What Parents Have to Say
Miss Julie is passionate about helping swimmers of all ages build confidence and stay safe in the water. Her swimmers and their families have experienced incredible transformations, from overcoming fear to mastering new skills. Hear directly from them about how Water Safety with Miss Julie has made a lasting impact on their lives.
We also share harrowing stories of survival. Please scroll down to read the powerful stories of Daniel's Mom & Stella's Mama, who were faced with the unthinkable. Through unimaginable challenges, they have turned their pain into purpose, sharing their experiences and ensuring that no other family has to endure the same suffering. Their strength and resilience serve as a source of hope, reminding us all why water safety is so critical.
Testimonials
Miss Julie is wonderful. We've been coming to her every summer for three years, and I'm so grateful — not just for the lessons themselves, but for all the information and guidance she shares along the way. I know I can always reach out to her if we need an extra lesson, a little extra help, or if I have any questions or concerns.
She never bats an eye at a screaming baby or a scared toddler — she's fantastic with them. She sees their potential, and I never have to worry. She has given us so much peace of mind, and I love watching my child's progress each year. I feel safe knowing he's learned from her.
I recommend Miss Julie to anyone and everyone, at any age. She's a perfect fit.
- Sherrie
My oldest daughter started swimming with Miss Julie in 2022 when she was 2 years old. She is currently six and her confidence in the water is astounding. Not only do I feel a more sense of calm when she is in the water but she is working on skills that continue to make her a stronger swimmer. She is diving for toys, swimming across the length of pools, going down water slides and loving every bit.
My youngest started swim lessons at 1. She is now 3 and has fallen in love with water. Every time we swim in a public place, someone asks how she learned to swim so well at a young age. She takes her skills into lakes, which we swim in often. Swim safety was a non-negotiable for our family. Miss Julie made is all possible.
- Lexi P.
Miss Julie is a game changer & lifesaver! My 3-year-old can swim unassisted. In the past when my son was 1 and 2 years old, I had paid for private swim lessons/survivor lessons from our local pool. At the end of each season, I didn't feel like he was water safe. He wasn't able to roll over or float on his back in the pool. I was at a community baseball game when I saw a fellow mom who had 4 children all under the age of 5 and they were all wearing Miss Julie shirts. I asked the mom if they all could swim (including the one that was still bottle feeding) and she said yes. I located Miss Julie on Instagram and messaged her directly. I gave her the history of our prior experiences and said I wanted my son to be swimming before the end of this summer. She said she was confident she could make it happen and she was right. Not only did she teach him how to swim, but he is now diving for toys, taking breaths, and jumping off the diving board. She was very calm, easy going, connected, and kind. She was flexible in her schedule when my son decided that he had to use the restroom before his sessions. Her flexibility took the stress out of the experience. I also appreciated her teaching us the skills to be able to continue to perfect the lessons we learned during the week. Like any sport, she also offered a snack at the end of each lesson as a reward, which is the reason any young kid does sports in the beginning :) I would recommend Miss Julie to ANY family who wants to have a water safe family.
- Nina S.
As a new mom, swim safety was incredibly important to me, and I’m so grateful for the care and patience Miss Julie showed my one-year-old son. She taught him valuable water-safety skills while making each lesson positive and comfortable. Watching him learn to float and become more confident in the water gave me so much peace of mind. I highly recommend her to any parent looking to give their little one a safe and positive introduction to swimming!
- Kelley H.
Miss Julie is a wonderful instructor. This year was our second season and our son's confidence has blossomed. Knowing how to swim is a life skill which is so important and Miss Julie teaches with compassion, patience, and knowledge. We highly recommend Miss Julie and her incredible program.
- Kavita
That won’t happen to me… A thought that’s crossed my mind, and I’ve even said aloud a time or two. You can hear about a tragedy or miraculous event and believe that won’t happen to me, but in a matter of seconds it can.
- Daniel's Mom
Meet Daniel
It was a crowded pool party on a hot day, with many adults and kids present. My husband, 3 kids and I went swimming as soon as we got there, the two younger ones (2 & 4 years old) wearing floaties. My youngest, Daniel, “swam” pretty well with his floatie on, and he loved being in the water. After an hour of pool play with lots of good friends, my husband got out of the pool with Dan to eat lunch, took the floaties off, and dried off with towels. I followed shortly after with the girls. Before heading for the buffet table, my husband went to throw a diaper away while Daniel waited for the girls and I to get out. The girls and I dried off and headed for food, knowing the boys had already gone that way.
