Wheelchair users go scuba diving in Puducherry!

A group of adventure sports enthusiasts got the opportunity to do some some deep sea and scuba diving off the coast of Puducherry. Ten participants all on wheelchairs enrolled and after the initial steps, a few were finally chosen.

All of them were wheelchair users with severe spinal cord or amputation injuries. This was a first-of-its-kind event anywhere in India organised by Adventures Beyond Barriers Foundation, a Pune-based NGO, in partnership with Chandigarh Spinal Rehab. The event was called Dive For Joy and Temple Adventures based in Puducherry were the scuba partners.

Participants include paraplegics, quadriplegics and amputees from across the country. Prior knowledge of diving and swimming was not required and all the participants were guided by fully certified trainers.

There were two instructors to every diver. Some of the participants were entering the water after 15 years, while it was the first time for others.

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