If you agree, then we urge you to review the suggested letter below, and send it in today! Feel free to add your own comments, however be aware, if you send it online, there is a character limitation to the submission. The letter below fits the parameter.
Let us know if you send a letter! Write to me here or at batterup@batterupproductions.com and Eric Herman at ericshapes@gmail.com. You can also read Eric's call to action in his column, here http://ow.ly/4zBXk
Here's a suggested letter
Dear Mrs. Obama,
I’m writing you today in reference to your Let’s Move initiative.
First, I want to congratulate you on taking a leadership role in the fight against childhood obesity. It’s an important cause, one that needs to be addressed through improved diet and more active lifestyles. I am foursquare in favor of this program.
However, I’d like to share a concern: Nowhere in descriptions of the program do I see any mention of swimming as an activity that can contribute to greater physical fitness and health for our youth.
As an aquatics professional, I am keenly aware of the unique health benefits of swimming for people of all ages and levels of fitness. I believe your program could be made even better if it included information about swimming.
Of course, one area of concern is safety. You may be aware that child drowning is the number two cause of death for children under four years of age, and that a disproportionate number of drowning and near-drowning incidents occur among minority groups.
The aquatics industry has long advocated early swimming education. In addition, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends four as a good age to begin swimming lessons. There’s broad agreement that even acquiring basic swimming skills reduces drowning risks.
Swimming also offers young people a wonderful venue for achievement in a positive learning environment centered on regular physical activity. Most communities have public swimming pools available through YMCAs and YWCAs, high schools, universities and municipal facilities, making the availability of swimming programs more widespread than many people realize.
As a citizen who shares your concern for the health of our nation’s children, I ask you to consider making swimming a prominent component of the Let’s Move program.
[Your name and professional affiliation]
You can e-mail the First Lady directly at www.whitehouse.gov/contact or send the message by regular mail to:
Michelle Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, N.W.
Washington, DC 20500
You can also leave a message on the White House comment line: (202) 456-1111.
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Replies
Thanks Richard! That's a great testimonial. I have had two severe accidents and know personally the effects of swimming daily for my health.
You might enjoy this link -
http://www.nspf.org/en/OnlineTraining/Segment_Health.aspx, and
check out the article written by Barbara Goldstein for Watershapes.
Thanks Richard, you are right on. This is not about politics, and partisanship. It's about the health and future of our nation. Water has unique healing properties, unlike any other form of exercise. We are in the industry that provides the vehicle to heal our population and grow our own future industry.
Encouraging people to exercise for improved health and ultimately lower health costs is hardly political.
I think that NSPF should get involved with this since they are "focused on creating healthy pools and healthy bodies by attracting more people to safer aquatic environments". This sounds right up their alley.
OK, a petition is now posted on Facebook!
Have you signed the petition to make America healthier, get active in the pool, learn to swim, save lives http://ow.ly/4J5v5