Provo Nonprofit Empowers Paralyzed Boise Resident to Dive into Adventure

Nathan Ogden, a Boise resident who became paralyzed after a skiing accident, has achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming a certified scuba diver. With the support of Just Breathe Adaptive, a nonprofit based in Provo, Ogden has turned his passion for adventure into a reality, inspiring others with disabilities to pursue their dreams.

Key Takeaways

Nathan Ogden, paralyzed from the waist down, became a certified scuba diver.
Just Breathe Adaptive, a nonprofit, provided the necessary training and support.
Ogden aims to inspire others with disabilities to embrace new adventures.

Overcoming Adversity

Nathan Ogden’s journey began with a tragic ski accident in his 20s that left him with a broken neck and limited mobility. After a second accident during a hospital visit, he faced permanent paralysis from the waist down. Despite these challenges, Ogden refused to let his circumstances define him.

"After the first break, when I started to get some feeling back, I just knew I was going to walk again," Ogden shared. "The second break… I knew I wouldn’t. But I also knew this was not going to make me not live my life."

A New Passion for Scuba Diving

In 2022, Ogden discovered a love for scuba diving during a BYU-sponsored trip to the Bahamas. With the help of a diving buddy, he experienced a sense of freedom underwater that he had longed for. Recognizing that many people with disabilities miss out on such experiences, he decided to pursue scuba diving certification.

However, he faced a significant hurdle: there were no adaptive scuba diving certification programs in Idaho. Fortunately, he found Just Breathe Adaptive, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping individuals with disabilities engage in recreational activities.

Just Breathe Adaptive

Founded two years ago, Just Breathe Adaptive specializes in training adaptive scuba diving buddies and providing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in various activities. When Ogden reached out, they were eager to assist him in achieving his certification.

"Nathan is courageous. He’s brave. He’s generous, he’s adventurous… he’s willing to try anything," said Robin Knight, founder of Just Breathe Adaptive. "The hardest part is to convince somebody who has maybe spent their whole life in a wheelchair that this is an option for them. It’s actually very recreational, very safe."

Certification Day at Homestead Crater

On a recent Friday, Ogden completed his certification at the Homestead Crater in Midway, Utah. Beneath a stunning 55-foot-tall limestone rock, he trained in the warm 93-degree water, working alongside his buddies to fulfill the requirements for certification. His wife and daughter were also present, pursuing their own scuba diving certifications, making it a family affair.

"Yeah, he’s crazy adventurous. Our whole family is that way," said Heather Ogden, Nathan’s wife. "I’m the one that worries about his limitations. I’m the most stressed out of the entire family. But I love being able to see him do these things."

Inspiring Others

Nathan Ogden’s journey is not just about personal achievement; he hopes to inspire others with disabilities to explore new horizons. He encourages anyone with a "different ability" to consider scuba diving as a viable and enjoyable activity.

"I want to let everyone with a ‘different ability’ know that they can do this. It’s about the memories, the memories you create," he emphasized. "They’re the only things we can take with us."