do the same.
''We thought the physio pool would be the ideal place to contribute to. We would like to ask other clubs to do something similar.
''The facility is excellent and we can't afford to lose it,'' he said. To make a donation to help save the Dunedin Physio Pool, visit www.physiopool.org.nz.
- by Samantha McPherson
