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. Larry gives Anna instructions on how to use the mask and snorkel. Billy gets help from volunteer Kim to put on his mask. . A bd bo' , BL Ad . . A BAILEY. diritti arian folds PETRI alssanblath WA FR Er oeindh xk tinis PORT PERRY STAR -- Wednesday, J & Teaching the handicapped iv. RL, AZ? A B Ar sss ae ordain insintwsiniil a 2 une 20, 1979 -- 9 the skills of skin diving . . . A whole new world has been opened up for some of the children at Bloorview Childrens Hospital in Toron- to this past few months as Larry Emmerson, of Port Perry has been jnstructing them the skills of skin diving. What's so great about teaching children skin div- ing? Well according to Lar- ry he gets a great deal of satisfaction out of teaching the course to kids, but even more so at Bloorview where they are handicapped. "The kids have fun and they work hard at trying to succeed. They know they have a handicap so they seem to have more desire and feel a sense of accom- plishment when they attain their goal," he said. Larry first became inter- ested in teaching the course when he met Bloorview pool supervisor, Leslie Watters at the 0.U.C. (Ontario Under- water Council) annual con- vention in Toronto last April. Through a conversation with Hand flippers, designed by Larry Emmerson, are strapped to his wrists and help give him better propulsion in the water. Jan loves the water and is seen here with pool supervisor Leslie Watters. ~ her it was arranged for him to teach a class of students the techniques of skin diving. So, for the past two months Larry has been spending one night a week with the child- ren and according to sources at N.A.U.I. headquarters (National Assoc. of Under- water Instructors) this is the first time to their knowledge that the course has been taught to the handicapped. But not only has Larry volunteered the time and money to get the course underway, he has also de- signed and constructed spe- cial hand and leg flippers for those that can use them. The hand flippers are at- tached to the forearm and have a hinged paddle on them that flips back and give little resistance in the water when they are swimming. The leg flippers have been adapted from regular foot flippers and will be held on her by means of a belt and fasteners. According to Miss Watt- ers, she had been wanting to teach the children more about swimming, and by unexpectedly meeting Larry at the convention it has given the children a chance to expand their knowledge. "They are very excited a- bout the course and I have heard there are many more that would like to take it," she said. Because there has been so much interest in the course by both children, and staff, Larry has been able to arrange for the purchase of masks, snorkels, boyance compensators and hand flip- pers through the courtesy of the Allstate Foundation. The value of the equipment will be approximately $700. This week is the final lesson of this first skin diving course at the hospital and the students will shortly be a- warded their certificates of qualification for skin diving from NAUIL. The standards for this course as set by NAUI have been exceeded by most of the students, but even those who do not qualify will get a certificate of part- icipation for their efforts. It's the summer off for Larry, but he says he will be teaching another course this fall. ST LOMOITION/S ~KATIOA} (7) Anna, Chris and Danny listen as Larry gives a classroom lecture prior to going into the pool. Photos, story by J. Peter Hvidsten Larry shows Anna the flippers he has designed for her to use in the water. They will be attached by a belt with velcrose fasteners. BEE Tate Ad th 12 7 pal