The Cody Unser First Step Foundation’s (CUFSF) adaptive scuba team Operation Deep Down hosted the Handicapped Scuba Association (HSA) training event at Lebanon Valley College Sports center in partnership with Mary Gardner, LVC Head Coach for Men’s and Women’s Swim Team and Aquatic Center Coordinator. HSA Course Director, Stewart Snyder, and Ray Ruffini of the HSA Training Center of New Jersey, and Gil Yeager and Darrin Plumlee from AquaTech Scuba, Maple Shade, NJ attended the event a long with the Operation Deep Down Team of Michele and Bill Monsan, Casey Harthorn and Jim Hay.

After the training, Operation Deep Down provided an opportunity to Pennsylvania PVA’s and disabled community members to “Discover Scuba” at Derry Township Pool on Tuesday, 2-June. Nine veterans and several notable community members left their wheel chairs pool side to experience adaptive scuba for the first time. Adaptive scuba is Cody Unser’s favorite rehabilitative therapy, which is why she encouraged her medical team from Johns Hopkins to give it a try. Dr Adam Kaplin and Dr Doug Kerr experienced first hand the benefits of adaptive scuba and now appreciate how it benefits Cody and others with disabilities. The PA Premier of Cody’s film was hosted by Mario and DeeAnn Andretti at the Hershey Theatre. Attendees, like Ted Anspach, were moved by the documentary and grateful for Cody’s courage to share the challenges she is faced with.

The nation is coming together and joining Cody on her quest for awareness, quality of life, and the ability to find a cure for paralysis. We hope that you will join us in our mission and attend the Premiers in your area of “Cody: The First Step”. Cody's message is, "Our Foundation is committed to finding and addressing the cause, rehabilitation, prevention and cure for Transverse Myelitis." We rely on partners like you to achieve these goals. The foundation is also embarking on programs that will improve the lives of disabled and communities perception of disabled people. "I just recently filmed a PBS special and hope you all will take the journey of my daily life with me through that program. We will keep you updated on when you can see this exciting film!"

Until next time, please consider a contribution of $20 per month. Your investment will help The Cody Unser First Step Foundation continue to provide programs, research and education on a national level.

Sincerely,

The Cody Unser First Step Foundation

A special thanks to DANA FELTHAUSER/The Patriot-News for her picture contributions.