News
Father And Daughter Lead Wounded Warrior Diving Program
A father and daughter have teamed up to help give back to members of the United States military through their program Diving with Heroes.
Joe Brickey and Jill Hottel started the program as a way to help wounded veterans regain their lost sense of mobility via diving.
On their most recent trip to the Cayman Islands, several veterans talked about how the experience had given them an opportunity to do things in a way now limited on the surface.
“I may have limits on what I can do above water, but while diving there is nothing I cannot do,” said Marine Staff Sgt. Jade Sharrocks, who was wounded by a suicide bomber in Haditha, Iraq.
According to the group, the ultimate goal isn’t just to give the wounded vets a momentary reprieve, but to encourage them to carry that feeling and the drive that got them there into their everyday lives.
Brickey serves as chairman and CEO of Integrity Applications Incorporated, a company headquartered in Virginia that serves the software and engineering needs of companies, typically in civil engineering, defense, or the intelligence community.
The company, which Brickey co-founded in 1999, employs 600 people across the US and has a foundation which has a long history of supporting veteran-related activities and groups.
A 2013 meeting led to foundation members wanting to expand the reach further, which lead to the concept of Diving with Heroes.
“Diving with Heroes is a more targeted approach that we came up with to recognize the contributions of military personnel and military veterans who have sacrificed for our freedom,” said Brickey. “It emerged from a desire to serve these heroes and build a community where rehabilitation could take place.”
For her part, Hottel says her inspiration for the group came from her aunt, Janice Brickey.
Hottel explained that her aunt has been confined to a wheelchair due to paraplegia for as long as she’s known her, but that she skis and took her hand-pedaled bicycle forty miles the first time she rode it.
“A physical, mental or social disability doesn’t have to be a setback,” said Hottel. “My aunt’s example encouraged me to reach out to disabled veterans and help them explore the world beneath the waves.”
Source: tntoday.utk.edu
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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