DiveBar brings scuba to persons with disabilities
JUAN CARLOS GILL, left, was born a blind paraplegic. Karen Mitchell, right, became a partial quadriplegic after a spinal cord injury. Yet, the two friends embarked on an all-expense paid trip to Cozumel to enjoy a sport most would consider beyond their capabilities: scuba diving. The Underwater Bar Association (DiveBar) paired up with the Diveheart Foundation, which builds confidence and independence in people with disabilities through scuba diving, to fundraise the cost of the trip. The DiveBar raised the money through its “Putting Something Back–Scuba Style” program. Gill and Mitchell are known as “adaptive divers” who became part of Diveheart and were taught to dive despite their physical limitations. Also pictured are Jim Elliot, president of Diveheart, presenting a certificate of appreciation to DiveBar member Bob Kelley.
