DENVER, Colo. (July 5, 2010) – Cody Unser, daughter of the legendary Unser racing family, will show disabled veterans that scuba diving is accessible for people of all abilities during her visit to the Mile High City for the National Veterans Wheelchair Games. Unser, who is paralyzed due to Transverse Myelitis, and has been an honorary member of the Paralyzed Veterans of America (PVA) since January 2010, will join Downtown Aquarium’s Scott Taylor to demonstrate her adaptive scuba program, Operation Deep Down, with disabled veterans.

Cody Unser wants people to understand that Scuba Diving is a sport for all types of abilities and can be very therapeutic. The Cody Unser First Step Foundation’s main quality of life program is not only helping people with disabilities to get their Scuba Diving certification, it is also to train certified diving instructors to further their diving education and become Handicap Scuba Association Instructors. Most of the people her foundation certifies, or conducts demonstrations with, describe Scuba Diving as a completely liberating experience; including Unser who adds, “It’s all about freedom down there [under the water]. Freedom from the [wheel]chair, freedom from gravity, freedom from your mind…as soon as your in the water everyone is on the same level.”
The Cody Unser First Step Foundation’s Operation Deep Down has been tirelessly training injured veterans to give them a sense of independence from their conditions since before their partnership with the PVA began. To spread the word about the program, approximately five veterans, one honorary member of the PVA, Unser, and their dive buddies will be involved in the demonstration lead by fellow veteran and HSA Course Director Scott Taylor, of Denver’s Downtown Aquarium.
Cody Unser and her dive buddy Beaux Barfield will be accompanied by Scott Taylor. Unser and Taylor, a former physical therapist and owner of A-1 Scuba and Travel Center, have a special relationship…

Al Kovach, National Vice President of the PVA, was paralyzed when he was a former US Navy SEAL leaving him a quadriplegic. Kovach hadn’t been scuba diving for 17 years and never thought he would be able to experience the feeling of weightlessness and freedom again until he met Unser and partnered with CUFSF.
Jim Hay, Vietnam veteran and paraplegic, will be diving with his wife, Jeri Hay and son, Donald. Hay, who was certified in March 2009, hopes to eventually become an HSA Instructor and help people with disabilities enjoy the sport. His wife, Jeri, and son, Donald, are also certified. Hay claims scuba diving allows them to, “be on the same playing field.”

Jeffery Scanlon was involved in an auto accident while on leave while serving the US Army. He was left with a cervical spinal cord injury and is considered an incomplete quadriplegia. In 2003 he was scuba certified. Being scuba since 2003 has enabled him to, “fulfill [his] quest for adventure and experience the freedom of movement.”
Dave Hosick, and Army veteran, was injured several years ago while playing rugby, leaving him a quadriplegic. Dave was the first diver with a disability to dive at the Downtown Aquarium and is one of the only disabled PADI Master Scuba Divers in the country.

The Cody Unser First Step Foundation is a global not-for-profit organization dedicated to raising research funds, public awareness and quality of life for those afflicted with all forms of spinal cord-related paralysis. The Foundation will also address the cause, rehabilitation, prevention and cure for Transverse Myelitis, and freely affiliate with other medical, charitable and corporate entities to achieve these goals.
For additional information, articles, media or promotional materials concerning the news in this release, contact Chelsea Reaves or visit www.codysfirststep.org.
Contact:
Chelsea Reaves, Dir. of Communications
The Cody Unser First Step Foundation
951.756.2834
chelsea@cufsf.org
Shelley Unser, President
The Cody Unser First Step Foundation
505.792.9551
shelley@cufsf.org