CRNAs come together to support creation of inclusive playground

A group of CRNAs recently came together to support one of their own in an effort to create an inclusive playground for children with special needs.

Maureen McCartney Anderson, DNP, CRNA/APN, a past president and current member of the Board of Directors of the New Jersey Association of Nurse Anesthetists, has a six-year-old son, Raymond, who was born with different needs. She has been working for nearly three years with town officials in Manasquan, New Jersey, on efforts to build an inclusive playground. Inclusive playgrounds are accessible and designed for children of all abilities to be able to play together.

“My son was born with different needs and is taking life at his own pace. While very unique, he is still just like any other child and wants to be included and loved. Playgrounds are a space where children come together to play and learn from one another; however, most are not designed for children with different needs,” Anderson said.

One year ago, Anderson created a non-profit 501(c)3 charity, Friends of Manasquan Parks and Recreation, of which she is the president. She recently posted on a “CRNA Moms” Facebook group a request for donations for the playground.

“I opted for this space as I have been a member of the group for years and have found it to be a safe and supportive group,” she said. “I’ve never posted anything so personal but felt it would be the best place to start as the group is full of empowering women.”

The group of nearly 10,000 CRNAs came together to support a fellow CRNA, donating over $3,000 individually. They also donated recent winnings from a group lottery ticket, bringing the total donations over $4,000. They accomplished all of this in just 24 hours.

This momentum from the CRNA Moms group sparked an organized effort from one of Anderson’s former students, Stephen Pilot. Anderson, who is an Assistant Professor at Rutgers University’s School of Nursing Anesthesia Program, received an overwhelming response from the CRNA alumni. The organization and initiative by Pilot, paired with the generosity and thoughtfulness of the Rutgers CRNA alumni, raised over $10,000 in donations.

“I am in awe of the power of these groups and am grateful beyond words. The level of support and encouragement was beyond anything I could have ever imagined,” Anderson said.

Groundbreaking on the playground is set to take place in September 2022. To learn more about the project, visit the Friends of Manasquan Parks and Recreation site.