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Cody Unser First Step news 2010-02-08

CUFSF: PVA Announces Partnership with The Cody Unser First Step There's Something in the Water at the Aquarium of the Pacific! Long Beach, CA. It was a magical day at the Aquarium of The Pacific for Cody Unser and the Operation Deep ...

CUFSF: PVA Announces Partnership with The Cody Unser First Step
There's Something in the Water at the Aquarium of the Pacific!

Long Beach, CA. It was a magical day at the Aquarium of The Pacific for Cody Unser and the Operation Deep Down Dive Team. They were poised in the "Waters of the Pacific" display as Cody spoke to the audience during a demonstration on Adaptive Scuba. After the presentation, Cody and her team were surprised by Al Kovach, Jr., Paralyzed Veterans National Vice President, as he announced that the PVA would be partnering with The Cody Unser First Step Foundation on several events in 2010 to empower veterans with disabilities.

Please join us as we celebrate this new partnership with the PVA! We are both excited and honored.

***

Paralyzed Veterans of America Honorary Member Cody Unser Shows that Scuba Diving Is Accessible for People with Disabilities

Long Beach, CA - Her famous dad, Al Unser, Jr., broke records in the world of motorsports, but now Cody Unser is becoming famous in her own right - breaking down barriers for people with disabilities especially in the area of scuba diving.

Unser, who is paralyzed due to transverse myelitis and is an honorary member of Paralyzed Veterans of America (Paralyzed Veterans), will demonstrate her diving skills this weekend at the Festival of Human Abilities, Saturday January 23, Noon, PST at the Aquarium of the Pacific, Long Beach, California. Through the foundation that bears her name, Unser looks forward to expanding the scuba diving experience to paralyzed veterans through "Operation Deep Down, " the military version of "Cody's Great Scuba Adventure," which pairs experienced and specially trained instructors with divers with disabilities.

Paralyzed Veterans National Vice President, Al Kovach, Jr., a former U.S. Navy SEAL, hadn't been diving since a serious injury brought his military career to an end. That was until he and some other members of Paralyzed Veterans joined Unser for an Operation Deep Down scuba dive introduction last year in Pennsylvania.

"As a SEAL, scuba was an important part of my job. When I was injured, I never thought I would ever be able to experience that great feeling of weightlessness again. Cody helped break that barrier for me, and we look forward to expanding this empowering experience to many more paralyzed veterans." Kovach will join Unser for this weekend's scuba demonstration at the festival - which celebrates the creative spirit of people with disabilities. Paralyzed Veterans and the Cody Unser First Step Foundation will be partnering this year on several events to empower veterans with disabilities.

Presenters at the festival will also include Colours ‘N' Motion, a wheelchair hip hop dance group; Dat Nguyen, a blind guitarist for the band Bayadera; singer Kodi Lee, who is blind and autistic; and Love in Motion, a sign language choir. Singer Deborah Turner will present a tribute to the life of Wheely Willy, a paraplegic dog. Glenn McIntyre, a nationally known keynote speaker, will be the master of ceremonies, and his canine assistant Zander will demonstrate his amazing skills. In addition, Tommy Hollenstein, an artist who has quadriplegia, will demonstrate his painting techniques using the wheels of his wheelchair. All major programming will have sign language interpreters for guests who are deaf, and the Aquarium will provide audio tours for guests who are blind. Extra elevators and assistance dog relief areas will be available.

-source: CUFSF

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