divers with disabilities comments

"Getting my Open Water certification was one of the best things I've ever done. It got me out into the community interacting with other like-minded adventurers and started me down this path of exciting outdoor sports.

I highly recommend that other blind people pursue this program."

Erik Weihenmayer, Blind Adventurer, Motivational Speaker, Author

Scott,

I just read about your induction into the Disabled Divers Hall of Fame. I want to say congratulations, it's well deserved.

I'm proud to have been part of the A-1 family of diver graduates and still reflect upon my initial training (OW thru DM) at A-1. You're personal attention and guidance in the classes I had you for my instructor still go with me in my own continuing career as a PADI instructor. I've always regarded the training I received at A-1 as the best anyone can receive and it's due mainly to you and the staff you maintain at A-1.

Your background in physical therapy and as a scuba professional has lead you to this point and this particular recognition is long overdue. This along with all the other contributions you've given to the scuba industry, is something you can be very proud of and something everyone should look at when thinking about their own career and where it can take them if they are fortunate enough to be able to work in this industry.

I wish we could all do as much.

All the best,

Mike D.
PADI MSDT

Greg Cooley diving

"There's a world under the sea that's gravity free!"

-Kirk W.

As a blind individual I never thought I would get the opportunity to go scuba diving. I was confident I could do it but never had the opportunity.

This scuba discovery gave me the feeling of freedom. The experience of being able to breathe underwater and go where you want is great. This was an exceptional thing.

Jay

Lalo

Dear A-1 Scuba and Travel Center,

I wanted to thank you for giving me the incredible opportunity to dive at the Denver Aquarium.

Diving at the Aquarium was truly amazing.  To dive with the fish produced a heavenly experience where I felt suspended in time and space. A place where time stopped and for a moment the pain and the burden of recovery disappeared.
But as magical as it was to dive with the fish, the most beautiful moment for me was to see Victoria's excitement across the glass. It was priceless.

Also, despite the thickness of the glass wall, I was surprised at the fact that there was little distortion of those on the other side of the glass and to be able to come so close to them while the marine life swam all around us was an unimaginable experience.  I am in awe of the leadership at Craig Hospital for the value they place on recreational therapy and in particular to the scuba program. And after living through the experience I can truly say thank you!

My journey through Craig has been phenomenal, but to have gone scuba diving as part of my recovery process was way beyond any expectation.  I have never even dreamed of such an experience as part of a recovery program. The event produced such effect on me that it provided an immense energy boost - both mental and physical. I know I will one day be free of pain because I have already experienced it twice, and both times it happened while I was scuba diving. Additionally, the installations behind the scenes at the Aquarium were in themselves amazing to see. I was amazed at all the required equipment to maintain the quality of the water for the fish to thrive in the artificial environment.

Carol, Scott and Craig, I cannot thank you enough. This experience was the highlight of the recovery journey.

Hugs,

Lalo

Greg Cooley diving

"On land you have to deal with Gravity therefore even the simplest task can become insurmountable. From the moment you enter the water you start to regain some of the freedom you lost, gravity is no longer a hindrance. Thank you A-1 for giving me some of my freedom back!"

Greg Cooley, Traumatic brain injury

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"I never planned to have a life-changing spinal cord injury OR a life-changing scuba experience, but Craig Hospital helped me with both.  I could never have foreseen the incredible experiences that were in my future when agreeing to go on a scuba outing.  A simple somersault the first time underwater at A-1 Scuba & Travel Center with 'Discover Scuba' convinced me to explore this adventure more.  Now I've done 54 dives with my wife and traveled to amazing places. The donors of Craig Hospital introduced me to a world of adventure beyond my injury."

Gary Epping (C4/5 Quad)
Craig Graduate '75
Wilsonville, OR

It was a really awesome experience I gained some self-confidence with being underwater and being a blind person.  Everybody should do it.

Selena

Scott Webster transfer to boat

 

"The only limits we have are the limits we put on ourselves. Somebody who's disabled can do anything they can put their minds to."

Tom Isaac, C5 Quad

Scott Webster transfer to boat

 

Whether you’re in a wheelchair or not, you don’t know what you can do unless you just try it.”

Scott Webster (Incomplete quad)

Dave Hosick underwater at a wreck

 

“Once you’re in the water, there’s no issues of accessibility, there’s no steps to worry about.”

Dave Hosick (PADI Advanced Diver and C-6 quad)

Dave Farrell

 

"It gives me the joy that I got out of the other things I did. I get back to the same kind of happiness I had before."

David Farrell & his wife Alyssa marked the one year anniversary of his injury while on the 2006 Cayman Brac trip.

“Thanks so much for opening our eyes to new possibilities for adventure & fun we can have together throughout our lifelong journey”
Brent Barribeau & Jen Bolka (engaged on our Bonaire 2007 trip!)

Dear Scott,

I really wanted to tell you how much I enjoyed being able to dive in the pool with the Craig Hospital staff and volunteers. There was some miscommunication or misunderstanding on my part of how these sessions operate. Nonetheless, Carol, Jack, and the other volunteers stayed late to get me in the water. I showed Carol my old certification card, and she commented that she had never seen one printed on papyrus. I had to confess that I first learned to dive by sucking air through a reed.

Seriously, while I enjoyed the pool time very much, the prospect of possibly diving with my family means a great deal to me. While I hope that we might train next spring and go on the next June trip, we need to see what happens with the Swine Flu, and progression of my MS.. All I can say for now is that I want very much to join you on the HSA trip next June. Please send me information about that trip when you have decided what to do.

Please convey to Carol Jack and the others my great appreciation. They're wonderful people. Thanks again to you for your support and involvement in HSA.

Sincerely yours,
Tom Smith

Handicapped Scuba Association

 

  
 
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