IDVA Helps the Disabled Learn to Scuba Dive by Awarding $75,000 Grant to Diveheart Foundation

A $75,000 grant has been awarded to the Diveheart Foundation in New Jersey by the Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs (IDVA) in a bid to help disabled veterans enjoy thrilling activities despite their incapacitating condition.

The grant will help fund scuba diving holidays and water activities for disabled people so they can overcome debilitating barriers as they become weightless.

The Illinois Department of Veterans' Affairs has awarded almost $10 million to help local not-for-profit organisations offer supportive programmes to veterans. The department also runs the Veterans Assistance Fund which is made up of sales from the Illinois Lottery's Veterans Cash scratch-off game tickets.

Image by Islanders on Flickr.

During scuba diving holidays, disabled veterans will be able to learn how to explore the underwater world with the help of professional diving experts and instructors from the Diveheart Foundation.

Diveheart's founder/president, Jim Elliot, said: "The Veterans Cash grant has been a blessing for Diveheart.

"The funding helps my team deliver life-changing physical and psychological therapeutic experiences as well as recreation to Illinois' disabled veteran community."

Elliott, set up the organisation when after teaching his blind daughter to downhill ski, he saw the benefits of her increased confidence.

Also a certified scuba diver, Elliot soon realised how powerful and therapeuticscuba diving adventurescan be to disabled people and he has devoted his time to Diveheart since 2001, taking the charity to scuba diving destinations such as the Caribbean, Australia, and Mexico.

Now in its tenth year of operations, the organisation provides scuba diving opportunities for children, adults and veterans with disabilities.

Image by Islanders on Flickr.

"Win or lose, people who play the Illinois Lottery's Veterans Cash scratch-off game are helping our state's veterans," explained Erica Borggren, the Director of IDVA. "Diveheart is among a host of Illinois-based non-profits that are committed to serving those who have served. Diveheart's unique program truly makes a difference for veterans suffering from paralysis, traumatic brain injury and amputations."

The Veterans Cash Grant Committee of the IDVA reviews the applications and then awards grants to organisations that help veterans overcome problems with health, homelessness, health insurance, disability benefits, long-term care and assistance and PTSD. Over the past six years, the department has granted nearly $10 million across 160 worthy charities and organisations.