For today's Dive Video of the Day, I thought we'd do something inspirational and educational. Here's a 4-minute clip showing 29-year old Matthew Johnston -- who suffers from muscular dystrophy and is capable only of moving his thumbs -- preparing for a pool dive. Matthew recently became the first ventilator-dependent person to dive in open water, and I thought the process he has to follow to prepare for a dive was worth looking into more deeply.

If you're interested in learning more about Matthew, be certain to check out this clip from the Today Show, in which Ann Curry interviews him and discusses his recent open water triumph. Whether or not you're an Ann-fan is irrelevant; the piece is truly excellent.

[Thanks, Matthew!]

Over the past year or so, we've been following the progress of Matthew Johnston, a 29-year old man from Woodbury, Minnesota. Suffering from muscular dystrophy and capable only of moving his thumbs, Johnston has been dreaming of diving in open water since he was 6 years old. To achieve that goal, this June he earned Card Number 1 through SDI's Scubility program, a course designed for disabled divers.

Finally, on November 14, Johnston achieved his goal and became the first ventilator dependent quadriplegic in the world to go scuba diving in open water. While diving in a shallow reef off Tavernier Key, Johnston made two dives: one dive to 4 feet for 15 minutes, and a second dive to 4 feet for 10 minutes where he was able to observe the coral reef.

Two days before his historic dive, I met Johnston at the DEMA show outside Ocean REEF's booth, which provided full face masks and communications equipment for Johnston and his dive team. He didn't seem nervous at all -- just excited. If you're interested in learning more about Johnston's story, check out Diving A Dream, the website dedicated to his diving efforts. Oddly, there isn't much there explaining his accomplishment from last month -- or our encounter?! -- but it's an excellent overview of his journey.

Of course, not everything on display at the DEMA Show was tangible, purchase-able dive gear. Some of the booths featured dive-related organizations that were more service-oriented as opposed to profit-motivated. For example, Diveheart was present. The purpose of Diveheart is to provide and support educational scuba diving and snorkeling experience programs for physically impaired children or adults. Inspiring confidence and independence helps these people face life's challenges and overcome barriers that might otherwise seem insurmountable. After all, what greater fear is there to overcome than the fear of not breathing?!

Organizing events, and facilitating dive trainings and trips (lots of trips), Diveheart works hard to help disabled divers -- like Matthew Johnston, who was there at DEMA -- achieve their dreams. Divehearts' booth may not have been the biggest or most crowded on the show floor, but it was certainly filled with the most passion. If you're interested, Diveheart has plenty of ways for you to get involved.

Previously, we've discussed Matthew Johnston, a quadriplegic suffering from muscular dystrophy. Capable only of moving his thumbs, 29-year-old Johnston has been dreaming of diving since he was only 6. Over the past few months, Jere Thorne -- a diver known for his "cutting-edge" technology and who was supporting Johnston in his quest to dive in the Keys this November -- died this weekend in Louise Pit, a mine near Crosby, Minnesota. Evidently, the high-tech equipment he had been developing and testing for Johnston -- which combined a rebreather and a ventilator -- failed. Considering Thorne is "irreplaceable" for use of the technology, it appears the system will be set aside, and Johnston will have to use more conventional dive gear for his upcoming trip.

According to Johnston, Thorne had been learning how to teach handicapped people to dive, making him "a hero to me in many ways." Johnston plans to move forward with his quest, in spite of this sad setback. Let's give Thorne a posthumous Hero of the Week award. And a hearty Good Luck to Johnston!

In January, we told you about Matthew Johnston, a quadriplegic suffering from muscular dystrophy. Capable only of moving his thumbs, 29-year-old Johnston has been dreaming of diving since he was 6 years old. He's too old for the Make-A-Wish Foundation, so Johnston launched Matthew Johnston: Diving a Dream to help pay for the design of an underwater-capable ventilator. Until one becomes available, Johnston must rely on his current ventilator, which is kept above water in a closed plastic container. Meanwhile, friends have donated a custom-made dry suit, and John Chatterton has helped with fund-raising efforts.

This weekend, Johnston officially completed his open water course -- and obtained card Number 1 through SDI's Scubility program, a course designed for disabled divers -- after diving in a Wisconsin lake. However, Johnston decided that wasn't quite the dream he had in mind. Rather, he wants to dive in the Caribbean. His next stop, he claims, is Key Largo, where he hopes his father will not call the dive after only 15 minutes. C'mon, Dad, give Matthew a break! He's Number 1!

[Via Dive Inspirations]

How long does it take you to prepare your gear and suit up completely for a dive? Maybe, if I’m wearing a wetsuit, it’ll take me 15 minutes. And I can do it all by myself. Man, I’m lucky.  

When 28-year-old Matthew Johnston goes diving, it requires three people – his nurse and two volunteer divers – to prepare him. Not to mention all the time they spend doing it. That’s because Johnston suffers from muscular dystrophy, which allows him to move only his thumbs. (Obviously, his team of divers either holds him in the water, or else he better hope they get his buoyancy just right.) Johnston -- who's been dreaming of diving since he was 6 years old -- hopes to make a lake dive in Wisconsin soon, and shortly thereafter, he wants to dive in the Bahamas. (Join the club, Matthew…)  

So how does a quadriplegic dive? He has a custom-built wetsuit that connects to his tracheotomy and keeps it dry. A small, battery-powered ventilator connects to the suit. If you’re interested in learning more about his dream of making his Bahamas-dive (or in making a donation to help make his dream come true -- hint, hint), visit Johnston’s website. And be sure to read his lump-inducing message, which’ll certainly serve as a reminder of how lucky we ALL are…even on the days we DON’T get to go diving. Good luck, Matthew.