Scooter Bobby
When I’m not diving I’m a crafter and disabled influencer help other with mobility challenges like myself regain their freedom and confidence. I encourage everyone to get out and do more!
Sabrina Dionne
My hobbies include doing things that make my mom nervous! Like jumping out of a perfectly good airplane 🙂
Nina Bachich
I was an exchange student in Belgium!
Rob Driver
I’ve been skydiving since my motorcycle accident.
Rob Driver
Where you dive most often: Bimini
Certification Level: DB3 and Nitrox
When did you first try scuba diving — and what got you hooked?
Getting certified with a dive at Blue Heron Bridge. It was like the fear just disappeared.
What does being underwater mean to you?
It’s a freeing experience being able to breathe under water as well as the health benefits for SCI.
What stands out to you about the Grateful Divers Worldwide community?
The level of professionalism and knowing that safety is their first priority.
What’s one dive you’ll never forget — and why?
Bimini diving with black tip reef sharks and watching one swim right next to me. It was another dive which helped to overcome my fears.
What’s your dream dive location?
Cayman Islands
What’s something surprising you’ve learned through diving?
My ability to make my tank last for more than 70 minutes.
How has diving impacted your life, mindset, or connections with others?
Every time I’m on the water or in the water is a highlight of my week. I wish I could do it more often.
Night dive or wreck dive? Wreck
Surface interval snack: Granola bar
Underwater nickname: Scuba Steve
Go-to post-dive meal: Conch or fresh fish
Nina Bachich
Hometown: Ocean City, NJ
Certification Level: Open Water
When did you first try scuba diving — and what got you hooked?
I had my first pool dive with Aria and KG in 2022! I’ve always loved the water and was lucky to grow up next to the ocean, but once I became a wheelchair user, the ocean was a source of fear and uncertainty. My family members are scuba divers, and I didn’t think I would ever be able to become certified due to my disability. That changed when I met the Grateful Divers Worldwide team – they changed my life! I was hooked on scuba diving when I experienced my first open water dive with my buddy team. There’s truly nothing like being able to see a completely different world underwater and enjoy the serenity that comes with it!
What does being underwater mean to you?
I always found being below water was so calming and a source of comfort. Scuba diving helped me create a world of peace underwater, where I could be weightless (a wheelchair user’s dream!) and lose myself a little. When underwater, I forget the reality of my disability and am free to explore the ocean without any restraints.
What stands out to you about the Grateful Divers Worldwide community?
The Grateful Divers Worldwide team is not only a group of standout individuals who volunteer their time to make my dreams a reality, they are truly like my family. I trust each team member wholeheartedly and I know I can rely on them with anything – both underwater and above. There is no other group of people who are more dedicated to adaptive diving than them, and I’m blessed to be able to call them my friends!
What’s one dive you’ll never forget — and why?
I’ll never forget my first shark dive with Tally and team in the Bahamas! It was thrilling to see hammerheads, tiger sharks, and bull sharks close up and in reality – I felt like I was in a movie!
What’s your dream dive location?
Indonesia! (Team – let me know when we are going on a trip!)
What’s something surprising you’ve learned through diving?
Buoyancy! I’ll never forget learning the hard way that the tank gets lighter the less oxygen it has and needing to deflate the BCD to maintain buoyancy, especially on the ascent. I know it seems like common sense, but it was definitely a learning opportunity for me!
How has diving impacted your life, mindset, or connections with others?
It made me realize my disability can’t stop me from living my dreams! My disability isn’t a big deal, it just makes the experience more interesting and unique!
Underwater nickname: no nickname, but my team is always the majestic mermaids <3
Sabrina Dionne
Hometown (or where you dive most often): Fort Lauderdale
Certification Level: Advanced Open Water
When did you first try scuba diving — and what got you hooked?
My first time trying scuba diving was during a pool session with Scuba4Good back in 2019. Honestly, I wasn’t hooked right away. It took time for me to understand the concept of letting the equipment breathe for me underwater. For the first couple of months, scuba was a huge challenge both physically and mentally. But once I worked through that fear and trusted the process, it became absolutely incredible. Since then, I haven’t stopped diving, and I’m proud to say I’m now an advanced scuba diver.
What does being underwater mean to you?
