Seeking CHANGE: PLEASE READ & HELP BY TAKING ACTION!

If you are a resident of Missouri Valley, Iowa, I’m asking that you consider signing this petition to allow life jackets/flotation devices to be worn by children at the Missouri Valley pool. 

Many of you know that I have 6 children. Some of you may not know that Rosealee, my second oldest, drown at a family pool when she was 4-years-old. Luckily, I was there to pull her up and expel the water from her lungs. The ER doctor called this an “unsuccessful drowning”. Rose is now 8, but I can still see the image, etched in my memory, of her trying to get to the stairs while submerged and her body going limp.

Since this experience, that forever changed my Rosie-girl and me, my husband and I have done our part as parents to get our kids swimming lessons and be watchful in the rare occasion that we go to the pool. However, drowning can happen in the blink of an eye and, I can tell you first hand, that it does NOT often look like drowning!

For this reason, if my children are not yet strong swimmers, they wear a life jacket when in water that they cannot touch the bottom. However, Missouri Valley is the only town in Harrison County that does not allow life jackets to be worn, expect for family nights. I’ve asked about this over the years and have been told several different reasons. While I understand these reasons and do not discount the responsibilites of parents to supervise their child(ren) in or near water, I must speak up for myself, my children, and others who feel this policy should be reviewed and reconsidered.

I’m asking that if you feel this way as well, please PLEASE do one or both of the following:

• sign this petition
• go to city hall and file a complaint

I am only one person and not expect much change without a mass numbers of complaints or signatures. I will be filing a complaint and be taking this petition to the council.

City hall said that hearing from the community is best place to start. Will you PLEASE help me?!