Project Overview

A Dream to Dive

Since a very young age, Matthew Johnston had dreamt of the freedom that scuba diving provides. Matt, a quadriplegic confined to his wheelchair full time, with only the use of his fingertips, had a vision...to open an entire new world for those with Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy. This vision would take nearly two decades to materialize and become a reality. Sometimes the best things in life take time, however this triumphant push by Matt was one where time was THE limiting factor. At age 27, he set out determined to make his dreams come true. Matt's nurse died tragically a year prior, leaving the reality that life is indeed too short. Duchenne's is a progressively debilitating muscle disease, and many with this disease live only until their young 30's. There was work to be done...

In the summer of 2004, after an intensive grassroots push by Matt; his family, and close friends set out to contact anyone in the diving industry that would listen...hoping for help, answers as to how to solve the many technical and physical obstacles for such a project, funding, and simply a next door to open that would take things one step closer...Matt contacted Michael Lombardi, an entrepreneurial spirit in the diving community from Providence Rhode Island, whose experience and network in the industry spanned the many disciplines required to spearhead a focused initiative. Here, a relationship was formed that lead to 'Ocean Opportunity' sponsoring Matt, and subsequently what was to become the 'Diving a Dream' project. Diving a Dream was then thrust into motion, providing the vehicle to realize Matt's dream to dive.

'Limitations'...Loosely Defined

Matt's Duchenne's Muscular Dystrophy has caused a number of physical limitations that had to be overcome to even begin considering diving. First, and most significantly, Matt requires a ventilator to breath through a tracheotomy. Unable to breath independently, his lung function then becomes fully dependent on the ventilator underwater. This remains a limitation of the project, as Matt's submerging to just 5 feet maximizes the vent's pressure delivery capabilities. A second issue was keeping Matt's trachea dry, as this would pose a threat of drowning. Thanks to Susan Long of DUI in San Diego, a custom drysuit was designed for Matt that allowed passage of his vent tubes through the suit to his trachea. This development allowed Matt to re-enter the water after more than 10 years. A next limitation is communications. With Matt being a full quadriplegic, Matt is dependent on his dive safety team to monitor his dive and the integrity of all life support equipment. Early in the project, a set of eye signals were developed. As the project evolved, Ocean Reef Group sponsored Diving a Dream by providing underwater communications equipment. This allowed Matt to communicate directly with his dive team and surface support. A final limitation...the dive industry had never 'certified' a diver in Matt's condition. This restricted pool access, the ability to purchase equipment, and exposed numerous liability hurdles in affording Matt his dream. Michael Lombardi, the Diving a Dream Coordinator, Drew Gerling, Matt's dive instructor, and Sean Harrison of Scuba Diving International, teamed up to compile the information necessary to afford Matt with a unique certification...Scubility #1.

A True Success Story

Since 2004, a comprehensive campaign within the diving community has afforded Matt Johnston and Diving a Dream numerous successes. With the assistance of Dive Instructor Drew Gerling and Rescue Diver Frank Fabio, Matt undertook his first water therapy sessions after not being immersed in water for more than 10 years. From that point, a number of carefully executed steps were put in place to slowly acclimate Matt to the concept of being completely immersed and dependent on his dive team. Custom techniques were developed, as was equipment, communications, and emergency procedures. Over the course of 2 years, Matt reached over one consecutive hour underwater in a pool, to being the first with his condition to dive in a lake, and as of November 13, 2006, being the first to dive in the ocean. Matt's project has truly pioneered the way the world perceives 'limitations', especially within the adaptive scuba community.

Diving a Dream has received support from throughout the US, to New Zealand, South Africa, and all across Europe. He has inspired many, and is an icon in scuba diving. Among his many firsts include:

:: being the first to dive while dependent on a ventilator
:: among the first full quadriplegics to dive
:: pioneering scuba diving with muscular dystrophy

The project has also resulted in Matt being officially 'certified' as a diver through Scuba Diving International's 'Scubility Program', an adaptive scuba program. Standards are being developed to enable others with Matt's condition to experience the underwater world.

The Quest Goes On

The project continues to make waves in the adaptive scuba community. For more information, please browse this site, or contact Ocean Opportunity directly.

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