DIVEHEART AND THE ADAPTING TO DIVE DOCUMENTARY PREMIERE
DOWNERS GROVE–For over twenty years, Jim Elliot, Founder and President of Diveheart, and his organization have revolutionized rehabilitation and physical therapy for disabled youth, adults and veterans by utilizing adaptive scuba diving.
Diveheart hosts scuba experience pool programs and adaptive scuba trips for divers and their teams all over the world, as well as helps facilitate scuba therapy research with several university medical centers. “The weightless wonder of water gives wheelchair users and others with disabilities freedom from gravity where their chronic pain has been known to evaporate,” says Jim. “Through these programs, participants develop confidence, independence, and self-esteem, as well as other physical and psychological benefits.”
Last December, filmmaker David Marsh and his brother Scott traveled with Jim and the Diveheart organization on an adaptive scuba adventure to Cozumel, Mexico to film eight adaptive divers, five wheelchair users and their teams. However, the original film’s focus took a surprise twist, when Marsh’s son overdosed and died at his home just a week before he was to go on the trip. After having already done all the background research on the adaptive divers, Marsh made the tough decision to still embark.
The project, Adapting to Dive, turned into the filmmaker’s journey and how he learned from those divers with disabilities to cope with loss, fear, depression and adapting to your new normal. On May 18, as a red-carpet event, Diveheart will showcase the world premiere of this new documentary at the Tivoli theatre in downtown Downers Grove. The premiere will include a screening of two shorter pieces that were created earlier by other filmmakers, the showing of Adapting to Dive and then questions and answers with David Marsh and the audience. Everyone is invited, and you can get your tickets at www.events.eventgroove.com/event/Adapting-To-Dive-A-Deveheart-Documentary-Premiere-61237
“Each adaptive diver is inspiring to those around him or her,” says Jim. “Their stories and experience create a ripple effect for people of all abilities to imagine the possibilities in their own lives.” Diveheart’s long term goal is to build adaptive pool facilities around the world, so they could serve many more individuals with disabilities.
If you are interested in more information or for volunteer opportunities, visit www.diverheart.org
ABOUT THE WRITER
Mindy Kyle is passionate about helping people discover what brings them joy and to live a full, healthy and happy life. She has her Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from DePaul University and is a veteran of Chicago’s theater and commercial world as well as a graduate of the Second City Improv School. Mindy lives in Naperville with her husband, three children and the cutest dog in the land.
