Diving with two young men
This is a copy of a post on some scuba bulletin boards here in Texas. Take a close look at the picture of the boys and remember how lucky we all are!
Trash Fest and Treasure Hunt, Tyler State Park
The new instructors and divemasters at the shop I teach at does a community service project each year. The project for the second year, is the Tyler State Park Trash Fest and Treasure Hunt.
Two things are accomplished, the lake is cleaned up by scuba divers, who get to do a treasure hunt to win prizes (current total $12,000 which includes mask, fins, snorkel, BC's, regulators, dive computers, bags and other gear), with proceeds going to the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital (which provides free medical care for children).
Last night I was given the opportunity to dive with two young men, Wayne and Jimbo both 9 yrs old. Both have received care from the Scottish Rite Hospital. Wayne was born without a right radius and with a vestigial right thumb without bone and with only four fingers on the left hand. He has had surgery to the left hand, creating a thumb with a finger (he has pincer grip now). Jimbo is near quadriplegic with only small gross movement of the arms. He is confined to a motorized wheelchair with sip/puff controller. He has had multiple treatments and surgery at the Scottish Rite Hospital. (see pictures here)
Helping these boys dive had a significant impact on me. They each snorkeled and briefly breathed off a regulator while swimming on the surface. But they had SCUBA DIVED! They got to experience that freedom of the water that all scuba divers must love, if only for a moment. Jimbo, I was told, slept with his new mask and snorkel last night.
This is what the trash fest is all about, helping kids who need it. Plus the lake gets cleaned up for the kids (and adults) who swim in it.
If you are not busy the weekend of June 3rd, come on to east Texas and scuba with us. If you are interested here is a link for more information Trash Fest 2006 Or you can contact Steve Lockhart here Scuba Steves Aquatic Adventures
Dean
posted by Dean Pennington II at 5/11/2006 01:19:00 PM
3 Comments:
Awesome, I'm glad you got the opportunity to share time with those boys. I have to say that I can't imagine not coaching and being involved with young people. Since we've been back from Germany I've been lucky enough to work with kids often(mine too) and they always suprise me with the things they come up with. Of course you do see the occassional wise ass, but I always go back because I enjoy smiling and growing with them. If you aren't involved in Scouts, ROTC, Scuba with ultra cool 9 yr olds, baseball, football soccer, civil air patrol or anything that gets you down there working with kids you are missing out! I know it might sound corny but I think Deano gets it! Right On Deaner!
My thoughts exactly...
I was the wrestling coach at Fort Knox High school for four years and I agree there is nothing more enjoyable then rolling around on the ground with a bunch of young, sweaty boys....hang on...what were we talking about?
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