NEWS
FRANGIPANI LANGKAWI RESORT HOST DIVEHEART EVENT IN NORTHERN MALAYSIA
Langkawi is an archipelago made up of 99 islands on the west coast of Northern Malaysia. Surrounded by the Andaman Sea, the main island offers a mixture of picturesque paddy fields, jungle-clad hills, and tranquil waterfalls. The expansive shoreline is fringed by powderfine sand and swaying coconut trees. Langkawi is especially recognised for its excellent diving opportunities. This tropical gem also hides a treasure trove of other exciting holiday opportunities. From duty-free shopping outlets to kid-friendly attractions, Langkawi is an electrifying island that keeps visitors coming back for more. “Disability is not a barrier for me to obtain a PADI Scuba diving license,” said Nahla Ab Rahim, a Person with Disability (PwD) who has suffered from cerebral palsy (CP) since birth. The 33-year-old from Putrajaya obtained a scuba diving license two years ago and is quite excited to go scuba diving as it is the best therapeutic method for her congenital disorder. “As a CP sufferer, I also dive for mental therapy because being underwater feels like entering a new world. However, I still need a dive buddy who is skilled in adaptive techniques when
diving,” she said after being an Adaptive Diver Candidate at the Special Diveheart Adaptive Techniques Training Programme hosted by Frangipani Resort Langkawi. Nahla, the youngest of three siblings said she obtained the extreme sports license to ward off sceptical views of some people who often looked down on the ability of PwDs.
DiveHeart Malaysia’s Ambassador and Founder of Kids Scuba PADI Dive centre, Syed Abdul Rahman said, “The objective of the programme is to help the disabled participate in diving through the appropriate Adaptive Scuba Diving procedures. DiveHeart is a nonprofit organisation based in Chicago, USA and it specifically aids people with disabilities in water therapy with scuba diving activities.”
“Our PADI scuba diving license training is the same as for others, and I managed to prove that as disabled people, we can succeed like normal people if given the opportunity in any field, including extreme sports,” she said.
Our next Diveheart event will be held on the 3-5 of September with UMMC’s rehabilitation medicine team held at Mimpi Resort Perhentian Island Terengganu, in Malaysia.
Nahla said she used to be a government employee for 10 years but quit after being ridiculed by her ex-colleagues. She then decided to continue her studies in early childhood education at the Open University of Malaysia.
CONTACT INFO For more information with regards to the event on 3-5 September, email: HJ. SYED ABD RAHMAN Ambassador Diveheart Malaysia Email: Syed.rahman@diveheart.org
The two-day Special Adaptive Techniques Training Programme organised by DiveHeart Malaysia and PADI was attended by 15 staff members from the Rehabilitation Medicine Department of the University of Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) and four Langkawi Scuba Club coaches.
KIDS SCUBA
• PADI 5 Star Dive Centre • PADI Youth Diver Education Award Dive Centre • PADI Outstanding Contribution to Diving Industry Award Dive Centre
E-mail: kidsscuba@yahoo.com Website: www.kidsscuba.com
JUNE 2022 | DIVERS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT
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