Deptherapy

Steve's Words

2009-10-01T14:05:00.002+01:00

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

2009-10-01T13:47:00.005+01:00

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.

Rob V's Thoughts On His trip so Far

2009-09-30T13:26:00.006+01:00

The first day of the Depth Therapy package involved basic diving training and skills. To begin with we met the instructors that are to be taking us through the diving ventures over the 9 days. We began with an introduction to the equipment and the usual safety points that goes with them and then suited up and entered the training pool. We concentrated mainly on swimming around the bottom of the pool and then

moved onto different mask and breathing exercises. In all we were in the pool about an hour doing the various drills and preparing for the open water. On the evening of day one we went to the Moose Lodge for a steak dinner and we were also graced with the presence of Col. George Adrian from the USAF.

We all

sat around telling our various stories over a few drinks and a good evening was enjoyed by all.

Day two involved getting out in the ocean to a place called Molasses and getting used to the d

ifferent depths and again doing the regulator and mask drills. The visibility down there was amazing and for me personally it was like being on a different planet. I have never really had an interest in diving but after my experiences on this trip it is definitely something i will be continuing to pursue. My main problem down there, so I have been told anyway, is that I use the air to fast and have now been nicknamed “Air Pig”. When the diving finished for the day we had a few hours to relax before we went to the Elks Lodge for some food and drinks and a bit of a sing song on the karaoke in the bar. Again we all enjoyed ourselves immensely and again after a few drinks the guys start to open up about their various experiences. I find it

amazing the hospitality and gratitude we receive as soldiers of the US and UK and the pride these people have for us is breathtaking. It really is something to write home about.

On the third day we went to Snappers Ledge but and we got to use the Pegasus Thruster which is a very cool hands free propellor system. But again “Air Pig” took over and I did not last very long down there which was disappointing because I missed out on seeing the Sharks and Sting Rays and the hunting out and killing of a Lion Fish. I jumped back in the water with my snorkel so I could still watch the other divers below me and what they wer

e doing. So far this trip has been excellent and the benefits I have taken from this is amazing.

NEW PATRON FOR DEPTHERAY

2009-09-21T13:37:00.014+01:00

On the Eve of the latest trip we are pleased to announce the Patronage of Mr Mark Hamilton.

Mr. Hamilton has been a long time supporter of Fraser and has agreed to join Deptherapy, we are all very please about this and Mr. Hamilton will bring a wide range of skills and knowledge.

Mark Hamilton

Profile

With 35 years experience in security, safety and crowd management, Mark has

acquired a

considerable range of knowledge and industry experience from his involvement in events throughout

the world and has developed a unique understanding of spectator and audience needs. His career

began in 1973 working for the leisure company Mecca before operating freelance for a number of

event organisers and venues. In 1980 Mark founded Rock Steady, which was the UK’s most

successful event security company when it was acquired by G4S Security Services in March 2008.

In addition to being the current Managing Director of G4S Events, Mark is Chair of the Policy Board

and Head of the International Centre for Crowd Management Security Studies at Bucks New

University, where he is also a lecturer. Internationally, Mark also lectures at the European Academy

for Venue Management and holds a Trustee position with the IAAM Academy for Venue Safety and

Security based in the USA.

He has for the past 20 years held the post of Security Director with MPL Communications Ltd, which is

the publishing and live music business owned by Sir Paul McCartney.

Mark holds a UK Close Protection License; is a High Constable of the Port of Leith, Scotland and a

police officer with the City of Gretna, Louisiana, U.S.A.

Whilst Mark takes overall strategic responsibility for the events portfolio, he also maintains a tactical

and operational interest in the following:

Key Contracts

 Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships

 T in the Park Festival

 2012 - Olympic Bid

 Labour Party Conferences

 Conservative Party Conferences

 Defence Systems Exhibition International

 Abu Dhabi F1 Grand Prix

 R & A Open Golf Championships

Training and Education

 Buckinghamshire New University – Masters Degree in Leadership and Management (Distinction)

 Buckinghamshire Chilterns University College – Foundation Degree in Crowd Safety

Management (Outstanding Student Award)

 Level 5 qualification in Delivering Work Based Learning in Adult Education

 Lecturer in Crowd Safety Management; Event Security; Risk and Threat Assessment; Emergency

Planning and Leadership and Management

 City and Guilds accredited instructor in Physical Intervention and Conflict Management Skills

OOpps We have gone Around the World.

