Welcome to the first installment of Healing Dives with PFDD. In this ongoing series, we’ll introduce you to the injured veterans whose lives were improved through scuba diving. In this issue, we sat down with Scott V., a US Army veteran from Texas, to discuss his experience with Patriots for Disabled Divers. Scott’s journey with PFDD began 20 years after his service in the military, which left him with lingering physical trauma and navigating depression and anxiety. Through PFDD’s scuba diving programs, Scott found a new lease on life, regained a lost sense of freedom, and found a supportive community. In this article, we will delve into Scott’s story, his introduction to PFDD, and the impact of diving on his quality of life.
The Fall That Started It All
On September 26th, 2020, Scott went hunting. Twelve years in the Airborne had done a number on his joints, and even 18 years later, pain in his back and knees still haunted him. However, the anxiety and depression that followed his exiting the service were his biggest concerns. These troubled him often, and he had found the peace of hunting and fishing to be the easiest way to settle his thoughts.
He was setting up a blind 25 feet in the air when his back and knees gave out. Scott remembers the moment he realized he was going to fall and the sudden impending doom of it. He does not remember the 37 minutes he lay next to the tree talking to 911 as the rescuers searched for him. “I remember somebody whispered in my ear that they wanted to get life flight in here, but they can’t fly, so this was gonna be a long, painful ride.” The fall left Scott paralyzed. He lost all feeling and control of everything below the belly button.
Scott V Finds Support in PFDD
Scott was in and out of the hospital for the rest of 2020, but “around March time frame 2021, [he] started feeling like [himself] again.” With strong family support, Scott began feeling out his new normal. Without the peace of hunting, he struggled to control the anxiety and depression that his accident exacerbated.
In 2022, he found PFDD through Move United. After applying to our program, he received a call from our executive director, Bob Taradash, who personally encouraged him to pursue scuba diving certification. This invitation resonated with Scott. Scuba diving had long been an interest of his, but like many, he’d never made the time. After paralysis, he thought that ship had sailed. Now, he was offered the opportunity to make his dream a reality.
Scott admitted to experiencing waves of nervousness throughout the program. The initial idea stirred some anxiety. Then, his first day on the pool deck left him wondering how diving would even be possible. However, the instruction he received put all that worry to rest. Scott said of the affiliate dive center, “There was a level of compassion, instruction, concern, and friendship that was like, ‘let’s work through this together.’ It was a collaboration. I hadn’t known that for a long time.”
Ultimately, Scott completed his PADI Open Water Diver certification, joined us for a dive in the Georgia Aquarium, and even certified as an Advanced Open Water Diver. As of this writing, Scott is currently gaining dive experience with the goal of becoming a PADI Divemaster.
The Healing Power of Diving
Scott’s first dip into the pool as part of his scuba diving training was a mix of nervousness and excitement. “Going into it, I was extremely nervous because this was the most advanced activity I had done other than pushing my wheelchair or trying to climb back up in my chair after I fell on the floor.” As a wheelchair user, he worried about how the skills and equipment would work for him. However, these concerns vanished after his first breaths underwater.
He found himself in a weightless, pain-free environment devoid of the struggles that often plagued his daily life. “[It was] liberating, man. Just sheer freedom. Freedom of mind. Freedom of my heart. Freedom of movement.” This liberation allowed him to concentrate solely on the skills and tasks, effectively shutting out negative thoughts and anxieties. The weightlessness and teamwork of diving immersed him in a holistic healing experience that extended far beyond the scenery. Underwater, Scott found peace, comfort, and clarity.
Rebuilding a Sense of Identity
Scott’s journey with PFDD was more the physical activity of scuba diving. It became a means to reconnect with a community and the camaraderie he cherished. The structure and mission-oriented mentality of diving filled a void created when he left the military. By tapping into these mental and emotional aspects, scuba diving became an avenue for self-empowerment and personal growth.
The Lifelong Impact of PFDD
As Scott’s interview came to a close, he emphasized the life-altering nature of the PFDD’s programs. “It’s a life changer,” he said. Beyond the act of scuba diving itself, PFDD provides a sense of purpose, a feeling of being valued, and a member of a community. His experience echoed the sentiments of many PFDD participants who are reinvigorated and supported through this transformative journey.
Scott’s story serves as a potent reminder of the incredible impact that diving has on the lives of veterans facing physical disabilities and mental health challenges. Through PFDD, Scott rediscovered his empowerment, found a supportive community, and experienced the healing power of the underwater world. As we reflect on his journey, may we all be inspired to support more healing divers like Scott. To donate to our programs or learn more about PFDD, contact us online or by email at jeff@patriotsfordisableddivers.org.