Comments on: A Job Involving a Lot of Pressure

By: Scuba Gear Diver

Scuba Gear Diver — Tue, 09 Dec 2008 17:50:18 +0000

That’s an inspiring story. Most people never get past 50-60 feet. It’s a while different world down there.

By: DavidA

DavidA — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:20:14 +0000

Kristina,

I did not know how to dive when I decided to do it with my oldest. I did my certification at the same time. I then went through the certification again with each of my other kids, including Mark. The instructor thought that I was nuts.

In any event, like your experience with biking, I had no real expectations. The worst that could happen was that Mark did not like it or could not do it. In either case, no harm no foul. We have made an effort to try a lot things. Some worked out; some did not; but it was all fun.

By: Alli

Alli — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 23:03:14 +0000

we did our first swimming lessons for Alec in October with school, his aide was there and so was I, expecting the worst because he had never progressed past the first step. Well didn’t we look silly hovering around! he took to the water immediately. After the 2 weeks of lessons we have kept up our visits and Alec spends most of his time… like Charlie bobbing down and then springing back up out of the water over and over again. He also loves doing backstroke push offs from the ladder like he saw in the Olympics.

We are signed up for more lessons after Christmas. I worried at almost 7 we had left it too late but he makes up for it in sheer enthusiasm.

By: Kristina Chew, PhD

Kristina Chew, PhD — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 21:56:56 +0000

That’s so great to hear—–since neither Jim nor I know how to, I don’t know how likely it’d be for Charlie. But then, just a few years ago, no one in our family was riding a bike for miles and miles………

By: DavidA

DavidA — Mon, 24 Nov 2008 15:37:54 +0000

Kristina, I was able to get my son, Mark, certified to scuba dive when he was 13. It was a big deal but I had allowed our other kids to get their certification at that age so I wanted to do whatever was possible to allow Mark to participate when I took the other kids diving. Scuba diving is, by its nature, a dangerous activity and I am nervous when any of my kids go diving but it is especially trying when I take Mark.

The results are worth it. Mark is not very coordinated or graceful as a diver. However, he loves the outdoors and animals. I think the combination of the weightlessness and the submersion in wildlife makes diving one of Mark’s favorite vacation activities, next to fishing.

Because it is dangerous, I would never recommend that anyone undertake to learn and participate in scuba diving. However, for Mark and my family it has been a real treat. As with all other life skills, I cannot help but think that the confidence that Mark gets from participating will show up in other areas and activities.