2009-05-15T15:45:00.003+01:00

Once again we would like to thank all our supporters and all our new friends for making this one hell of a trip THANK YOU

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/10/AR2009051002047.html

http://news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20090511/lf_nm_life/us_scuba_warriors

http://www.nationalpost.com/rss/story.html?id=1585468

http://tvnz.co.nz/health-news/scuba-diving-therapy-wounded-troops-2727585

http://www.redorbit.com/news/health/1686436/scuba_diving_physical_psychological_therapy_for_disabled_troops/

http://it.reuters.com/article/entertainmentNews/idITMIE54A08R20090511

http://suaramerdeka.com/smcetak/index.php?fuseaction=beritacetak.detailberitacetak&id_beritacetak=63174

http://www.keysnet.com/212/story/100153.html

DAY 6

2009-05-07T13:42:00.004+01:00

Wednesday, May 6

FRASER,

It’s been an exhausting but extraordinary week. In certain aspects we have achieved more than we thought we would before we began, but unfortunately the weather was against us for some of the stuff we wanted to do. That’s nature for you – there’s nothing you can do about it.

I feel we have achieved more on the therapeutic side this time. The whole experience seems to have had a greater beneficial effect for more and more of the participants.

Dominic has certainly exceeded our expectations. We have achieved more with his independence and muscle movement than I had hoped for.

With Matt and Steve on board at Deptherapy, they will know what to do in future and the experience they have gained will be invaluable. Their commitment is central to our future.

It was always our goal to get Brits here as we knew they would gel. The camaraderie between the two groups has been phenomenal, and now that we have shown what we can do, hopefully back in Britain, the Deptherapy Foundation won’t be up against the sort of red tape nonsense we have previously experienced.

The welcome we receive from the people here in the Keys is always fantastic and each time they seem to outdo themselves. They are so willing to support us in all that we do, and seemingly there is a list of people standing by who want to help in future.

There were a few issues which cropped up over the last couple of days which will be resolved for the next trip, basically cutting down on the number of events because the guys need more time to rest.

As this is the last blog of the trip, I want to thank everyone who has helped. If I leave anyone out, please forgive me but it’s late at night and I’ll put any errors right tomorrow.

Firstly, the Eagle Divers and Wounded Warriors organisations – what can I say about them that would be adequate to describe the magnificence of their efforts? The challenge for them of bringing the men and women down here has been tackled and met once again, and I am sure it will be met again in future.

The highlight of the events off the water was probably the parade last Saturday. It went fantastically well, with quite an amazing turnout by the people of the Florida Keys. To see more than a hundred folk from a retirement home come out in support of the troops in decorated golf carts was simply stunning.

All the other events went very well, and I was delighted to see the Quilter’s Guild ladies making quilts for the British guys as well as their own American veterans. They must have put in a lot of work on the quilts and pillows which were all beautiful.

The cook-outs at the Shockley and Vihlen homes will live long in the memory, and I know the American and British contingents appreciated the welcome there and at the Elk’s Lodge and VFW.

Throughout the week, the support of Ocean Divers, especially Doc, Kenny and Connie, who has kept everything together, along with the boat crews, has been wonderful again. We simply couldn’t do without them.

There are no words of praise high enough for Rib Daddy’s and Kountry Kitchen. Bob’s support goes much further than feeding us, and we are all truly grateful to everyone involved for what they have done for us.

The Islander Hotel has been a home from home for most of the crew and the support of the owners and staff is crucial.

All the other venues, which I think I have named, have been brilliant.

Oceanic’s support in terms of equipment has been quite outstanding, and the Deptherapy Foundation is looking forward to working with them in future.

I’m sure we will never forget the sight of the Pegasus Thruster propelling Dom around. To Dean Vitale and everyone there go our thanks and best wishes for the future of this remarkable invention.

I must thank Deptherapy’s sponsors such as Virgin Atlantic, who provided the flights; Ford, who helped me get transport at this end; Breitling, who have been a constant support from the outset; Colin Usher, who set up this blog; they have all been generous to a fault.

