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Mon, Jun 30th, 2014

Our friends at DIVEHEART

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Jim's DIVEHEART adventure
Jim's DIVEHEART adventure
Shortly after geting home from our Chicago "Olde Town Art Show" , Jim left for Key Largo to volunteer his Divemaster skills with DIVEHEART. I'll let him explain his photographs.
Jim's DIVEHEART adventure
Our diveheart Team
Our diveheart Team
This trip we had a set of twins with cerebral palsy, a paralyzed veteran, and a couple of stroke victims. This is our team practicing at PennyCamp Park in Key Largo. Before diving in open water, we rehearse one last time.
Our diveheart Team
We use lots of specialized gear.
We use lots of specialized gear.
Naturally,"adaptive" diving requires lots of specialized gear and procedures to make sure the divers are safe. Full face masks make it possible for almost anyone to dive.
We use lots of specialized gear.
A floating Wheelchair.
A floating Wheelchair.
We even use a floating wheelchair for beach entries. Since the last" handicapped" diver manual was written in the 1980s, we have written a new manual, called"ADAPTIVE DIVING",and incorporates all the many changes to the way we work with disabled folks.
A floating Wheelchair.
It's challenging !
It's challenging !
Working through all the many difficulties and challenges is very rewarding for the volunteers and disabled divers alike.
It's challenging !
Working as a team.
Working as a team.
But there's a great deal of satisfaction working with the team and seeing the smiles on the divers.
Working as a team.
On the boat....
On the boat....
Once on the boat on the way out to the dive site, everyone focuses on every procedure and facet of the dive. This is probably the most nerve-racking part for the divers.
On the boat....
Ready To go....
Ready To go....
Once on the back of the boat, the divers are geared up and ready to be helped into the water. Imagine the confidence it takes to jump in the water knowing you can't get to the surface by yourself.
Ready To go....
KERRY GRUSON- MIami
KERRY GRUSON- MIami
This is Kerry, strangled and left for dead back in 1974 by a traumatized veteran she was interviewing for a New York Times article. You can read more about her incredible story by googling her. She is a competitive sailor and triathlete although paralyzed
KERRY GRUSON- MIami
Christ of the Abyss in Key Largo
Christ of the Abyss in Key Largo
Our dive site that day was this famous statue in 30 feet of water on a beautiful reef. This is JC, who although paralyzed from the chest down, flies through the water with his webbed gloves.
Christ of the Abyss in Key Largo
Beautiful sights undersea
Beautiful sights undersea
For the divers, seeing wildlife like this queen angelfish is an awe-inspiring experience for someone confined to a wheelchair.
Beautiful sights undersea
Kerry meeting one of the locals!
Kerry meeting one of the locals!
In Pennycamp Park the fish are so used to people, you can get very close. This was a thrilling experience for folks usually confined to a wheelchair.
Kerry meeting one of the locals!
Danille and her sister Christina
Danille and her sister Christina
Born with cerebral palsy, these sisters got to share a wonderful adventure together. Both of them have jobs assisting disabled folks themselves.Danille places dogs in homes through the"PAWSITIVE ACTION FOUNDATION".
Danille and her sister Christina
Anything is possible
Anything is possible
For these divers,if they can SCUBA dive,they find their possibilities are only limited by their imagination.
Anything is possible
Danille's first dive completed
Danille's first dive completed
I guess the look on this girl's face says it all. Who knows what her next adventure will be!
Danille's first dive completed
Our reward
Our reward
I'm not sure who gets the most out of the adventure. Judging by the smiles on the volunteers and the smiles on the faces of these disabled divers, I guess it's a tie!
Our reward
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