Therapists Dive In to Aquatics

Cindy Freedman and Ailene Tisser are often well marinated — in chlorine. The therapist duo created Angelfish Therapy to bring aquatic therapy to children with special needs across Fairfield County.

Sitting out of the water at Norwalk's Courtyard by Marriott for a few minutes before starting a session, Freedman asks her partner, “Do you like marinating in that chlorine 35 hours a week?”

“I really do! Throw me on a grill — it’s the perfect recipe!” Tisser says, laughing, from the pool. She and Freedman spend hours every day soaking in the chlorinated waters as children swim and exercise around them.  

The two came together 12 years ago to combine their talents. Freedman’s background is in occupational therapy, while Tisser focuses on physical therapy.

“We work the whole body in the pool environment, where kids tend to be happy,” Freedman said. She points to a child working with dumbbell-shaped floats. “Like this little girl, she has no idea that her grasp is getting better."

Claire Ruffinott says the techniques used by Freedman and Tisser have made a dramatic improvement in her son, William. He is working through a sensory perception condition and low muscle tone. Ruffinott, who is a nurse, praised Tisser and Freedman. “They are absolutely fabulous therapists. They are so dedicated to the children,” Ruffinott said.

Their work touches people even beyond the community they help. Ronit Glantz and Bryan Robik, the owners of the company behind Shelton’s Crescent Village, also built Freedman’s home. They jumped at the chance to recommend Angelfish Therapy as an organization the community should embrace.

Freedman said it is a misconception that aquatic therapy is only for children with physical challenges. She said many of their clients have developmental conditions, including Asperger’s syndrome and ADHD.

Freedman and Tisser have worked mostly throughout Fairfield County, but they have recently expanded to New York and Boston. They have a few trained and licensed therapists working with them. Freedman said part of the challenge is finding a place to work. “Anybody who has a pool who wants to rent to us, call us, we want to rent from you,” said Freedman.

For more information about Angelfish Therapy and aquatics, visit its website. 

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