About Hampton's Guppies

Hampton's Guppies is a new nonprofit organization that provides FREE aquatic fitness, safety, and lessons to individuals with cognitive impairments, intellectual disabilities, and/or neurological disorders. They are able to learn in a welcoming, safe environment that knows how to adapt to their needs. 

Hampton's Guppies, where inclusion matters!

In 2019 my middle child was diagnosed with non-verbal, severe autism. That opened my eyes to a whole new world. When fighting and advocating for my son I found there was a major lack of places that were special needs friendly or provided the same services to special needs that neurotypical individuals get. Like swimming!! I know many people who have been turned away from swimming lessons because an instructor or organization “doesn’t know how to handle” an individual with special needs. Well, I do! That’s what lead me to start my nonprofit, Hampton’s Guppies. 

Living in Michigan we are SURROUNDED by water, it makes up 41.5% of the state! Did you know that drowning is the LEADING cause of death in Autism? An individual with autism is 106x more likely to drown than a neurotypical individual. I WANT TO CHANGE THAT! Having a child with special needs, I understand how terrifying and on edge it can be to be near water. You cannot take your eyes off of them, not even for a second! I also know that not many people understand an individual with a visible or invisible disability and how to teach them. I DO! It is my goal to teach water safety and survival strokes to thousands of special needs families in hopes to change the statistics and potentially save lives!