BROWARD COUNTY, Fla. – Florida leads the nation in child drownings. We are surrounded by beautiful bodies of water and it’s why swim safety is more than a story. It’s a priority for us.
In this “Swim South Florida” story, Local 10’s Nicole Perez has introduced us to a mother who is sending a message about the importance of teaching your children how to swim, after her daughter had a near drowning experience.
Chekesha Graham says all children need to learn how to swim.
On a day that was meant to be celebrated for her, Mother’s Day 2024, is now a day she will never forget.
“At the end of the family gathering on Mother’s Day my cousin asked if my daughter and my son can go with him to their house to have like a mini barbecue and just have the kids getting the pool with his kids, so I allowed that. I will say maybe within two hours or so that’s when I received the phone call that they were on their way to take her to the hospital because she had was had drowned,” said Chekesha Graham.
Graham told Nicole she rushed over to the hospital to wait for answers as to what happened to her nine-year-old daughter. She spent two weeks in the hospital.
“They said well, whoever did CPR on her because we heard that someone did CPR, they said that they did an amazing job and that she’s fighting,” said Graham.
Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation or CPR is a lifesaving procedure performed when the heart stops beating. Immediate CPR can double or triple the chances of survival after cardiac arrest. Unsure of how her daughter would recover, doctors told Graham there was a possibility her daughter would never be the same again.
“They said it might be a long recovery if she survived this, she might be a vegetable. They said if she does survive you know it would be a miracle because it’ll condition of her brain,” said Chekesha Graham.
And a miracle she was. Arihanna Graham survived and would require little to no physical therapy. Her recovery was so incredible, the city of Lauderhill put on a big celebration for Arihanna and her family with a surprise twist.
“The YMCA was there, and they surprised us and gifted us with private swim lessons which is the best thing ever. I loved it I’m like can we continue like wait can I get more classes,” said Arihanna Graham.
Chief Operating officer for the YMCA of South Florida, Tara Montenaro said it is so important that not only children, but people of all ages learn how to swim and be safe around water.
“It can go from fun to immediate catastrophic outcome in a matter of one second,” said Montenaro.
Florida leads the nation in child drownings.
“We are surrounded by bodies of water, and it should be one of the very first things parents think about and getting their child safe around water,” said Montenaro.
Parents and caregivers are advised to:
- Never let children swim alone.
- Make sure there is an adult with the child at all times.
- Make sure your child receives swim lessons.
Graham left her job of 16 years to dedicate her life to raising awareness about child drownings by telling her family’s story through a children’s book, Arihanna and the Big Splash.
“I wanted to get this story out to the world to let them know the importance of what my daughter went through. So, it also shows her courage as well of not being afraid to get back into something because you know once we’ve done something and you know A tragic situation happened. It’s like we’re afraid to go back,” said Graham.
Graham’s most important message is to do it for the child. For Arihanna, her favorite part of the book is the first part, because it shows her with her family and friends.
For more information, visit: https://ymcasouthflorida.org/swim-lessons/.
Miami-Dade Parks, Recreation and Open Spaces offers a host of swimming classes for any skill level.
To find out more, visit: https://www.miamidade.gov/global/service.page?Mduid_service=ser14716214303986
The City of Miami offers free and low-cost aquatics programs for kids, seniors and veterans.
For more information, visit https://www.miami.gov/My-Government/Departments/Parks-and-Recreation/City-of-Miami-Aquatics-Programs
The Florida Department of Health in Broward provides free swim coupons to residents, along with a new lifeguard and swim instructor scholarship program to help fulfill the swim instructor shortage.
For more information, visit watersmartbroward.org.
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