Comments from Mickelson Therapy Pool Users & Families*

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"The pool is a lifeline for me. I have muscular dystrophy and a warm-water pool is the only place I can exercise in a way that strengthens and supports my degenerating muscles. I drive from San Francisco because this pool is a rare gem that is accessible, beautiful and essential to maintaining my health.  Shame on Sutter Health for putting profits ahead of actually providing care for people who are trying to heal." K.M., San Francisco

"I need the warm pool because of my arthritis and the warm water helps me make it through the day without drugs and my son-in-law needs it more than me. He is bedridden and the pool is the only way he can use all of his muscles. He had a stroke at the age of 28. He cried when they closed the pool." J.L., San Mateo

"My much loved 10 year old nephew, Alfonso, received treatment at the pool to take away some of the ache of his cystic fibrosis." R.G., San Mateo

"After my husband had a stroke, he used the pool for its anti-gravity benefits.  He would walk around the pool and use muscles that would be otherwise dormant. I feel it extended his quality of life and most likely his life. It emphasized his ability rather than his disability." A.P., San Mateo

"As an adult child caring for 93 year old father, I understand the NEED for these rehabilitative services.  Please STOP closing facilities that enable our senior family members to maintain quality of life!! They aren't dead yet!" V.B., Burlingame

"The pool has been my salvation in dealing with severe arthritis in my back and shoulders." F.B. , San Mateo

"As an injured worker and a former pool manager, I know first hand how important warm water therapy is. Sutter Health Mills Pen is my hospital and I am so ashamed of you. Such greed. Keep the pool open." A.S., Millbrae

"My husband went to the pool for therapy after breaking his leg in a ski accident...made a huge difference in his recovery!" R.G., Saratoga

"As my 92-year-old mother approached the end of her life there was not much that helped her feel good or hopeful, but using this pool did! She looked forward to these sessions as afterwards she always felt better physically and I could see the invigoration she received mentally." N.W., San Mateo

"I worked at the Pool for 13 years. As an Exercise Physiologist there, I saw first hand how that pool was special for the the unique physical needs of folks who were disabled, injured, in pain, recovering or just wanted alternative exercise. It was an eye opening experience to see someone who couldn't walk before, get around in the water, or who with every step leading to the water's edge was painful and it just disappeared as they submerged. Patrons told me how it decreased their medications and became essential for their mobility. As an employee, I was proud to help others in this pool. It is so disheartening to strip this away from so many individuals. I thought preventative medicine was the key. The pool is preventative as well as healing. I don't understand how a health care organization (can) do the complete opposite of this. Their logo is 'We Plus You' ... Nope, so many exceptions to their mantra." J.S., Burlingame

"This pool saved my knees. I was able to avoid any surgery because of the exercise I did in this wonderful pool!" J.L., Burlingame

"I have severe scoliosis of the spine and being able to get into the 90-degree water relieves much of the pain and also gives me tremendous relief of pressure on my spinal cord." J.W., San Mateo

"I found my way to the Mickelson Pool when my arthritic joints made it impossible to exercise in full gravity. My regular workouts there kept my aging body able to stay active and reduced my pain level significantly." C.R., San Mateo

"This pool was a beautiful, healing place.  My friends and I went there not only to exercise but to support each other through injuries, pain and illness. It was a precious resource, gifted to the community which Sutter claims to serve." J.H., San Mateo

"This pool has simply saved my life.  It has made the difference between mobility and immobility. By closing the pool we are being robbed of our general welfare independence!" A.K., Pacifica

"I suffer from multiple severe spine problems, multiple autoimmune conditions, SEVERE, CONSTANT pain EVERYWHERE. The pool is the only thing that really helps. Since its been closed, I have had serious joint problems that probably would not have occurred if the pool had been open.  I'm a 74 yr old disabled senior, with allergies to many meds and CANNOT have surgeries. The pool has been keeping me from devastation." S.P., Belmont

"After two falls resulting in 2 broken wrists at the same time and then another resulting in a shattered kneecap, physical therapy was critical.  What I gained at the pool was confidence in walking again...as I strengthened my muscles, it also removed the fear I had in falling on solid ground. PLEASE reconsider the closure of this vital contribution to our San Mateo County community. It is for our mental health as well as our physical." J.L., Burlingame

"This pool helped me regain my strength after major surgery due to a cancerous tumor in my femur. The population this therapeutic pool serves is wide and varied. Please keep this extremely valuable resource available to the community." E.B., Foster City

"The miracle of this pool was instrumental in my well being, getting my low back sciatica and bi-lateral partial knees, and cardio into working condition. (It) stabilized my balance, strengthened my knees after surgery and reduced pain from back into right hip. All was relieved from jogging in place in this pool." C.S., South San Francisco

"The pool has allowed me to manage my illness and has done wonders for my self-esteem. Now I am able to get relief in a timely manner without the need for therapists." G.M., Burlingame

"My 90 year old mother used this comfortable 90-degree wheelchair accessible pool to exercise her weak legs. And I used it to recover from sciatica." P.K., San Mateo

"I have used the pool for 20 years. Now at age 83 I am too old to drive to the pool but because of the location I am able to ride the bus. The warm water has helped me to walk and feel so much better." S.J., South San Francisco

"After 3-1/2 years of home care, I would not be walking or driving if it had not been for the pool. I have a paid life time membership. They just took it away." G.K., Burlingame

*Comments were received on our change.org petition following Sutter Health's announcement of the therapy pool's closure in June 2021.