News
DiveSTARS Teaches Scuba Diving To Disabled
For those who have a spinal cord injury, use a wheelchair, or have a developmental disability, things on land can be challenging; but an organization based in Kankakee, Illinois in the US is offering local disabled people a sense of freedom through adaptive diving.
“Our whole goal is to work with adaptive divers, whether they have some mental or physical challenges,” says nonprofit organisation DiveSTARS Founder Mike Milosovic.
Milosovic says DiveSTARS train people with all sorts of disabilities to become scuba divers. “We can work with quadriplegics, we can work with amputees, with people who have down syndrome.”
It’s a Sunday morning at Haigh Quarry in Kankakee and divers are making a splash as they train to learn new skills. 20-year-old Rikki Kirsch is considered mildly mentally impaired and struggles with her speech, but today she is training to become a certified scuba diver with DiveSTARS.
Kirsch works with her dive buddy Michelle Vrtis. After a quick buddy check she’s ready to go.
“When you’re underwater, everything goes away. The pain goes away and you forget about everything on land,” said Vrtis.
Kirsch has been training since June, and Vrtis says scuba has made all the difference.
“She has enjoyed it and she’s blossomed so much doing this. I love seeing things through her eyes.”
Rikki’s mother Chris watches from shore. She says it’s emotional as she sees her daughter’s disability on land turn into ability in the water.
“She’s a totally different person. It brings tears to my eyes every time,” says Chris.
For Rikki, learning to dive has given her confidence and a sense of purpose.
“It gives me confidence. I like it,” she says.
Milosovic says adaptive diving for the disabled offers them a new sense of freedom.
“It gives them a sense of self accomplishment that not a lot of people end up having.”
Rikki’s mom would agree.
“It’s the moment we had hoped to happen and now it has,” Chris says.
DiveSTARS is a non profit organization. To find out more about them, visit dive-stars.org.
Source: chicago.cbslocal.com
Last Thursday, Oyster Diving transformed Mercers Lake into a hauntingly unforgettable underwater realm for their inaugural Halloween Scuba Party. Approximately 20 intrepid divers plunged into the darkness, weaving through a mesmerising scene of spectral decorations, glow sticks, and eerie underwater pumpkins.
After the thrilling night dive, participants gathered to feast on a ghoulish spread of pumpkin soup, chilli con carne, and decadent fudge brownies, perfect fuel for the frightful festivities.
With a resounding success, Oyster Diving is excited to announce plans for this event to become an annual tradition. Next year, look forward to a fully licensed bar and live music, promising an even spookier celebration under the moonlit waters.
Join us next Halloween for an experience that promises to be a haunting delight!
Find out more about Oyster Diving at oysterdiving.com.
After a two-year tour of UK art galleries, community spaces and aquariums, the Shark Trust’s acclaimed Oceanic31 exhibition takes its final bow at the Royal Geographical Society later this month. And the unique collection of artwork, depicting 31 species of oceanic sharks and rays, donated by 31 artists, is now open for bids from art lovers and shark enthusiasts. The online auction, launched today, will close on the 7th December at 8pm (BST). The money raised will support the Shark Trust Oceanics Programme.
People can now bid on 27 of the artworks by visiting this website:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
It is a chance to own a beautiful piece of original art and to support the Shark Trust. The timing of the auction also means that these would make a very special Christmas gift for any shark-lover.
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- Bigeye Thresher Shark by Janina Rossiter
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- Carcharodon carcharias by Jimmy Higgs
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- Croc VR 2030 by Tom Mead
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- Oceanic Whitetip by ATM
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- Silky Street by ScapaJoe
The diversity of pieces mirrors that of the sharks and rays they represent. You can bid on paintings, digital creations, sculptures, mixed media and more. You can pick your favourite artist or species of shark. Or you can select the perfect artwork to make a statement in your home or office. Whichever you choose, you will be supporting the work to protect these amazing animals.
One of the pieces of art has been selected to be auctioned live by Steve Backshall at the For the Love of Sharks event at the Royal Geographical Society in London on the 29th November. In addition to this, two further pieces will be raffled at this event, giving people a chance to win an incredible piece of shark art. For the Love of Sharks is the Shark Trust’s flagship evening. A night to celebrate sharks. Steve Backshall is the headline speaker at this event that will see other prominent shark advocates join him on stage.
Tickets for the event can be snapped up here:
https://thesharktrust.org.uk/Event/flos24
Those that would like to see the Oceanic 31 exhibition have one final chance. It is being displayed at the Pavilion at the Royal Geographic Society from 26th November until the 7th December. Entry is free.
Find out more here:
https://www.rgs.org/events/upcoming-events/oceanic-31
Paul Cox, Shark Trust CEO, Said “This exhibition has given us the opportunity to reach out to a new audience. And inspire more people with the wonderful sharks and rays on which our Big Shark Pledge campaign is based. We are immensely grateful to the 31 artists who have worked so hard to create these works.”
Bid for your favourite Oceanic 31 artwork here:
https://superstars-auctions.com/sharktrustauction
Banner Image: Smooth Hammerhead by Alicia Hayden
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