Worthy Causes: JoJo's Hope

by Karen Gibbs

When Robby Fritscher’s 3-year-old nephew, Joseph “JoJo” Fritscher, drowned in 1998, Robby’s whole life turned around. Wanting to do all that he could to prevent other children from drowning, he made a career change. Instead of pursuing construction with his father, he chose to return to his first love, swimming. Since he was 13, Robby had worked with disabled children. He’d also taught at swim schools since he was 18. That’s why when Elmwood Fitness Center called for an aquatics instructor, Robby literally jumped at the chance. In addition to his paid job as aquatic instructor, he also taught children with disabilities at no cost.

During this time, when he was instructing 18 special-needs kids, Robby came up with the idea of paying other instructors to help with these children. Thus was born JoJo’s Hope, a swimming program for special-needs and disadvantaged children. It is offered on the northshore at Franco’s Athletic Club, where Robby currently serves as aquatics director, and on the southshore at Elmwood Fitness Center. “This is one thing I can give back to the community and to parents who have to work extra hard because their children have special needs,” remarks Robby.

Paula LaCour is one such parent. Thanks to JoJo’s Hope, her daughter, 9-year-old Hannah LaCour, is now passionate about swimming. Born with Down syndrome, she began taking swimming lessons six years ago through JoJo’s Hope. The results of the program are obvious, and the transformation in Hannah has been remarkable. According to her mother, Hannah is not fearful of water at all. Most impressively, a recent evaluation of her leg strength showed that the diminutive youth has incredible strength in her legs when compared to other children with Down syndrome.

Another success story is Zack, a teen who was struck by a drunk driver and told by doctors he’d never walk again. Robby used his skill as an aquatics instructor to teach Zach how to swim and walk in the water. Through moving in the water, Zack ultimately learned to move on land. Such improvements are proof of the tremendous success of the JoJo’s Hope program.

An added benefit of JoJo’s Hope is that it fosters interaction between the children and their parents. Parents go into the water with their children when they are small and learn techniques to enhance their children’s ability to breathe and do strokes. Also, parents take part in activities with their children to help develop social interaction.

Once the children learn to swim, they are encouraged to join a swim team and, those that do reap even further benefits. According to Robby, the social benefit of being part of a team is huge. “Some of our kids never talked, and now they’re shouting. Some never touched anyone, and now they’re hugging each other.” Children who are armless, autistic, blind or who have neuro-muscular problems all benefit from the social as well as the physical aspects of JoJo’s Hope. Hannah LaCour is on such a team; she is now looking forward to moving to the next level—the Special Olympics. “She’s a very competitive child who enjoys performing,” states her mother.

With 8,000 children with disabilities in the greater New Orleans area, and only six percent of health clubs nationwide offering aquatics programs specifically designed to meet their needs, JoJo’s Hope is indeed outstanding in its field.

JoJo’s Hope is a non-profit foundation dedicated to teaching special-needs children and disadvantaged children how to swim. For more information, contact Robby Fritscher at rfritscher@myfrancos.com or call 985-792-0274.