My name is Jessica Brown. I graduated Lake Cormorant High School in 2014, and I am married with 3 kids. I was on the swim team in high school and have always had a love for the water. When we had our daughter I had still not decided on a career. I went to cosmetology school and got my license but I never felt like that was what I wanted to do. I was blessed enough to become a stay at home mom to my 3 kids and be able to watch them grow. This also allowed me to take them to their lessons. My passion for water safety began when my oldest was 18 months. We learned of Infant Aquatics and immediately signed her up. Since then, all 3 of my kids have been in Infant Aquatics lessons. Our closest instructor was 40 minutes away but we made it work. My kids have all developed a love for the water, but also a healthy respect for it.
I witnessed my three year old daughter accidentally walk into the deep end of a pool fully clothed. We were leaving lessons and she was busy watching a baby floating in the water and enjoying the sucker she got at the end of her lesson. My heart dropped when I saw her fall into the pool, and I ran to get her. Before I could get to the edge of the pool, she was already to the surface and swimming to safety — sucker still in hand. She got out and wasn't even fazed that she fell in, only upset that her dress was wet. Two things might happen in that situation. She could save herself and get to safety, (which is what she did) or go straight to the bottom. It only takes seconds for a drowning to happen. Even though I was right there. Within five feet of her, it still happened. It’s not about watching our kids. I was watching her. It’s about layers of protection. Parent supervision, pool fences, gates, pool alarms, and survival swim lessons.
When I witnessed IAS lessons. I knew instantly that this is what God’s plan is for my life! I sat beside the pool at my kids' lessons and probably asked our instructor way too many questions. I was amazed and wanted to know everything I could about it. Because of my love of the water and passion for water safety, our instructor encouraged me to go to training. There is a huge need for survival lessons in my small town. Drowning is the number one cause of accidental death for children between one and four years old. It takes the lives of 3 children in the United States every day. We live in northwest Mississippi and most have never heard of these lessons. My goal is to prevent as many pediatric drownings as possible, while educating children and parents on water safety. I am extremely excited to be able to bring these lessons to my community!