Success Stories
Here we highlight a few of the many adaptive divers and dive buddies that have gone through DAD program. We invite you to watch and hear their stories of transformation, achievement, and the joy of diving.
Each story reflects the dedication, resilience, and courage of individuals working with DAD. Whether it’s overcoming physical disabilities or facing mental and emotional hurdles, adaptive divers prove that the ocean is a place for everyone.
Tyler & Crystal Wilson
While serving in Afghanistan, Tyler was shot multiple times, and became a T8 paraplegic. He and his wife Crystal discuss training with DAD, and how diving has greatly reduced Tyler’s back pain. Through DAD, Tyler became a Classified Diver, and Crystal became a Classified Dive Buddy.
“When I’m diving and even after I’m out of the water, I’m at a zero out of ten. So that’s the biggest thing for me with diving – it’s completely alleviated pretty much all of my back pain.”
—Tyler Wilson
Michael Borris & Mike Borris Sr.
Michael is a T9 paraplegic who found the DAD program through Craig Hospital. Michael and his father Mike Sr. completed dive training with DAD, and joined one of our trips to Cayman Brac. Michael became a Classified Diver, and Mike Sr. became a Classified Dive Buddy.
“The sense of being grounded as a paraplegic or quadriplegic isn’t the greatest feeling in the world, so finally getting a sense of weightlessness is definitely a nice one…to anyone at Craig that’s watching this, I highly recommend giving it a try. You won’t believe it until you actually get to try it.”
— Michael Borris
Kailyn Forsberg & Jasmine Hermosillo-Najera
Kailyn and her dive buddy Jasmine trained in the DAD program, and became certified divers on one of trips to Cayman Brac.
”It was wonderful. Absolutely phenomenal. I’m very proud that I persevered through the struggles that I was having in the beginning of the week…we solved all the problems and I was able to get certified. I would definitely say if you haven’t heard of Denver Adaptive Divers, definitely give it a peek.”
— Kailyn Forsberg
Craig Vogtsberger
Craig was injured while preparing to deploy overseas. He discusses his experience with DAD, and the challenges he overcame to become a certified Open Water Diver.
“This week was a lot of self discovery – what my mind can handle, what my body can handle, and how to get through all the problems, the fear, the pain, the anxiety, wherever you go.”
— Craig Vogtsberger
Kyler & Loran Novacek
Kyler Novacek and his father Loran trained together through the DAD program. When Kyler was 17, he became a Classified Diver during a DAD trip to Cayman Brac. His father Loran became a Classified Dive Buddy.
“It feels like you’re weightless. Feels like there’s no gravity. You’re not confined to a chair anymore. You’re not always sitting down. Most people can move themselves around. I was able to swim on my own a little bit, which was great. It’s a different level of freedom coming from a chair to open water.”
— Kyler Novacek
Justin Batchelder
Like many of our divers, Justin was introduced to DAD through our partner Craig Hospital. He’s joined us for two dive trips, and became a Classified Diver after training with DAD.
“You have to build trust with one another when you’re scuba diving. So not only is it a beautiful experience with different creatures from the ocean, but you also get better bonds with other humans as well.”
— Justin Batchelder
Ty & Tyler Weirl
Adaptive diver Ty and his father and dive buddy Tyler share their experience diving with Denver Adaptive Divers on a trip to Cayman Brac in May, 2022.
“Denver Adaptive Divers is a wonderful experience. They give people like me opportunities that I couldn’t even dream of.”
— Ty Weirl
Eric Nelson
Eric, a bi-lateral amputee, tells his story and discusses his journey with Denver Adaptive Divers to become a Level 2 Classified Diver. Eric trained with DAD using a custom prosthetic that allows him to control his buoyancy underwater.
“Vince is very, very good. He just makes you feel real comfortable with him, and makes you feel real comfortable with the water.”
— Eric Nelson