OK, I'm back from my vacation. I went to the Keys with Diveheart and six teenagers with spinal cord injuries. We spent the first few days in the classroom and pool. Then we headed to OW for the check out dives. We got in one day of boat diving, although the vis was low and the surge was strong. The other days, we dove at a protected bay since the conditions were too rough to go out in a boat. We also spent a morning at Dolphins plus to swim with the dolphins there.
I can't put in words what an amazing experience it was. I truly think of it as a vacation, although it really is a win-win situation for everyone. For the kids, it shows them what they can do and that their injuries aren't limitations. Some of the kids were recently injured, so they are still adjusting to a new lifestyle. This trip gives them hope and shows them that they still have options in life and that their injuries didn't take everything from them. For me, it's an honor for me to be able to help these kids have this experience. I enjoy the challenge and the rewards that come with it. It's a gift to see the positive attitudes from everyone despite the less than ideal conditions. We had rough seas, low vis, and rainy weather, so our dive plans changed everyday at the last minute, yet we were able to focus on the positive aspects and successes and we truly had a great time.
Being around these six kids, and handicapped divers in general, makes me deeply appreciate the luck that I've had in life and inspires me to make sure that I use it to the fullest. There are some things that you don't miss until they are taken away and it's a shame to take these things for granted.
I encourage everyone to explore handicapped diving- it's a rich and rewarding experience. You will get back so much more than you put into it and it will sharpen your dive skills. There are so many disabled people who can benefit from diving, including veterans coming back from the Gulf War who are paralyzed and/or amputees. Feel free to PM me with questions about how to get involved.
I can't put in words what an amazing experience it was. I truly think of it as a vacation, although it really is a win-win situation for everyone. For the kids, it shows them what they can do and that their injuries aren't limitations. Some of the kids were recently injured, so they are still adjusting to a new lifestyle. This trip gives them hope and shows them that they still have options in life and that their injuries didn't take everything from them. For me, it's an honor for me to be able to help these kids have this experience. I enjoy the challenge and the rewards that come with it. It's a gift to see the positive attitudes from everyone despite the less than ideal conditions. We had rough seas, low vis, and rainy weather, so our dive plans changed everyday at the last minute, yet we were able to focus on the positive aspects and successes and we truly had a great time.
Being around these six kids, and handicapped divers in general, makes me deeply appreciate the luck that I've had in life and inspires me to make sure that I use it to the fullest. There are some things that you don't miss until they are taken away and it's a shame to take these things for granted.
I encourage everyone to explore handicapped diving- it's a rich and rewarding experience. You will get back so much more than you put into it and it will sharpen your dive skills. There are so many disabled people who can benefit from diving, including veterans coming back from the Gulf War who are paralyzed and/or amputees. Feel free to PM me with questions about how to get involved.
