Diving into Entrepreneurship
Isabelle Copponi spent her spring semester envisioning the upcoming summer months when children and their families rush to local pools and beaches to swim and enjoy the warm weather.
Copponi was disseminating a training program on how to teach children with disabilities to swim. Entitled “The Sunfish Method,” the program is designed to help children with disabilities participate in meaningful social activities as well as reduce rates of drowning. In the US, drowning is the leading cause of death for children ages 1-4 and the second leading cause of death for children ages 5-14.
“Drowning rates are frighteningly high and they don’t have to be,” Copponi says. “A major reason for these statistics is that a lot of parents and swim instructors don’t know how to teach kids to swim properly, particularly kids with disabilities, so children aren’t given the opportunity to learn and drowning rates remain high.”
The Sunfish Method was created by MaryKate Galluzzo, PP-OTD ‘22, who founded a swim lesson business teaching children of all abilities how to enjoy the water safely. Galluzzo made The Sunfish Method available at an affordable price online and served as Copponi’s mentor while she disseminated the program nationally.
Copponi shared the program with swimming schools and instructors, recreational centers, and occupational therapy departments as part of her doctoral experiential capstone (DEC) project. The 14-week DEC project is designed to support students’ learning by directly linking occupational therapy scholarship with practical, hands-on experience.
Galluzzo valued Capponi’s commitment to her DEC project, saying: “Belle is a dedicated and detail-oriented student with a big heart and I appreciate everything she did to get the word out about "The Sunfish Method.” I look forward to seeing her use her entrepreneurial mindset and newly acquired OT skills to help others in the future."
“This project was a great fit for me,” Copponi reflects. “I learned so much about adaptive sports and the business side of things from MaryKate. She was so supportive and knowledgeable, and made a point of saying that she’s a resource for me even after my DEC project was over. The whole experience really exceeded my expectations.”
Copponi came to Tufts with an interest in adaptive sports and pediatric occupational therapy. She studied health sciences at Springfield College where she played field hockey, and worked as a rehabilitation services aide at a local hospital prior to beginning her doctorate.
Copponi was first introduced to the field by her mother who worked in healthcare and was struck by how patient and kind her daughter was even as a small child. “You’d make a great occupational therapist,” her mother remarked – and the comment stuck. Throughout high school and college, Copponi envisioned a career as an OT.
“I chose Tufts because I wanted to join a cohesive, positive community,” Copponi reflects. “There’s no unnecessary competition here. We all work together, which is huge for me. I’ve made really close friends and the professors are so helpful. They’re always open to hearing ideas and talking through problems. It’s also great to be in Boston. It’s a healthcare hub with so many opportunities and connections.”
Copponi completed her fieldwork placements at New England Adaptive Sports, a Montessori school, and a spanish-speaking elementary school. Her favorite courses were taught by Senior Lecturer Peggy Morris and focused on school-based pediatrics.
“I could definitely see myself working in the school system one day,” says Copponi. “My courses with Peggy and my fieldwork placements have shown me that this is an environment where I thrive. At the same time, I’m interested in working with a variety of populations with different challenges and age ranges – there’s so much you can do as an OT.”
Copponi is also drawn to entrepreneurship. Inspired by her background in fashion design as well as her aunt who battled ALS and struggled to find stylish adaptive clothing, Copponi hopes to start an adaptive clothing line one day.
“Many people with disabilities need clothing that is easy to take on and off,” she says. “Clothing that has snaps instead of buttons, for instance. There’s no reason people with disabilities shouldn’t have access to clothing that is functional as well as stylish. It’s important that everyone feels comfortable and happy in what they’re wearing.”
Working with MaryKate Galluzzo has given Copponi added confidence in her ability to launch a clothing line. “MaryKate is such a brilliant businesswoman. I was able to learn so much about entrepreneurship from her.” Describing her overall career goals and motivation, Copponi adds: “I just want to help people live healthier, happier lives.”
