Seal Beach’s Olympian, Haley Ishimatsu, on Kaiser’s Float in Rose Parade

 Seal Beach resident Haley Ishimatsu will ride on the Kaiser Permanente float in the Rose Parade in Pasadena on Jan. 1.  (Courtesy of Kaiser Permanente)

Haley Ishimatsu has plenty of experience decorating floats for Pasadena’s annual Rose Parade, said her grandmother,  Cherry Ishimatsu.

“I’m actually really excited,” Ishimatsu said this week. “I’ve seen the parade several times from the sidelines, but I’ve never followed a float or been on one.”

Kaiser Permanente officials chose to feature Ishimatsu on the float alongside seven other young patients who are fighting various diseases and conditions.

“We’re looking for riders who demonstrate a real strength and commitment in dealing with their health issues,” Kaiser spokesman Calvin Naito said. “That shows they can overcome the adversity and still manage to do well in life.”

Ishimatsu has asthma, but she hasn’t let that stop her from succeeding in competitive diving. “Asthma for me isn’t really a factor because I’ve learned how to control it,” she said.

She competed in the Beijing Olympics last year and is already looking forward to London in 2012.

Toshi Kitahara, also grandmother of Haley  and Cherry said  “She’s more than good as far as a role model she’s excellent.

The grandmothers said they were unsure if they’d be able to attend the parade in person, but they planned to watch it with particular interest concentrating on one young woman.

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