I first met Marine Corps Veteran and Naperville Police Officer Steve Woodham through the Aurora Veterans Center in the spring of 2017. Diveheart was conducting regular Scuba Experience Programs for Veterans and others at the Vaughn Center pool in Aurora.
Steve had 22-plus years in the Marines with combined active duty and reserve service, including deployments for Desert Storm and three deployments for OIF / OEF. Steve also spent 24 years as a Naperville police officer. The combination of these two professions resulted in both physical injuries, while he dealt with various forms of post-traumatic stress disorder.
After several pool sessions, we scuba certified Steve through our Diveheart Military Wounded program that serves veterans and active military of all abilities and their families. Over time, Steve revealed that participating with Diveheart has helped him deal with his physical and emotional challenges in an environment that was safe, supportive and fun.
However, Diveheart wasn’t his only support system. In 2019 Steve teamed up with a new friend, his service dog, Molly. Steve took Molly everywhere and said that she replaced his body armor, acting as a barrier between him and rest of the world.
Unfortunately, life threw Steve a curve when Molly came down with cancer. After months of treatment and prayers, Molly lost the battle with cancer and Steve lost his best friend.
Over the years, Steve has become a Diveheart board member and has seen Diveheart benefit others with and without disabilities. He also loves the fact that one of the tenants of Diveheart is “Challenge by Choice,” which Steve says allows him to help his fellow Veterans on a variety of levels.
As a kid, I grew up around Veterans with disabilities dodging wheelchairs at Hines Veterans Hospital. My father was an Army Veteran with a disability, so I was very comfortable around people with disabilities from a very young age.
When I started Diveheart in 2001, I knew that I was going to serve not only children and adults, but also Veterans with disabilities. After incorporating Diveheart as a nonprofit, I quickly established our Diveheart Military Wounded program to serve Veterans with disabilities and their families. We also teach and certify others in the military to work with their brothers and sisters with disabilities.
Diveheart pool programs are free and individuals who are interested can find out more at www.diveheart.org.
