Charity worker Iziani Hayati Abbas, who has been in a wheelchair for most of her life, had the opportunity to try new activities such as scuba diving. She participated in a discovery dive programme organized by non-profit organization Diveheart, along with volunteers and doctors. This programme was held for the first time in Kota Kinabalu on September 4 and 5. Iziani, who has spina bifida, joined a group of five individuals who learned how to scuba dive and tested their skills in open waters. She felt like she was “fine” and no different from anyone else when underwater, which was an emotional experience for her. On the first day, she got scared and had to be brought back to shore, but on the second day, she managed to dive about 3m down and saw some fish, which she described as a beautiful experience.
Lidwina Isidore Andilah, who became paralyzed from the waist down due to a fall when she was five years old, had always been into extreme sports. However, she had never approached anyone to participate in diving due to uncertainty about finding someone who can cater to her situation. Growing up with friends who went diving and swimming inspired her to try new things and step out of her comfort zone. She encouraged others in similar situations to not be afraid to try new activities and reminded them that they can do what others can do with a little help.
Participants in the dive programme required five to six volunteers each to assist them in getting out to sea, diving, and returning to shore. 26-year-old Nurizzati Zahidah Hasanudin expressed her happiness and excitement after her dive, stating that with the right trainers and guidance, people with disabilities can do much more than just sit in wheelchairs. Diveheart’s founder Jim Elliott, Borneo coordinator Ernest Teo, and Malaysia Diveheart ambassador Syed Abdul Rahman guided participants throughout the programme. According to Syed, Diveheart’s mission is to build confidence and independence in individuals with disabilities through scuba diving and related activities. They aim to instill a “can do” spirit and encourage participants to overcome their fears by showing them that if they can scuba dive, they can do anything. Seeing participants stand up for the first time underwater was a powerful experience for Elliott, as it helped them identify as divers rather than individuals with disabilities.
The programme was attended by over 40 volunteers, including medical students and officials, as well as Prof Dr Nazira Hasnan from Universiti Malaya and Dr Thor Ju An from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. The participants’ experiences are expected to inspire others and create a ripple effect, encouraging more people with disabilities to take on challenges and try new things.
Credit: The Star : News Feed
