Cayman Islands dive program teaches mobility-challenged teens to stay-focused

For the second consecutive year the Cayman Islands world renowned dive sites are the setting for Stay-Focused, the unique not-for-profit organization that offers mobility-challenged teenagers the opportunity to become certified SCUBA divers.

Selected for its dive sites with easy access, dive facilities with extremely high safety ratings, warm water with excellent visibility and limited current, and first rate medical facilities the Cayman Islands provides the ideal environment for student divers to participate in a full SCUBA certification program, as well as a complement of workshops that relate diving experiences to empowerment, discipline, and focus in achieving personal goals.

This year's first group of divers spent several days in the Cayman Islands in April and with three additional diving programs scheduled for 2005, the program will build on last year's successful launch, when six student-divers received their certification.

Stay-Focused programs are conducted at the Courtyard Marriott in Grand Cayman and the organization partners with Red Sail Sports for all diving operations.

Founded in 2003 by Roger Muller, Stay-Focused is best described as a learning organization. Students are given the opportunity to challenge themselves and learn valuable lessons, while enjoying a positive, achievement-oriented experience. Stay-Focused participants are typically 13-to-17-years-old, wheelchair-bound, and actively involved in water sports and other athletic programs.

Stay-Focused also supports medical research that explores the beneficial aspects of water sports on persons with mobility limitations. Taking its name from a common expression used by professional athletes when talking about what it takes to achieve success in their respective fields, Stay-Focused has become a success in part because of generous corporate support.

The general management consulting firm, Booz Allen Hamilton, where Muller is the former Director of Career Management, is a major supporter. Stay-Focused has also received grants from the Christopher Reeve Paralysis Foundation, and The Jeff Gordon Foundation.

Muller's vision of the organization was clarified in 2000, while scuba diving in Grand Cayman with his brother, Bobby, a paraplegic, Vietnam War veteran, and co-founder of the International Campaign to Ban Landmines, which won the 1997 Nobel Peace Prize. Seeing the joy diving gave his brother, Muller developed the idea to provide mobility-challenged youth the opportunity to experience the same freedom in the water.

"Diving can be very liberating for mobility-challenged persons," he says. "Our concept is to provide students the experience of diving and work with them in building confidence. We believe if you stay focused, you can overcome any challenge."

For more information about Stay-Focused, please visit: www.stay-focused.org, or contact:

Roger Muller
Founder/President
Email: roger@stay-focused.org

Richard Smart
Program Manager/Dive Instructor
Email: richard@stay-focused.org

Located 480 miles south of Miami in the quiet western Caribbean, this trio of tiny islands is a premier destination for discriminating travelers, honeymooners and families.

World renowned for its beaches and diving spots, and ranked as the world's fifth largest financial center, the Cayman Islands offer exciting recreational opportunities along with friendly, high quality, modern service.

To learn more about the Cayman Islands, visit www.caymanislands.ky or www.divecayman.ky or call your local travel agent.

Source: www.sportdiver.com