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
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Renowned anti-whaling activist Paul Watson has been released from custody in Greenland after spending five months in detention. Denmark’s Justice Ministry rejected Japan’s request for his extradition, citing insufficient guarantees that his time already served in custody would be credited against any potential sentence.
The 74-year-old Canadian-American was arrested on July 21 in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, when his ship docked to refuel. His arrest was based on a 2012 Japanese warrant related to a 2010 encounter in Antarctic waters. Japan alleged Watson obstructed operations and caused damage to a whaling research ship during efforts to disrupt illegal whaling. Watson has consistently denied these claims, maintaining his commitment to marine conservation.
Denmark, which oversees extradition matters for Greenland, concluded that while the legal conditions for extradition were met, the lack of assurances from Japan regarding time-served credit made extradition untenable.
In a video shared by his foundation, Watson expressed gratitude and relief, saying, “After five months, it’s good to be out… and good to know they’re not sending me to Japan.” He added that the most difficult part of his time in custody was being separated from his two young sons.
Watson is a pioneering figure in marine conservation, known for founding the Captain Paul Watson Foundation in 2022 after decades of activism with the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. His bold efforts to defend marine life have earned him widespread support, including from celebrities and conservationists. His work has also been featured in the acclaimed reality TV series Whale Wars.
Watson’s lawyer, Jonas Christoffersen, praised the decision, stating, “We are happy and relieved that Paul Watson is now free.” He added that Watson is eager to reunite with his family and continue his vital work.
The arrest occurred while Watson’s vessel, the M/Y John Paul DeJoria, was en route to the North Pacific with a team of 26 volunteers to intercept a Japanese whaling ship. His foundation described the arrest as politically motivated and emphasized that Watson’s actions were focused on ending illegal whaling practices.
Japan resumed commercial whaling in 2019 after leaving the International Whaling Commission, asserting that whale meat is a cultural tradition. Conservationists, however, continue to challenge these practices, highlighting their impact on marine ecosystems.
Despite the challenges, Watson remains steadfast in his mission to protect marine life and bring attention to whaling practices. His dedication to ocean conservation has made him a globally respected advocate for the environment.
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