A special word of thanks for the Center for Independent Living of the Florida Keys for the use of their special bus. The bus also came with a very special guy, Terry, its driver, and we cannot thank him enough for the hours he had put in and the commitment he has shown in ferrying Dominic and others around the Keys. He said he knew it was going to be long hours, but I don’t think he knew how long.

A word of thanks, too, to Dom’s carer Marianne for her devotion to her charge. She has fitted in well, and maybe next time she will finally get the chance to get in the water.

Lastly, a special word of thanks to our volunteer instructors. I don’t want to single anyone out, because of the collective achievement of them all. We are always and forever in your debt.

Every time we do this, it just seems to get better and better. I know we are very lucky with the quality of the people who support us so generously. Thanks to them all, and see you in the Fall!

DAY 5

2009-05-07T13:39:00.003+01:00

Tuesday, May 7

Dominic L

Well, I’ve done it at last. This morning I finally became a real scuba diver by having my first dive in the sea.

It took place at the John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park near Key Largo. The area is named after the newspaperman who campaigned for the Reef to be preserved and for a park to be established, and it is a wonderful place which had all the facilities we needed and even had a wheelchair route right to the water’s edge.

We should have been out at sea, but again the waters were too choppy and for safety’s sake it was decided that we would go into the water from the shore. It didn’t matter to me how I got in, I just wanted to dive in the sea and though it wasn’t very deep, I was able to use the Pegasus Thruster to get around, with Ray, Ted and Merissa always close by.

I really can’t thank them and Fraser enough for what they have done for me over the past few days. It has been an absolutely fantastic experience for me to dive and I can’t tell you much better I feel.

Yes, the weather was disappointing but hopefully there will be more trips to come and I will get the chance to go deeper.

Earlier this evening we were all invited to the beautiful home of Mr Hugo Vihlen right on the ocean shore. Mr Vihlen and his wife Johnnie – yep, that’s her name and she is a lovely lady who just happens to be a former US Marine like her husband – cooked up a wonderful barbeque and we all had a whale of a time.

Major General Tommy Dyches from the Pentagon lives locally and he came along and gave a rousing speech and a toast to us all. It’s not often you get the chance to meet a Major General so I had a good chat with him, and then after the meal I had the chance to relax in a hammock. I found it very comfortable and I must think about getting one for my new accommodation later in the year.

It was typical of the generosity of the local people here that Hugo and Johnnie opened their home for us. Last night I was presented with a lovely quilt from the local Quilter’s Guild when we had dinner at Sharkey’s, and again we had a brilliant time with all the American veterans.

Tomorrow we are going to the Island Dolphin Care centre in Key Largo where I will get the chance to swim with dolphins. I can’t wait!

DAY 4

2009-05-07T13:37:00.002+01:00

Monday, May 4

Matt C

We had a disappointing start to the day when the weather refused to improve. In fact the weather’s been the only disappointment of the trip, though he sun has continued to shine.

We went up to the dock but when we got there it was clear that not all of us would be able to dive as the seas were just too big to allow the less-able divers to get into and out of the water safely. That would not have been fair, so it was decided not to go ahead with the diving.

The alternative plan kicked in and we took Dominic back to the pool and he was able to do more practice with the Pegasus Thruster and also learn some of the Deptherapy exercises which Fraser has devised for him.

I spent the rest of the day with the US Marines and we had a good conversation, almost a heart-to-heart, regarding the stuff they had been through in Iraq and Afghanistan. It was good to get an inter-unit chat because any soldier that you talk to about any conflict they have been in would much rather tell it to someone else from the military rather than civilians and their families.

There’s been more openness as we have got to know each other and I think that’s all part of the therapy of this trip. For instance, Steve from the US Marine Corps who lost both his legs, one above the knee and one below, was very quiet when we first met. You could see he was still terribly disappointed at his situation, but over the last few days he has come out of his shell and his true personality is showing through. I spent the whole morning with him and he is now really enjoying things.

We had a really great time earlier this evening at Sharkie’s where Doc the owner had laid on a great spread and excellent entertainment. I was delighted to be presented with a quilt made by the local Quilter’s Guild which featured both the Stars and Stripes and the Union flag. Local artist Claudia Montgomery also gave us all one of her paintings which was a really fine gesture by her. We have also received tee shirts by the handful, so its just as well I have offloaded my desert kit to Jared for the military-themed bar in his new home where he will hang them. At least I’ll have room in my bag for all the gifts now.

