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.…
Adam Hood A motorcycle accident in 2007 changed the life of Adam Hood, but not his adventurous spirit. Previously, before the accident, Adam was a welder. Now, he is into wood turning. Also, Adam is a member of a water ski team. He is anxious to try scuba diving, something he always wanted to do…
Matt Lurvey Tony Lurvey, brother of Matt Lurvey, heard people talking about The Dive Pirates at Mammoth Lake (good news travels fast!). Then, he called Matt to see if he wanted to go scuba diving. Of course he said yes, Matt’s spinal cord injury caused quadriplegia from a motorcycle accident in 2004.
Ron Cantagallo Retired Corporal, USMC, Ron Cantagallo served as a Marine in the armed forces. A trained paratrooper, scheduled to deploy to Vietnam, struck by a car accident causing paraplegia. Ron’s brother will be his dive buddy.
John Kennedy Retired US Army Specialist, John Kennedy, proudly served in the United States Army. In 2004, doctors diagnosed him with multiple sclerosis. He works very hard to keep his mobility, using a walker or cane when possible, and a power chair to reserve strength on outings. John’s wife Bridgett is training to be John’s…
Damien Davis Staff Sergeant Damien Davis dedicated 16 years to the US Army. He worked as a truck driver in Korea, to a recruiter in Alaska, to a tour in Kuwait. Now, he’s working through the effects of Buerger’s disease. The loss of circulation to arms and legs due to inflammation in the arteries. With…
Michael Malarsie Senior Airman Michael Malarsie, still active duty in the air force, serves in San Antonio, TX. While on foot patrol in Iraq, an IED blasted him off a bridge and into the water. Michael lost his sight and suffered some shrapnel injuries. In honor of those in his patrol that died that day…
Stephen Evans Stephen Evans was a medic serving in Iraq when a fellow soldier stepped on an EFP. Evans suffered from the impact. In fact, the shrapnel injured his left leg and face, leaving him with a frozen ankle and locked foot. He strives to be active and hopes to enjoy scuba thanks to the…