Patriots for Disabled Divers (PFDD) is a charity for - and inspired by - disabled veterans. We are a group of divers dedicated to bringing the joy and therapeutic benefits of scuba to people with disabilities. Patriots for Disabled Divers became an official non-profit in 2013, but our roots go back to 2009. Jeff Currer, a retired US Navy Captain, and his wife Merial opened Patriot Scuba in Occoquan, VA and were inspired by the achievements of customers with physical challenges. The Currers wanted to give back to the military community, provide assistance for veterans and share the healing experience of scuba. That’s when Patriots for Disabled Divers was born. Over the last few years, PfDD expanded our reach across the United States, establishing affiliate dive shops in Georgia, Illinois, Florida, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Pennsylvania, and Washington state. More than 600 wounded military veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, amputations and other injuries have benefitted from PfDD’s scuba program. Since 2013, we’ve trained more than 600 wounded military veterans suffering from PTSD, TBI, amputations and other injuries. We aim to pay 100% of the training costs and help a spouse, partner, or relative learn to dive as well. In this way, all our divers have built-in dive buddies. But we rely on donations from people like you to make this happen. There are a lot of military charities out there, and we salute all those who serve and those who are committed to supporting our military men and women on the homefront. What makes us different? We give disabled divers access to a physical activity that brings them joy, freedom from pain, and something they can enjoy with friends and family. Last but certainly not least, we surround disabled divers with a support system of dive buddies. As US Senator John Walsh of Montana (the first Iraq vet to serve in the Senate) said, “Far too often, we’re leaving our veterans to fight their toughest battles alone.”