An experience from 2009 which I will share with you ... 

A little while ago, I was contacted by a father who wanted to start a swimming club for children with muscular atrophy. He has a 10 year old son who has this disability. He contacted me because he was interested in the possibility of setting up a try-dive for these children.

I told him about our NBT and he became very interested in this program. We agreed that he should supply me with a small text regarding the purpose of the swimming club, and some information about the type of disability they would cater to in order, for me to try and get sponsorship for their event. He got all excited about it, and we set a date for the try-dive.

As I know it takes time to set up a NBT, we set the date 6 months in the future. After approx.4 months I had to push for the text I had to use for sponsorship. I had already enrolled several DDI instructors whom would give their time, and expertise for free as there wasn't anything they'd rather do than, give these children an experience of a lifetime.

Four weeks prior to the event I received the text. Immediately I send it to various parties and shortly thereafter, the local newspaper signed up for sponsorship. Now everything was in place and there was only waiting for the date to arrive left. Three days prior to the event taking off, I received a call from the father who very Apologetically informed me that he had only been able to sign up two children out of ten. As I didn't want to let these 2 children down, I told him we'd go ahead anyway.

To cut a long story short, we ended up having to cancel the whole thing. What I want to say with this story, is not to give up even though we sometimes get let down

and we sometimes get taken for granted. Sure we were disappointed and p..... off, but we can't take it out on everybody by denying other people the gift of our time and expertise, just because someone didn't appreciate us. As any good princess knows - you have to kiss a lot of frogs before you find a prince. So to all of you out there involved in disabled diving - remember we can make a difference in for a person who’s life is full of limitations.

I can only say "Do not give up, but keep on" join us to make a difference !!!

Flemming Thyge