Steve's Words

Once again Deptherapy has been welcomed with open arms by the people of the Keys here in Florida. We landed and were met by the welcoming sight of some old friends, Faser and the legend that is Deano.

After being escorted through the airport to our awaiting vehicle we were here !!

I would like to firstly thank the people that have made this trip possible with suppling the funding. Once again Help 4 Heroes and a business man from the Midlands whom wishes to remain anonymous. This Midlands business man has provided an interest free bridging loan whilst we waited for the funds to clear form H4H. Thank you to Mark, Martin and all at Help 4 Heroes.

The diving has been fantastic this trip due to calmer waters and some amazing support staff from Ocean Divers. Arron and Rob have really embraced this experience and both are a credit to not only themselves but in Arron's case the Anglians regiment.

I have witnessed both Arron and Rob grow in confidence in the water and out of it having both made some great friends that I'm sure they will keep in close contact with once this trip is over.

From my point of view I have been trying to identify how we can improve the experience and have had lengthy discussions with Fraser on raising awareness over in the UK.

Fraser once again has worked tirelessly at making this a success from a students perspective. He has focused on the individual service person and tailored there diving, air, depth and even rest time specific to them.

I aim to move Deptherapy forward the day we touch down in the UK. The main reason is a conversation I had with a certain US Marine over here on our way to the dock at 0630 in the morning. He told me that without the Deptherapy program he doesn't know how he would have got through the past two years. It particularly hit home when he said that before he had entered this program, he had considered ending his own life.

This Marine is now looking forward to taking a position within the US D.O.D and has a relationship with his girl friend that he worships. Deptherapy is the reason behind one Marine moving forward with his life.

Thanks again to everyone involved in supporting us getting our service personal back on track. One more thing to end with, Fraser Bathgate keep your painkillers away from me !!!!

Arrons Thoughts

I came on this trip unsure what to expect. I had never heard of depththearpy and was sceptical about it working. I did not think that i would get any better at all but since it was trip to Florida I was not going to turn it down as at least i would learn to dive.

When i arrived in Florida I was shocked at the way that the troops are embraced and taken into the community. The support was something I have never experienced back in the uk, they way people spent their own time and money to look after us made me feel special and feel that maybe our sacrifices were for a reason.

The diving its self was stunning. After a few hours training in the pool we were ready to try in the ocean. The water was perfect for us warm and clear allowing us to view the magnificent marine life in the area. My mind was taken to another world of animals and colour. The weightless of the water made me for the first time forget that i was injured, my pain was gone i could actually feel like everyone else for once. Unfortunately I came back when i left the water but just to feel complete for that short period was perfect.

After one of the dives I was given a try in a decompression chamber. Pumped full of oxygen while gas was pumped into the atmosphere. The chamber its self looked like something out of NASA. A big white metal container with lots of loud noises and wires everywhere. When i left the chamber i felt slightly light headed but everyone could see i looked healthier. Not sure what affect it had on my wounds other than I felt good that night but I’m sure it helped my internally.
Was this trip what I expected, No. It was the trip of a life time that I think has helped me physically and has defiantly helped me mentally. The appreciation and support given by instructors and locals has left me feeling refreshed within myself.