Robert Burke Shelton Robert Burke Shelton spent 10 years serving our country in the US Army, deployed to Operation Iraqi Freedom. In 2003, during a night mission to support ground troops by air, the helicopter he was riding in crashed, breaking is back, leg, ankle, hand…I think you get the picture! Burke is blessed to…
Jimmy Cruz Jimmy Cruz joins us from Lubbock, TX. A natural athlete growing up in West Texas, Jimmy was 16 when a pole vaulting accident caused his paraplegia. Now a lab tech assistant at Family Health Care Associates, Jimmy works with Dr. Jane Scott (DPF recipient of 2010).
Jerry Hamilton Jerry Hamilton starting his military career in 1995, deployed to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan as a pilot. Eventually, shrapnel from a nearby rocket explosion broke his leg and frayed his sciatic nerve. In fact, his injuries continue to affect his ability to walk. Now enjoying his water therapy, diving will be a natural…
Daniel Burney Lance Corporal Daniel Burney was a helicopter mechanic in the Marine Corp when he had a major car accident on base fractured his back, causing paraplegia. He now lives in Kerrville, TX, gearing up to join the pirates on the 2013 trip.
Shane Bliss Army Specialist Shane Bliss, training for deployment suffered severe foot, knee and back injuries during a landslide. While struggling through surgeries and recovery, he honorably served at Arlington National Cemetery. Also he regularly marched in funerals.
A ray of sunshine, Rio Popper is completely blind due to retinoblastoma. Her parents love diving, and Rio really took to her “try scuba” with our Northern California Chapter. She really looks forward to diving.
Travis Sigmon While on foot patrol looking for insurgents, a fellow soldier stepped on an IED, and Corporal Travis Sigmon took most of the blast. Waking up from a coma without his arm, and suffering other injuries from shrapnel, he returned home for recovery. Now he’s on a mission to be a Dive Pirate.
Marlene Krpata Captain Marlene Krpata was a leg limb salvage after suffering a mortar attack while serving in Iraq. In 2011, she decided to amputate her leg below the knee. Since her amputation she has been back playing softball and running around with her nieces and nephew. Swimming in the ocean has had a calming…
Matt Richardson Sergeant Matt Richardson entered the infantry in 2006. Two years later Matt deployed to Iraq. After being in country for only 3 months, acting as Infantry Squad Leader, Matt became a casualty of friendly fire. He was on a mission near Sadr, Iraq. Matt now lives in Florida.
Roger Nelson Serving as a big crane operator, Army Specialist Roger Nelson, a car accident on post left him paralyzed. The accident broke his back, causing paraplegia. A lifelong swimmer, he misses the water since his accident. However, he looks forward to getting out of his chair and enjoy the ocean blue.