Courtney Mazzola Courtney Mazzola has been blind since birth, and perceives some movement and light. She loves the ocean and can’t wait to feel the open space of underwater. She never even thought about diving until friend and dive pirate Michael Malarsie convinced her to give it a try. Now she can’t wait!
An amazing young lady and accomplished gymnast, Avery Downing suffered a fall that caused a spinal cord injury. Now, even with paraplegia, she remains independent and drives herself. She loves a challenge and looks forward to diving.
Jean Paul Lauren Jean Paul Lauren, “JP” served in the United States Air Force in the 1970’s working in intelligence. Injured in 2006 while skydiving, he sustained multiple injuries causing paraplegia. Before his accident JP was a PADI certified open water diver and he’s thrilled to have the chance to try it again. He’s enjoyed…
Melissa Veale Melissa Veale works in the Spinal Cord Damage Research Center located at the Bronx VA Medical Center in Bronx, NY. As a teenager Melissa was enjoying a day in the park when she fell from the top of a gazebo. The fall caused a spinal cord injury resulting in paraplegia. Looking forward to…
When Charles Davis was 21 years old he was in a motorcycle accident, causing incomplete paralysis. Referred to as tetraplegia, he can use leg braces to get around short distances and needs a wheelchair when not at home. Charles runs the office for his business with his brother, an electrician. Their other passion is guns,…
Edward Monzu Edward Monzu lost his hearing when he was 15 months old and relies mostly on sign language for communication. Trained with an interpreter at DiVentures in Omaha, NE, he is now a classified open water diver. He works for the Air Force in Omaha.
Raymond Hernandez Retired Specialist E4, US Army, Raymond Hernandez. Ray served in the infantry from 1985-1988, stationed in Germany and Ft. Knox. After his military career, he suffered a gunshot wound causing a spinal cord injury, resulting in paraplegia. Healthy and active, he enjoys swimming and wheelchair tennis.
Emily Obert In short, Emily Obert is a product design engineer for the auto industry, a career that brought her to Michigan. Involved in other adaptive sports where she used to live, she started searching out opportunities online and found John Iszler and Capital City Scuba, a great Dive Pirates Chapter that has already sponsored…
Matthew Trull Matthew Trull found out about The Dive Pirates from some of his wife’s co-workers. He plans his training with our new chapter Rock Bottom Divers near Tampa, FL. In 1977, at 6 years old, a car struck Matt, crossing the road without looking both ways. The contusion caused paraplegia.
Jessica Smith In December 2012, Jessica Smith finished finals at the University of Arkansas. Shortly after, she fell ill and went to the emergency room. Thinking she just had flu, they treated her and sent her home. Shortly afterwards, her fiancé found her, extremities turning blue. Later, the doctor diagnosed her with a strep infection.…