Kyle's Testimonial

Kyle getting some sun
before his dive

I can't begin to explain how awesome it feels to get in the water and be free. I never dove prior to my accident so I don't know how great it is to dive as an able-bodied diver, but I can definitely say as a disabled diver that it is unbelievable.

I am a pretty active person and try not to let my disability limit what I can or can't do. But whatever activity it is I do, I am always doing it from my wheelchair and many times not performing it as effectively as I would like. Scuba diving is an activity that gives me so much pleasure, because after I am assisted into the water, I can pretty much go where I want. I don't recall running into any curbs or steep ramps underwater! Sure I don't swim as fast as the other guys, but when you're in an environment like caribbean waters, what's the hurry?

Kyle swimming underwater

As a former athlete and now a teacher/coach, I constantly see how important self-confidence is to a person's success. And this is equally important in all parts of life as it is in competitive sports. I truly believe that accomplishing something like scuba diving helps give me more self-confidence and has helped me perform better in other areas of my life. Diving has become so fun that it seems incredibly simple and easy. But to stop and analyze what is being done makes you realize that it is truly amazing.

As a C6/7-quadriplegic, I have limited use of my arms and hands and have no muscle function below chest level! Yet there I was almost 100 feet underwater swimming independently with all kinds of creatures (including my dive buddies J). And I could look around and see 6 or 7 other people with disabilities that feel the same I do. We are extremely lucky people to have been introduced to this sport.

The Eels on Wheels has made all of this possible for me and many others. I am definitely more confident as a diver after these trips. I haven't missed an Eels trip yet! I hope to continue working on my skills and become an even better diver.

Kyle Walsh