August 2025 Rotary Magazine highlights D6450 Downers Grove Rotarian, Jim Elliott's 2001 vision to introduce people with limited mobility to scuba diving. Diveheart's mission is to build confidence, independence and self-esteem in the lives of children, adults and veterans with disabilities through scuba diving, scuba therapy and related activities. Diveheart's program participants are inspired to take on challenges that they may not have considered before. Using zero gravity and the adventure paradigm, participants believe that if they can scuba dive they can do anything.
As Founder & President, Jim Elliott explains, Diveheart discovered that the forgiving, weightless wonder of the water column provides the perfect gravity-free environment for those who might otherwise struggle on land. Underwater, we’re all equal. Diveheart works with individuals who have a variety of disabilities, including physical and developmental disabilities, vision and hearing impairments, amputations, traumatic brain injuries, Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and more. Diveheart seeks to help its participants “Imagine the Possibilities” in their lives.
Diveheart’s Newest Initiative: A Deep Pool Project, aims to revolutionize therapeutic possibilities for all abilities, creating the world’s deepest warm water therapy pool. Housed in the Diveheart Education & Research Facility in the Chicago Suburbs, this hub will prioritize inclusivity, serving as a transformative space for those with physical and cognitive challenge to experience adaptive scuba therapy. Learn more: www.diveheart.org/deep-pool-project/
Lincolnshire-based Angaza Center 
