(NU) - One might not think thatsomeone with no arms and no legscould swim, much less scuba dive,but with the help of one non-profitorganization based in theChicagoland area, children, veter-ans and people of all abilitiesaround the world can benefit fromzero gravity and scuba therapy. The Downers Grove-based Di-veheart Foundation has been serv-ing individuals with everythingfrom spinal cord injuries and trau-matic brain injuries to those on theautism spectrum and with post-traumatic stress disorder. Since 2001, this 501 C3, vol-unteer-driven charity has doneeverything from helping to facili-tate cutting-edge scuba therapy re-search with university medicalcenters around the country tolaunching a leading internationaladaptive scuba training programfor scuba instructors, dive buddiesand adaptive divers (Diveheartrefers to people with disabilities asadaptive divers, not handicappedor disabled divers). “It’s not about scuba diving,”according to Tinamarie Hernan-dez, Diveheart Executive Director. “Diveheart’s ultimate goal is totake the unrealized human poten-tial that exists with individualswith disabilities and create a par-adigm shift in their lives,” she says. “We take Chris in the wheel-chair and help him or her becomeChris the scuba diver. Now Chrisis no longer defined by his or herdisability,” she adds. “Diveheart then helps directthem to activities like coral reefrestoration, marine biology andoceanography, giving them focus,purpose and helping them to feelvalued while they are learning tobecome good stewards of the en-vironment.”

Diveheart’s free scuba experi-ence programs reach from coast tocoast in the U.S. and are replicatedby Diveheart teams as far away asMalaysia. Researchers from around thecountry have found that the bene-fits of scuba therapy and zero grav-ity underwater range from relief ofsymptoms caused by post-traumat-ic stress disorder and chronic painto increased focus and a sense ofwell-being in those with develop-mental disabilities. Researchers have also discov-ered that there are big benefits ingoing deep because the body pro-duces an extra output of serotoninonce divers reach 66 feet underwa-ter. However, those with develop-mental and physical disabilitiescan benefit from the very first poolsession. Diveheart’s ultimate goal is tosecure funding to build a deepwarm-water research and trainingfacility so that the benefits of scubatherapy can be replicated in a safe,confined, warm-water environ-ment. More information on Diveheartand scuba therapy can be found atwww.diveheart.org 

No Arms, No Legs, NoWorries

HEALTH

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