Medical Condition

Matthew Trull

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.

Ron Cantagallo

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.

Bryan Estvanko

Bryan Estvanko Bryan Estvanko just finished his Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, about to start is Master’s Degree, when he crashed his dirt bike. The accident resulted in him an becoming an incomplete paraplegic. Four years later, Bryan completed his Masters in Structural Engineering. Currently, he works for the Army Corp of Engineers in New…

Jason Geiser

Jason Geiser Jason Geiser spent nine years in the US Navy, spending time as an Interior Communications Electrician while at sea. Also, as a teacher of survival school he spent time stateside. After leaving the military, in 2008, he became a police officer. Unfortunately, a motorcycle accident caused his paraplegia.

Sean Ryan

Sean Ryan Petty Officer Sean Ryan had a very successful career in the Navy, spending  many of those years in special ops.  After leaving the service he suffered a gunshot wound to the chest at point blank range, causing paraplegia. He loves to swim and keeps in shape, a father of three children who strives…

Shawn Thompson

Shawn Thompson In 2010, Shawn Thompson received his motorcycle license. Sliding off the road on his first ride, the accident resulted in paraplegia. He took some scuba in college but never got certified. His wife Nicole supports him as his dive buddy on this new adventure.

Jimmy Cruz

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).

Daniel Burney

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.

Roger Nelson

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.

Max Faistenhammer

Max Faistenhammer Police Officer Max Faistenhammer, known for his athletic and adventurous spirit, suffered a motorcycle accident. The accident left him paralyzed from the chest down, but this does not slow him down. Previously certified by Capital City Scuba in Lansing, MI, Max now enjoys diving along with four-wheeling and boating.