Our Divers
Allen
“I was hurt May 12, 2018. I had a bicycle accident while training alone for the Ironman World Championships, broke 4 vertebrae in my neck and suffered a spinal cord injury at the C4 level. I was able to come back from zero movement to becoming ambulatory, and my wife and I moved to South Florida. Shortly after moving here, I met several groups of people helping others with disabilities to learn how to scuba dive. I now have well over 100 dives and hold advanced open water and nitrox certification.
Diving has opened up a whole new world, along with an incredible group of people to my life. Weightlessness at depth is an opportunity for my body to stop struggling against gravity while being active and social.
Isolation and inactivity are harsh realities for many people with disabilities, but it doesn't have to be.”
Christina “C”
“I was born with Cerebral Palsy and actively engaged in numerous adaptive sports and therapies over the years. In 2014, I was introduced to diving by a childhood friend and has since become an avid diver with over 350 dives in various locations across Florida, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. I have a strong commitment to the development of the adaptive dive industry and avidly work as a diver, educator, and accessibility advocate; I always take the opportunity to speak publicly about my experiences, hoping to inspire others to follow in my footsteps. Although I have faced many challenges, I know I have found my true calling in life.”
Sabrina
“My name is Sabrina, my journey began back in 2022 when I received my certification under the guidance of Brad Gagas, right here at Thresher Aquatics.
With the help of Thresher Aquatics, I have embarked on a series of incredible underwater adventures, exploring the mysteries of the deep and encountering the breathtaking marine life that inhabits it. From vibrant coral reefs to an exhilarating shark dive, each dive has been a transformative experience for me.
Scuba diving has a profound impact on my mental and physical health. Through the support of the dedicated team at Thresher Aquatics, I have not only honed my diving skills but also discovered a newfound sense of confidence and resilience both underwater and on land. Before discovering the joy of diving, I struggled with chronic pain and limited mobility due to my disability. However, through the therapeutic benefits of scuba diving, I have experienced a remarkable transformation. Scuba diving has not only alleviated much of her chronic pain but has also improved my mobility and control over my legs, allowing me to move with greater ease and comfort. The underwater environment provides a unique sense of freedom and weightlessness, offering relief from the pressures and constraints of everyday life for people like me with disabilities. There is nothing better than the healing power of the ocean.”
Benedict
“Being born in Germany, living in Brazil, and moving to the US; my family and I love adventure and experiencing the world from different angles. During my senior year of High school I was diagnosed with spinal cancer. This put my adventures on hold and I spent the majority of my time in and out of the hospital unsure of how my life would change. Luckly I was able to recover; however, it became clear that I would be wheelchair bound. At that point I wasn’t sure how I could keep exploring the world, but I was surprised to find a very supportive community which showed me an entirely new world of sports and hobbies. I realized that at the end of the day not much had changed. During my therapy sessions my therapist, Erin, encouraged me to try scuba diving which opened my eyes to a whole new world which I have never even thought of exploring. Such a colorful and exciting world that feels like you are on a whole different planet. From then on I have kept on diving Including up here in Orlando were I am part of the UCF scuba club.”
Rob
“32+ years ago I became a T10 paraplegic from a motorcycle accident. I love the outdoors, including handcycling, sailing and almost anything water related. When I was given the opportunity to get certified with Thresher Aquatics I was reluctant at first, but now I am thrilled to get any chance to dive. I love to see God's creation while being able to breathe under water and am usually the last one back on the boat. My first trip to Bimini was in May of 2023 and I am looking forward to going again this May with the Thresher Family”