The whole trip has been very good for everyone involved and you can actually see the difference it has made to Dominic and our new American friends. Steve and I are determined to work with Fraser and Martin and bring four British veterans over here later in the year. This is the start of something big for us all.

DAY 3

2009-05-04T01:18:00.009+01:00

SUNDAY, MAY 3

Dominic Lovett

The last few days have been some of the best I’ve had since my accident. To be honest, I didn’t really know what to expect here in Florida but I knew that I was going to be ingood hands with Fraser in charge and Steve, Matt and my carer Marianne looking after me.

On the first morning, I couldn’t wait to get started with diving, even though I knew it might be difficult. I got all the instructions from Fraser and Ray Cook, who has been in personal charge of me in the water. Then it took nearly half-an-hour for everyone to get me into my wetsuit, which was very tight as obviously I hadn’t used it before.

In no time at all I was in the water and had on my special mask provided by the Oceanic company. I don’t quite know what all the figures in the ‘heads up’ display in the mask mean, but I know the important ones.

When the time came for me to go under the water, I was completely calm and in control of myself. I found the breathing easy and had no problems with my ears.

I loved the sensation of being in the water and not having to come up for breath, but the best was yet to come. Dean Vitale had given me the instructions about his Pegasus Thruster, a kind of miniature propellor which looks like something out of a James Bond film. When it was strapped on to my back I found I could control it using the small movements that I still have in my arms.

Off I went, and I have to tell you it was just an awesome feeling being able to move under the water and go where I wanted to go.

I felt a real sense of achievement, and it was even better when I went into the deep pool at the Jacob’s Aquatic Center. Going down 12 feet, I knew that I could achieve my ambition of diving at sea. I’ll just have to wait for calm weather.

All my American instructors and helpers – Ray, Ted, Dean and Merissia – have been great, and I couldn’t have done it without them and Fraser.

The other part of this trip which I have enjoyed the most is meeting all the guys from the Wounded Warriors and Eagle Divers. They served in the Forces just like us, and there’s been a real bond between us all right from the first night we met at RibDaddy’s restaurant.

We have so much in common, and I have also been amazed at the friendliness of everyone here. The bestexample was yesterday’s parade, a motorcade all the way up to Key Largo. Thousands of people came out to see us, waving their Stars and Stripes and Union Jacks. It was pretty humbling to know that so many people cared about us all, and some of our guys were quite emotional about it all.

The local branch of the Veterans of Foreign Wars association hosted us last night for a steak dinner, and Martin and Steve did the entertaining again, though the best ‘turn’ was Alex, an American veteran of World War Two who is 88-years-old and sang his song word perfect – which is more than Martin and Steve did!

Last night we all went out to sample the local night life and had a couple of beers, and met up with our American friends and met some local girls. They were really friendly but I don’t know how much more we can see of them.

Today the weather is not quite good enough for a dive at sea, so I’m going back to practise with the Pegasus Thruster in the deep pool at Jacob’s Aquatic Center, where there’s also a swimming pool for competitions and flumes and things for kids. We should have plenty places like that back home.

DAY 2

2009-05-04T01:17:00.002+01:00

SATURDAY MAY 2

Matt Croucher

We were on the go first thing again yesterday morning, helping Dominic to get out of bed. To be truthful, we almost had a bit of an accident when we were hoisting him up into his wheelchair. He took a little tumble but no damage was done to him or to that expensive chair of his and we soon had him ready for the day.

After breakfast at the Kountry Kitchen, which is in the same ownership as Rib Daddy’s, we made it to the swimming pool at Jacob’s Aquatic Center – that’s how they spell it over here – in Key Largo about ten o’clock.

The pool there is much deeper than normal, and we soon had Dom in his wetsuit and raring to go. Using the Pegasus Thruster, which a good bloke called Dean Vitale has developed, Dom was able to go down a full 12 feet, and it was clear from his face inside the mask that he was having a ball. Dean and the other instructors, Ray, Ted and Merissia were on hand all the time taking their instruction from Fraser who I know has been really pleased with Dom’s progress.

