Diveheart dives with disabled divers at Perhentian

The non-profit organisation, Diveheart chose Malaysia as the host country for its Diveheart Adaptive programme in the Asian region.

The programme took place at Mimpi Perhentian Resort, Pulau Perhentian Kecil, Terengganu.

Diveheart is a volunteer-run organisation which helps children, veterans and the disabled through scuba opportunities and scuba therapy.

The programme was a collaborative effort between Diveheart, University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC), and Tourism Malaysia.

Participants were guided throughout the zero-gravity scuba diving and completed the session with kindred spirits.

The UMMC Rehabilitation Medicine Team assisted the disabled divers above and underwater.

Joining the programme were the Diveheart leaders, Jim Elliott (President), Syed Abd Rahman (Diveheart Malaysia Ambassador), and Ernest C. Teo (Diveheart Borneo Lead).

Other attendees included Datuk Musa Yusof, Deputy Director General (Promotion) of Tourism Malaysia, Prof Dr Nazirah Hasnan, Director of UMMC, Dr Chris Jones from Gold Coast, Australia, and Max Missbichler from Austria.

“My sincere appreciation goes to the Diveheart team, especially Jim Elliot and Syed Abd Rahman, for this unforgettable experience for our non-verbal autistic son.

“By using the Full Face Mask (FFM), Arash got to scuba dive and thoroughly enjoyed the underwater world,” said Rozie Majid, mother to one of the participants, 17-year-old Mohamad Arash Anique.

Suhaili Yusof, a double amputee PADI-certified scuba diver, also expressed her gratitude for the opportunity.

“I am truly thankful to Syed and the Diveheart team for this opportunity to witness the unmatched beauty of Perhentian Island, its crystal clear waters and colourful marine life. It is indeed one of my most beautiful and meaningful experiences,” said Suhaili.

Diveheart continues to dedicate itself to empowering individuals and building their self-esteem through scuba diving.

They also work with individuals with various disabilities, including physical and developmental disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and more.

Diveheart seeks to help its participants “Imagine the Possibilities” in their lives.

Mimpi Perhentian Resort is a proud partner working closely with Diveheart on their annual trips this time.