A couple minutes later, a seven-year-old boy who was swimming in the pool saw Daniel in the water, on the bottom of the pool, under a bunch of floating pool toys, and yelled for help getting him out. I didn’t realize what was happening until moments after hearing someone yell to call 911. I walked over towards the commotion to see this small, blue child on the ground, my husband over him beginning CPR. It took me a few seconds to realize this was my child, and even then, I was in disbelief.
That was the worst day of my life, and I knew there was a chance we may not get him back. As my friend embraced me tightly and prayed for a miracle, I was falling into total despair.
It was probably a minute, maybe two, feeling like eternity, when my sweet friend holding me exclaimed, “He’s awake! He’s awake!” I jumped up quickly to be see him, and although awake, Daniel was very lethargic and vomiting.
I was extremely relieved and grateful that he was alive, but felt we weren’t out of the woods yet. The fire department and paramedics arrived shortly after, and because we were in an isolated location (a long drive to any hospital) they airlifted my son and I to UC Davis.
We stayed overnight in the emergency department under observation, and praise God, Daniel is alive and well. He is thankfully, once again, a happy, healthy two-year-old boy. That isn’t to say there haven’t been lasting effects. Learning how to swim now has some barriers, and it was hard to hear him yell, “I’m drowning!” during a few of his lessons. I’m grateful for the progress he’s made and the things that I’ve learned through this experience. Water Safe Swim is truly worth every penny, every minute, as soon and as young as you can start your child, because seconds absolutely matter.
Meet Stella
My name is Kaitlin Casado and I’m a wife, sister, daughter, aunty, and, my favorite title of all, Mama. My husband Ronnie and I are high school sweethearts and have been married for about 8 years. I was a freelance court reporter for 10 years and my husband a carpenter for 18 years. In 2019, we were blessed with our beautiful, healthy, perfect baby girl, Stella James. She was a happy, busy, feisty girl, always trying to keep up with her cousins. Life couldn’t get much better for us as a family.
On February 6th, 2021, our lives tragically changed forever. Stella found her way to the pond on our property. Our vibrant full of life child now lay lifeless and we thought we lost her. As they continued CPR and working on her by the grace of God, Stella’s heartbeat was back. Little did we know the road that lay ahead for her and us. Our 20-month old had survived a non-fatal drowning resulting in an anoxic brain injury. The doctors left us with very little hope for Stella, but we chose to look to the Ultimate Healer for her recovery. We decided before leaving the hospital that there was no stone we would leave unturned in trying to get our girl back.
For almost 4 years we have traveled all over the United States, from New Jersey, Louisiana, Texas, Arizona, Florida & many parts of California, seeking the best doctors and professionals who believe in Stella and her recovery. I’m no longer court reporting as I am Stella’s full-time caregiver. With being a caregiver comes many more responsibilities than just getting to be Mama. I physically do everything for Stella every day. I am her voice and her biggest advocate. Stella is currently primarily G-tube fed, so I cook and blend all of her food to ensure she’s getting the best vitamins and nutrients to help her body and brain heal and grow. Aside from all the every day needs a medically complex child has, I also do her in-home therapy, which, to name a few, ranges from physical therapy, light laser therapy, and hyperbaric chamber dives.
My reasoning in sharing Stella’s story and our journey is twofold. First, it is to advocate and spread awareness about water safety and the importance of having multiple layers of protection when it comes to water. From gates, locks, alarms, supervision and, most importantly, teaching your child life-saving skills for when they have found their way to the water, despite your multiple layers of protection. The leading cause of death in children aging 1 to 4 years old is accidental drowning. And yet, so many families and parents do not know about these resources that could potentially save their child’s life. Please, I beg you, give your child the skills they need to save their lives!!
Second, my reason for sharing is HOPE. We were left with very grim and heartbreaking advice from the doctors after Stella‘s accident. I am so grateful to God and the families who reached out to us, who had gone and were going through similar experiences. Those that told us to continue praying and fighting for Stella‘s life while holding tight to our hope that she would heal. It is because of our unwavering faith and hope in Stella’s healing journey that she has come so far. She has far surpassed the things the doctors said she would never do. She is an absolute miracle and continues to show us every day what a mighty warrior she is! Never lose hope!