The most important thing was that he was able to equalise the pressure in his ears really well, which means he should be able to go much deeper when he eventually dives in the sea sometime during the next few days. The weather out to sea has been a bit windy so we don’t know exactly when that dive will be.

Today is a rest day for Dom, and to be truthful we could all do with a break as we are all a bit tired after the hectic events of the past couple of days. It’s been great fun and the amount of things which our American friends are putting on for us is really quite overwhelming.

Last night, for instance, we were entertained by the Elk’s Lodge in Key Largo. It’s the local branch of a national social club organisation, and their hospitality was tremendous. The local girl scouts brought us gifts and we spent ages getting our pictures taken with our American fellow veterans.

They wouldn’t let us leave without taking part in their karaoke evening, and Martin and Steve did the honours, Steve bringing the house down with his Elvis Presley-style rendition of Suspicious Minds.

The place was full of American flags alongside Union Jacks, and that’s very much been the spirit of our visit so far. The local people are always offering to organise things for us and inviting us to their homes. It’s very much part of the way they support their troops and those who have fought alongside them.

We’ll see much more of it tomorrow, no doubt, when we take part in the parade to salute the wounded warriors and ourselves. It’s going to be a 20-mile drive up from the Islander Hotel where we are staying to Key Largo. There will be sheriff’s police cars leading us and the local fire service at our rear, but other than that I don’t know what to expect.

I do know that local people are expecting the parade to pass them by between nine and ten and I’m told there will be plenty people out to cheer us on – I don’t know if we’d get that back home.

DAY 1

2009-05-04T01:17:00.001+01:00

FRIDAY, MAY 1

Steve Hands

We were a little bit tired from the long flight from London the day before, so yesterday we chilled out in the morning after we got up at 06.30 to help Dom get ready. Putting on his wetsuit was a half hour struggle and I was sweating buckets by the time we finished, but it was great to see him all ready to go.

It all went well for Dom and in the afternoon while he had some downtime, Matt and I decided to rent a couple of kayaks from the beach hirer and do some hard exercise for an hour.

We rowed straight out to sea for 35 minutes, against the waves and the current, and then we turned round and cam back in again, this time with the conditions in our favour. We ended up looking like lobsters as the sun was fierce, but it was good to get a workout.

Last night we went to Rib Daddy’s restaurant to meet all the rest of the guys from the States who are here with the Eagle Divers. The owner, Bob, is a great guy and big supporter of this project. The food was terrific and we had a good chat with a lot of the guys and got to know them a bit better. They are really nice people, and like us they have the same passion for the Forces.

It was upsetting to see them in one way, because they reminded me of myself when I was in my mid-twenties and I got discharged. Now the same thing is happening to them and you can see the effect it has on them. There was one guy, Steve, whose eyes showed how upset he is at leaving the Marine Corps. But at the same time it was great to see the camaraderie between them all, and indeed between us and them.

It was terrific to watch all the volunteers who came along to help Dom in the pool, and it was great for Fraser to be able to get all the help he needed. The way the four instructors worked with Dom was remarkable, with Fraser coordinating everything. He is obviously held in great respect by everyone here for what he has done, and his Deptherapy techniques are amazing.

All you had to do was to look at Dominic and the big smile on his face after that first session and you know that Deptherapy works.

Some Information

2009-04-22T15:11:00.004+01:00

SOME INFORMATION ABOUT DEPTHERAPY

We have been asked by several people to give some more explanation of what the Deptherapy Foundation is all about.

Put most simply, the Deptherapy Foundation exists to service the development of the Deptherapy programme.

At present the programme is delivered in twice-yearly modules in the world’s largest diving centre, Key Largo in Florida. On April 29, 2009, three British soldiers including former Royal Marine Matt Croucher, GC, who famously won his medal for leaping on a grenade to save his colleagues, will fly to Key Largo to join a dozen ex-service personnel from the US Marines and especially the 101^st Airborne Division, the famous Screaming Eagles. This is the first time troops from both the USA and UK have joined the programme, which this time is being called the Deptherapy Challenge.

Matt Croucher still suffers from the physical after-effects of his heroic exploits. But he is determined to to become the first Briton to be trained in the programme in order that he can become a Deptherapy instructor.

