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Update / ‘Adapting to Dive: A Diveheart Documentary’ premiered May 18, and now is recognized at film festivals

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Above / “Adapting to Dive: A Diveheart Documentary” was filmed in Cozumel, Mexico. (Photo courtesy Diveheart)
 
Update, July 18, 2022 / Jim Elliott, founder and president of Diveheart, sends news with photos that the documentary “Adapting to Dive” continues to inspire people and win awards at film festivals around the world. 
 
David Marsh and Jim Elliott accept honors for “Feature Documentary” at the Orlando International Film Festival.
In fact, Fri., July 15, Elliott attended the 2022 Orlando International Film Festival (OIFF Lions Club) held at the Orange County Convention Center. There he was joined by the Los Angeles film maker David Marsh and Peggy, one of the adaptive divers in the documentary. “Adapting to Dive” was honored with the award for “Feature Documentary.”
 
Gesturing the shaka sign, sometimes known as “hang loose” or “thank you,” expresses friendly intentions. For certain, “Adapting to Dive” is filled with purposeful good will and grace.
“The most moving part of the documentary for me is the testimonials from the Navy veteran, Tracy, who contracted ALS,” said Elliott. “I cry every time I watch it.”
 
For more information about the documentary film or Diveheart, visit www.Diveheart.org.
 
Original Post, May 5, 2022 / Diveheart, a Downers Grove-based nonprofit, and David Marsh, a Los Angeles filmmaker, will present the world premiere of the documentary called “Adapting To Dive” at 6:30PM Wed., May 18, 2022, at Classic Cinemas Tivoli Theatre, 5021 Highland Ave., in Downers Grove. 
 
Since 2001, Diveheart founder and president, Jim Elliott, has been helping youth, veterans, and others with disabilities through adaptive scuba and scuba therapy. 
 
Last year, Marsh went on a Diveheart scuba adventure trip to Cozumel, Mexico, to capture the spirit of the Diveheart mission and vision. And this year, the film’s online promotion encourages audiences to “Experience this filmmaker’s life-changing journey about adaptive scuba, love, loss and discovery.”

A little deeper into the transformational experience…

Filmmaker Marsh experienced a transformational journey while doing the film after losing his son to an overdose just seven days before the trip. 

After doing some pre-trip research, Marsh felt he understood the spirit of the Diveheart mission and vision. He already had completed backstories on many of the adaptive divers who went on the trip when his son passed. He chose to go on the trip and said nothing to anyone until asked about his experience on the very last day. He then shared his loss and that he had been remotely planning his son’s funeral while filming the documentary.

“David Marsh is amazing and awesome,” said Elliott. “Despite his loss and grief, he soldiered on and captured the spirit, love, and hope that emerges from every Diveheart trip. He really captured the essence of our mission and shared the real-life experience of what Diveheart does to help those with disabilities experience freedom underwater.” 

In the documentary, every day embraces a theme. One day it is trust. Another day it is about freedom and then finally adapting. Audiences will see how Marsh emphatically listened and translated the feelings of the adaptive divers who shared with him their losses, struggles, fears, and hopes.

“We are so grateful to David for capturing Diveheart in action,” Elliott said. “I’m hoping this documentary will reach many people and give awareness to Diveheart’s mission: to revolutionize rehabilitation by using zero gravity underwater to help those with everything from mobility issues to chronic pain and post-traumatic stress disorder. We help our participants find that self-confidence, personal strength, and independence, and we will continue to do so in the years to come.”

The Evening Schedule / Wed., May 18, 2022

6:30PM / Red carpet is rolled out and doors open.

7PM / Screening of two shorter pieces that were created earlier by other filmmakers. 

7:30PM / The main event! Adapting to Dive.

8:45PM / Q&A with David Marsh the film maker and the audience.

9:30PM / Mix and mingle with your friends until 10PM.

“It’s a 1,000 seat theatre so we could use all the help we can get in getting the word out,” said Elliott. “We’re encouraging folks to buy tickets before the event.”

To see a trailer about the documentary, click this link. Tickets are $12 for general admission and accessible seating.

For information about the documentary and tickets, visit this link.

Editor’s Note / Back in the early 2000s when Diveheart was just beginning, we were invited to sessions that Jim Elliott held in the swimming pool at the Holiday Inn Select before the hotel on Diehl Road in Naperville became the Marriot Chicago. The story of Diveheart and how its mission has touched lives during the past 22 years is indeed remarkable.

Elliott’s dedication and Diveheart programs provide adaptive scuba diving programs open to any youth, adult, or veteran with a disability.

“Underwater, the weightless wonder of the water column gives wheelchair users and others with disabilities freedom from gravity where their chronic pain has been known to evaporate,” Elliott explains.

Thanks to Elliott, participants develop confidence, independence, and self-esteem, as well as other physical and psychological benefits.

For more information, visit www.Diveheart.org.

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PN Editor
PN Editor
An editor is someone who prepares content for publishing. It entered English, the American Language, via French. Its modern sense for newspapers has been around since about 1800.

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