Proud to Be From Pittsburgh

Proud to be from Pittsburgh: Friends, family, businesses raise $140k for family’s therapy pool

INDIANA TOWNSHIP, Pa. — As a baby, Ada Grashow would light up in the water. She’s 11 now, and water is essential to her.

Ada lives with Phelan-McDermid Syndrome, which causes medical and intellectual challenges.

Being in the pool helps strengthen her muscles so she can move easier, communicate better, and it enhances her already-sweet spirit.

“All of those things can open up somebody’s world in so many ways that so many people take for granted,” said her mom, Katie Grashow.

This close-knit Indiana Township family saw Ada decline when battles with insurance left them not able to regularly take Ada to water therapy. So they came up with another idea.

“It made sense to just go for the indoor water therapy pool here at the home, which felt crazy to even say out lout at first,” Grashow said.

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But the community didn’t think so. Friends, family and businesses have helped to raise $140,000 to put in a therapy pool at the Grashow’s house.

A group of volunteers helped demolish an old garage in March, and Grashow said contractors have donated their time and talent to get the pool where it is today. The next step will be putting in the actual pool.

When it’s done, Grashow said not only will it help replace Ada’s pain with joy, but it will give her sisters, Wilhelmina and Oona, a place to enjoy time together.

“Every step of the way we’ve been blown away by the generosity and the amount of hope and faith that people have jumped on board with,” Grashow said.

Much of that likely comes from the voice Grashow gives to Ada, spreading her message.

“Maybe the next time somebody sees someone that’s different than them, they can be a little bit more open and more understanding then maybe more kindness can be shared,” she said.

For more information on how you can help and the businesses that have graciously been there for the Grashow family: https://www.gofundme.com/f/mermaidfund