Maddie Farr Foundation – Swim Scholarship

Swim Lessons for Special Needs Children

With how easily the beach, pool, or even a bathtub can be dangerous or even deadly for children, that risk becomes magnified around children with special needs.  Many swim schools and swim instructors do not have programs designed specifically for special needs children, and it feels overwhelming for their parents who already feel overwhelmed between the energy and financial cost it takes to care for their child.

When the Farr family decided they needed to find lessons that could assist their special needs daughter around preschool, what they discovered was a transformative experience that also made water safe. 

Maddie Farr was the first special needs student at Goldfish Swim School, and loved every second of it.  Her dad, Brian Farr, would drive her to class and watch her continual progress and make accomplishments every week.  This weekly class became their Friday Night Date Night for many years. Despite being nonverbal, no one could deny Maddie’s immense joy radiating from her during her swim lessons.

Extending Maddie's Legacy

Now, the Maddie Farr Foundation is extending Maddie’s legacy by creating the first of its kind - a local swim lessons scholarship for special needs children.  Offering their first 3 month swim lesson scholarship at Goldfish Swim School in Winter Park, the goal is to create the same opportunity to be safe in the water and enjoy the amazing things that water can do for their muscles, safety and quality of life.  The scholarship will also relieve the financial burden and stress on families trying to find a swim school that can meet their needs.

Families with special needs children ages 2-13 can apply for this scholarship by completing the submission form prior to April 30th, 2023.  No purchase necessary to win.  No cash substitutes for swim lessons can be made.  Only one application per child will be considered. Additional scholarship terms and conditions can be found here.

The Maddie Farr Foundation is a 501(c)(3) that supports the financial needs and families of special needs children and children fighting terminal illness in the greater Orlando and Space Coast area.  Donate now, sign up for updates on our work, or Sponsor or Golf at our next charity golf tournament on April 22, 2023 in Merritt Island - Golf for Declynne.