The other two Britons are Steve Hands, who was badly wounded in the spine during his service, and Dominic Lovett, paralysed from the neck down in a training accident. Lovett’s case is unique – he is attempting to become the first tetraplegic veteran to undertake a diving course and will do so with the aid of a state-of-the-art face mask designed by the Oceanic company working with Fraser Bathgate. Lovett will be accompanied at all times by a carer – the Foundation’s watchword is safety, and even though expert medical advice is being provided by the American hosts, it was felt that a carer would be necessary for Lovett.

All of them will undergo ten days of an unusual but highly effective form of intensive therapy – a scuba diving programme called Deptherapy, pioneered by Fraser Bathgate from Edinburgh who himself has been paralysed from the waist down since the age of 23.

Tried and tested, and already producing impressive results, Deptherapy has already changed lives immeasurably for the better. The co-founders of the Deptherapy Foundation aim to extend its benefits to other ex-service personnel in the first instance.

The next module involving British veterans is set for October at Key Largo and the medium-term aim is to take a British-American expedition to the Cayman Islands next year. The long-term aim of the Deptherapy Foundation is to finance and organise regular therapeutic trips to warm water scuba-diving venues for former servicemen and servicewomen who will benefit from the unique and successful qualities of the Deptherapy Programme.

FRASER BATHGATE – short biography:

As the instigator of the Deptherapy programme, Fraser Bathgate is the key person in this organisation.

At the age of 23, Bathgate was living in London and was set to join a climbing expedition to the Himalayas. Shortly before his departure, Bathgate fell 25ft from a climbing wall, landing on his heels on the concrete, breaking bones in his legs and feet and compressing his spine. Paralysed from the waist down and confined to a wheelchair, Bathgate moved back to his home town of Edinburgh.

At much the lowest point of his life, a friend suggested he try scuba-diving. From the start, Bathgate proved to be a natural diver. He soon devised his own swimming technique that combined hip-rotation with the use of his arms for underwater propulsion. “In the water, I do not feel disabled,” he says.

With his determination renewed, and with a commitment that he has retained ever since, Bathgate decided to extend his hobby. His next step was to become a qualified scuba diver and coach, which he did with the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) in Malta. In 1994, Bathgate became the world's first paraplegic PADI Instructor, and joined the International Association of Handicapped Divers (IAHD) which had been formed the previous year to provide instructors, dive buddies and training programmes for people with serious physical disabilities. He is nowVice-President and Director of Training of IAHD.

After qualifying as an Instructor Trainer with another leading training agency, the National Association of Underwater Instructors, Bathgate began teaching not only disabled divers but future instructors.

In the course of supervising divers and their training, Bathgate has travelled to North and Central America, the Middle and Far East, Australia and various Indian Ocean, Caribbean and Mediterranean locations. As International Training Director for a well-known dive centre in Florida he runs a popular week of free ‘try-dive’ courses for disabled people every year. Bathgate also began a series of motivational presentations at spinal rehabilitation units - the No Barriers tours.

Ford Motor Company then appointed Bathgate a Ford Mobility Ambassador. Mobility s Ford's free phone information service on driving with a disability.

Today, Fraser Bathgate is one of the world's leading consultants on access for disabled people to major outdoor events. In 2001 he became Disabled Liaison Officer for Rock Steady Security, later taken over by G4S. He surveys and reports on access issues at major sporting events such as football and rugby union internationals and major concerts.

In his career he has helped many disabled people enjoy Live 8, T in the Park, and individual open-air concerts by Queen, REM, U2, Oasis, Elton John and Coldplay. He was also disability consultant for the Make Poverty History event in Edinburgh.

Bathgate also works with the Children's Hospice Association Scotland (CHAS), particularly Rachel House in Kinross, to make sure that terminally ill children are able to attend outdoor events.

Despite his other responsibilities, today Bathgate is more active in scuba-diving than ever. He has continued to develop his own skills - he is, for example, an Advanced Diver Medical Technician and qualified to operate a hyperbaric chamber, for treatment of divers with decompression illness.

His technical achievements have transformed diving for the disabled, including the development of a special undersuit, webbed gloves, weight harnesses and flexible fins. He has been closely involved in the design of a chin-operated underwater scooter with a long-life battery. He has even advised space agency NASA in the USA on its weighting systems.

