Making Possibilities for Disabilities

2009 Luau Success!

Erica and the girls get their groove on during the Luau.

Rotary Club of Naperville Hosts Diveheart Wine Tasting Fundraiser

Rotarians from the Naperville Rotary, Downers Grove Rotary, and Darien Rotary came together Thursday November 12th at the Distinctive Cork in Naperville for a Wine pairing fundraiser to benefit Diveheart.  Art Davis, Pat Merryweather & Distinctive Cork owner Scott Davis of the Naperville Rotary coordinated the event.  The event raised $5,000 and was matched by Naperville Rotary Charities for an incredible donation for Diveheart.   

Scott Taylor (right) talks with Jim Michel of the Dowers Grove Rotary at the Distinctive cork fundraiser for Diveheart Thursday night.

Ericka Remington and Rick Olson were guests at the Distinctive Cork fundraiser for Diveheart.  Remington, who is blind and deaf, is tactually signing with Olson who is totally blind.   Both will be joining Diveheart on a life changing scuba adventure to Cozumel Mexico December 2-8.

Naval Station Great Lakes Continues its Disabled Dive Training

 Naval Station Great Lakes is again the location for Diveheart Military Wounded buddy and instructor training November 11th.  The young trainees are learning to work with veterans with disabilities so they will be able to learn to fly underwater through scuba. 

HALL OF FAME For Divers with Disabilities Announces Inductees

Jim Gatacre (L) and Cody Unser receive Hall of Fame certificates from Diveheart president and Hall of Fame Founder Jim Elliott at the 2009 DEMA  (Diving Equipment Marking Association) show in Orlando Florida November 4-7.   The Hall of Fame for Divers with Disabilities recognized Gatacre and Unser for their outstanding contributions to the furtherance and support of scuba diving for individuals with disabilities.  Gatacre is the Founder of the Handicapped Scuba Association  and Unser the Founder of the Cody Unser First Step Foundation.   Not shown but also recognized as inaugural inductees to the Hall of Fame are Jacques Cousteau who invented one of the original forms of scuba diving while suffering from a disability and Matt Johnston, the only ventilator dependant diver in the world. Also not shown is Hall of Fame president William Bogdan.   Profiles of inductees, a membership application and more can be found on the Hall of Fame website.  All proceeds from the Hall of Fame are dedicated to scholarships for individuals with disabilities as they pursue continued education and career paths in scuba diving and related areas such as marine biology, oceanography and underwater engineering.