Help Mx Ace (Elsa Maria) become a Scuba Diver

Hi, my name is Ace, and I am a powerchair user with cerebral palsy, which means that I am unable to walk independently. I am adopted and live with my mum and my twin sister who also has cerebral palsy

In spite of my challenges, the amazing team at Dive Rutland have created an environment where I feel safe and secure and I have completed the PADI Seal certification and have now started my training towards becoming a certified diver. Diving has helped me become physically stronger (my physiotherapist is very pleased with me!) and mentally stronger by completing a challenge that is not always possible for people with my disability.

This has been amazing as diving allows me to experience complete freedom of movement – something I can’t do on dry land. I never thought this would be possible and I can’t wait to get back in!

My ambition is to dive with fish and dolphins in their natural habitats, which means I need to do more training and get my Open Water qualification. The team at Dive Rutland has identified how I can achieve this with the right level of in-water professional help and expertise, many hours of theory work, as well as hours in the training pool. They have also managed to buy the specialist equipment I need such as a full-face mask and are working on a BCD (diving jacket) that I can inflate and deflate myself.

After all the hard work I will need to begin the open water part of the qualification, which is where things get tricky. The climate in the UK means it’s unsafe for me to dive in rivers or quarries here and I will need to go to warmer waters. Tracey and the team at Dive Rutland have hatched an ambitious plan for me to go to Roots Red Sea in Egypt to complete my Open Water qualification! However, because of my disability, I will need to take carers and helpers, as well as the adapted equipment, with me – something a neurotypical person would not need. This is why I’m asking you to consider making a contribution, small or large, to help me make this ambition possible.

Follow the journey at https://diverutland.com/blogs/news/dream-it-believe-it-achieve-it

#acescuba

#dreamitbelieveachieveit

#disabilitydiving

#cerebalpalsy