In 2002, Bathgate was the subject of a BBC documentary, one of eight Lives Less Ordinary. The following year he was a finalist in the ‘Great Scot - Unsung Hero’ Awards

DEPTHERAPY – THE PROGRAMME

Over the years, Bathgate had realised that scuba diving had vast potential to be used as a form of therapy for disabled people, and particularly for those recovering from crippling injuries, perhaps even the colossal damage sustained by soldiers in modern conflict.

In 2007, he had the chance to put his theories to the test. Bathgate was invited to Fort Campbell, the giant US Army base on the Kentucky/Tennessee border, home to the 101^st Airborne Division, the famous Screaming Eagles. From day one, Bathgate’s programme of diving and underwater exercise made an almost miraculous impact on the rehab work being undertaken by men who had suffered everything from traumatic brain injuries to paralysis. The whole experience was entirely positive for Bathgate and the divers. The Eagle Divers group was formed by participants and one of its specific aims is to push the case for more American veterans to be allowed access to scuba diving.

In late 2007, Fraser accompanied six veterans who had suffered appalling injuries, such as spinal fractures, on an epic trip from Fort Campbell to Florida. At Key Largo, the world’s largest diving centre, all the men had the chance to dive in the sea for the very first time – until then, all their training sessions had been pool-based. The results were astonishing, much more so than pool-based work. The programme that became Deptherapy was born.

In April, 2008, 12 more disabled American veterans of the conflicts in the Middle East were given the chance to take their physical rehabilitation a step further than they ever thought possible. Fraser returned to Fort Campbell and Key Largo and if anything, this second session was even more successful.

US service personnel who benefited from Deptherapy include retired Army Staff Sergeant BRIAN PRICE, who suffered spinal cord severance in a roadside bombing in Iraq. He is wheelchair-bound and is paralysed from the lumbar region down. (Photographer James Nachtwey captured images of Sgt Price lying on a gurney, with the name of the soldier's daughter, Ashlynn Jaide, tattooed in script over his heart)

Interviewed by journalists in Florida, Sgt Price said: "When I started diving I did a complete 360 in my attitude with my injury, because I was pretty depressed. And the more I dive, the happier I get."

His trips to America convinced Bathgate that he should be taking disabled British veterans onto his therapy courses. There are limited sub aqua programmes to help British wounded, but quite obviously there is no pool as deep nor as extensive as the open sea, and when dealing with people with disabilities, the water needs to be warm at the surface where much of the training takes place, hence the need for intensive diving in the warm waters off Key Largo. It is only in such waters that Deptherapy works to its best.

THE FOUNDATION

The Deptherapy Foundation wants to move quickly to being a fully-fledged charity. At the moment we are awaiting confirmation from the Office of the Scottish Charity Register that the Foundation has official status as a non-for-profit charitable organisation. We expect that confirmation any day now.

The Programme really only works in deep warm water, i.e. the tropical seas, and though various groups and firms such as Help For Heroes, Virgin Atlantic, Breitling and Oceanic have already given help, it is necessary to raise considerable funds to develop the Programme and expand it to enable British veterans in the first instance to be put through this life-changing experience.

In brief, the Foundation needs to raise money to fund modules in Key Largo and elsewhere, and to train instructors to work with the participants.

In that respect, we anticipate that Matt Croucher and at least two or three Americans will become sufficiently proficient that they can shortly be classed as Deptherapy coaches. The Foundation will then establish a further training programme to ensure that Deptherapy instructors can themselves pass on the training so that other people can organise modules.

In the long run, it is the intention of the founders to broaden the score of Deptherapy to all disabled people who might benefit from the programme. We know it already works for the ‘guinea pigs’ in the forces, and with proper support, we are sure that it can be used for thousands of disabled people in civilian life.

At the moment, however, the Deptherapy Foundation is concentrating on military personnel invalided out of service, each of whom gets their own tailored personal programme depending on their disability.

As Fraser Bathgate says: “To see the soldiers help each other take to the water is to see the great human qualities at work – courage in the face of adversity, and the brotherhood of man at its finest.”

