'NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE!"

OUR APPEAL:

On the 18th of September, the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Board made an unexpected and distressing announcement: the permanent closure of its Captain Ron Patrick Hydrotherapy Pool at their Allambie Heights headquarters in Sydney. This decision came as a shock to the clients, families, staff, support workers, and the broader community who rely deeply on this vital resource. With no prior consultations or discussions, the decision to close the pool with 12 weeks notice—a week before Christmas—feels like a harsh blow to those who cherish and depend on this facility.

Established 44 years ago with the aid of major fundraising and donations by our community- for our community, the Captain Ron Patrick Hydrotherapy Pool is not merely a place for exercise; it is a sanctuary for those living with cerebral palsy and other disabilities. Designed to support unique requirements that standard pools miss, not just another pool—a disability-focused hydrotherapy space designed and purpose-built in collaboration with the needs of clients, families,  and the community who use it. Conveniently located in close proximity to group housing, a school, employment, adjacent services and therapies for a large disability community living in and around the Northern Beach’s area.

Hydrotherapy is renowned for its significant health benefits including: improved muscle strength, balance and co-ordination, enhanced mobility and circulation, supporting and decreasing the load on joints, and reduction in muscle tension and pain. For many, it is an essential part of their rehabilitation and maintenance of physical function. Denying access to such an essential resource can lead to deterioration in health and quality of life for those who frequent the pool. Many of us have seen firsthand how sessions in this pool have improved the quality of life for those we love and care for.

This closure not only affects physical health but also impacts the emotional and social wellbeing of the users. The pool offers a welcoming and inclusive environment where participants connect, support one another, and form lasting friendships, many decades long. For some, it is one of the few venues where they feel fully at ease, supported and accepted, an invaluable aspect of their mental health and community integration. Without this pool, our community will suffer immensely. Families and individuals will lose access to a critical, specialised resource that cannot be easily replaced. Alternatives are limited, restrictive and often insufficient, leaving many without the necessary support they need to manage their conditions.

While we understand financial constraints underlie this decision, we believe the closure is a short-sighted solution that sidelines the needs of an already marginalised community, and that an outcome can be found that allows this essential service to continue. We propose that the Cerebral Palsy Alliance consults with affected stakeholders, including clients, families, and health professionals, to explore all viable options. 

We urge the CPA Board to reconsider this decision and explore alternative options that acknowledge the significance of the hydrotherapy pool. This could include seeking government support, community fundraising efforts, or partnerships with local businesses to ensure the pool remains operational. Every previous CPA Board for the last 44 years has decided that the pool was worth supporting and has found the funds to keep the pool open.

 

Let us come together to demonstrate the importance of the Captain Ron Patrick Hydrotherapy Pool. We call on the Cerebral Palsy Alliance Board to open consultations and work collaboratively with the community to find a sustainable path forward that prioritises the health and happiness of their clients. Every signature counts and brings us one step closer to safeguarding this indispensable lifeline.

 

Please sign this petition to voice your support and help us save the Captain Ron Patrick Hydrotherapy Pool for the many who depend on it.

 

*PLEASE NOTE*

This is a petition not a fund raiser, this platform uses your optional contribution to display this petition to other users who have signed or browsed similar causes.
You can opt to have your signature private or public.