Being underwater is the most incredible sensation physically, mentally, and spiritually. Down there, it’s just me and the bubbles. It’s a space where I can mentally focus, reflect, and let go of everything happening on the surface. Scuba diving has helped me manage anxiety, stress, and even chronic pain. Before diving, I suffered from nerve pain and spasms, but since I started diving regularly, all of that has improved dramatically. The weightlessness, the pressure, and the freedom of movement underwater have become a true form of therapy for me a place of healing.
What stands out to you about the Grateful Divers Worldwide community?
The people. Every single volunteer and staff member at GDW goes above and beyond to make you feel welcome and safe. It’s more than just a dive community it’s a real family. They stay connected beyond the water with community activities like going to games, sharing meals, or just hanging out. It’s a group of friends who share the love of diving and life, and that’s what makes it so special to me.
What’s one dive you’ll never forget — and why?
There are so many unforgettable dives, but two stand out the most. The first was my very first ocean dive with my instructor Brad. I was incredibly nervous and didn’t think I could do it, but his patience, kindness, and belief in me helped me push through. Experiencing the reefs of Pompano Beach that day changed everything.
The second was my first shark dive. Brad, who wasn’t a fan of shark diving, didn’t hesitate when I told him it was something I wanted to do. He immediately said, “I’m in,” and became my dive buddy that day. Knowing he stepped out of his comfort zone to support me meant the world. Without him, I don’t think I would’ve gotten in the water and I would’ve missed out on one of the most amazing experiences of my life. That’s what makes this GDW and its people so extraordinary.
What’s your dream dive location?
Without a doubt — the Galápagos Islands, Ecuador.
What’s something surprising you’ve learned through diving?
I’ve learned just how fragile our ocean ecosystem really is. I had no idea how much of an impact something as simple as sunscreen or makeup could have on coral reefs and marine life. Through this community, I’ve become more aware of the everyday products I use from what goes on my skin to how my lifestyle choices affect the ocean. I’ve been inspired to keep learning and making changes, because even one person can make a big difference. That has been one of the most eye-opening parts of my journey.
How has diving impacted your life, mindset, or connections with others?
Scuba diving has completely transformed my life. It’s changed my mindset, brought healing to my body, and introduced me to a community of truly incredible people. I now have friends I can rely on, people who lift me up, and a sense of purpose that I didn’t have before. Whenever I’m having a tough day, all it takes is a phone call, and someone will say, “Let’s go diving.” The moment I hit the water, everything shifts mentally, physically, spiritually. Diving brings me peace, joy, and connection. It’s a passion I hope to carry with me forever.
Reef dive or wreck dive? Reef
Surface interval snack: Watermelon
Dive soundtrack: The Little Mermaid
Underwater nickname: Hot Wheels
Favorite marine animal to spot: Turtles
Scooter Bobby
Hometown (or where you dive most often): Lake Worth
Certification Level: Open Water
When did you first try scuba diving — and what got you hooked?
I tried scuba diving a little over a year ago and what got me hooked was that I was pain free for the amount of time I was underwater and zero ringing in my ears while diving.
What does being underwater mean to you?
I means the world to me. It has been a huge part of helping me with my mental health.
What stands out to you about the Grateful Divers Worldwide community?
GDWW is a blessing what they do helping people like myself get diving.
What’s one dive you’ll never forget — and why?
I’ll never forget my 12th dive because it was my 12th dive and I got to see two different types of moray eels and an extremely large loggerhead turtle.
What’s your dream dive location?
My dream dive location would be the Keys and Bahamas
What’s something surprising you’ve learned through diving?
I like to read about some of the different fish I’ve encountered. One of my favorite fish is the Parrotfish. What surprised me was that they produce white sand and they turn from juvenile into a female and then male, very interesting fish.
How has diving impacted your life, mindset, or connections with others?
Diving completely changed my life. I’ve been a huge fan of Jacques Cousteau as a child and seeing him dive made me want to dive. I never imagined that I would ever get an opportunity to do this but Brad and Grateful Divers Worldwide has made my dreams come true.
Reef dive or wreck dive? Reef Dive
Surface interval snack: Cookies
Dive soundtrack: Sublime Badfish
Underwater nickname: Scuba Bobby
Favorite marine animal to spot: Barracuda