To close, here is a quote from Sharon Kegeles, one of the American volunteers who joined Fraser on the last module:

“You know that I often speak about the power that Scuba has to change lives. You may not fully realize what you have just been a part of...but Fraser and I know. We were topside when each and every soldier came out of the water. We saw their faces; we heard their comments, we felt their emotions. Fraser and I were overwhelmed. “

Scuba+Outdoor Pursuits Article

2009-04-18T11:58:00.001+01:00

http://www.scubapursuits.com/news/2009/04/deptherapy-dive-in-for-heroes-learn-to-dive

Equipment Handover in Mayor's Office

2009-04-18T11:20:00.007+01:00

On Friday, April 17, Kelvin Richards and John Knight from Oceanic SW.Ltd came to the office of Mayor David Bell in Solihull, West Midlands, to present the Scuba Diving Equipment for the Deptherapy/Eagle Divers First International Troop Dive in the USA.

Without this very generous donation it would have made the trip a lot harder and more expensive for all involved. Donated equipment included Buoyancy Control Device Regulators, Wet Suits and a Data Mask for Dominic so he can see his gauges without having to worry

about people showing him.

With Matt Croucher GC, Steve Hands and Annette Stockham representing Dominic Lovett there to receive the very generous donation of Equipment from Oceanic.

Also included was a surprise gift of Windstopper fleeces and Polo and T-shirts, all carrying Deptherapy's brand.

We are grateful for the generous offer by Mayor David Bell to use his private rooms for this event and for his attendance and support.

Also there lending support and coming on board with Deptherapy was fundraiser Ray Warren and also offering support was Mark Turner from the Scuba and Outdoor Pursuits group and Alan from Body Shocker.

Various members of the press were on hand taking pics and asking how people can support us - fortunately this happened in the room while we were

talking about it, with the two open water diving courses being purchased on the spot.

Once again a big thank you to Kelvin, John and the whole Oceanic crew who we know have been working very hard on this, and a big thank you to our new friends Ray, Mark and Alan with a very big thank you to Mayor David Bell for his kind words and support.

The next update will be from the USA and then when the guys fly out to meet us, we will be posting daily reports of progress - you'll believe these men can dive!

BIRMINGHAM MAIL STORY HERE - http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories//tm_headline=solihull-hero-arranges-us-rehab-for-fellow-soldiers&method=full&objectid=23412613&siteid=97319-name_page.html

Deptherapy Launch Images

2009-03-19T09:50:00.006Z

At the launch of Deptherapy in London, March 19th

Steve Hand, Fraser Bathgate & Matt Croucher GC along with Dominic Lovett (in powered chair) who will all be on the next trip.

Also in attendance was Kelvin Richards from Oceanic who brought along the new Data mask which Dominic will use while he is with us in Key Largo and Franz from Breitling.

The Launch was attend by representatives of the press and media as well as FORD Uk and Diver Magazine.

The whole event was hosted by Co Founder Martin Hannan.

Soldier Dive, Key Largo Dec 2008

2009-03-17T15:51:00.002Z

Wounded soldiers dive at Molasses Reef with Fraser Bathgate of Deptherapy
&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://video.msn.com/?mkt=en-US&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;playlist=videoByUuids:uuids:48d25cef-d78a-4a70-b00a-e148691320c9&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;showPlaylist=true&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;from=msnvideo" target="_new" title="Soldier Dive Key LargoDec. 08"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Video: Soldier Dive Key LargoDec. 08&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;

Welcome to Deptherapy

2009-03-17T15:34:00.001Z

Hello there, thanks for dropping by...

Deptherapy will shortly become known as the name of the charity which Fraser Bathgate from Edinburgh is co-founding with writer and journalist Martin Hannan to raise money to help disabled war veterans from the Allied forces with their rehabilitation through scuba diving.

Put simply, Deptherapy is a revolutionary approach to rehabilitation devised by Bathgate who is the pioneer of an unusual but highly effective form of treatment – scuba diving.

At present, only American service personnel have been able to take advantage of Bathgate's Deptherapy programme. The intention of the new charity is to make the same programmes available to British veterans and eventually for people with disabilities and injuries everywhere.

Deptherapy, the book and film, is also going to be the extraordinary story of how a group of disabled American war veterans found hope and healing thanks to Bathgate.

The book is also the life story of Fraser Bathgate, who has been in a wheelchair since a climbing accident at the age of 23. Deptherapy will tell how Fraser plumbed the depths of nearsuicidal despair but found a new life after taking up scuba diving by chance.