Tag Archives: nonprofit

Filmmaker Turns Loss into Award-Winning Documentary

This post is intended as a happy follow-up to FSM’s first look into this documentary. We had a feeling some awards would be forthcoming!

(NewsUSA) – The award-winning documentary, Adapting to Dive, follows filmmaker David Marsh on a transformational journey. Marsh lost his son to an opioid overdose on Thanksgiving, one week before he joined the non-profit group, Diveheart, on an adaptive scuba diving trip to Cozumel, Mexico.     

The moving and inspirational film premiered on May 18, 2022, in Diveheart’s hometown of Downers Grove, Illinois, and it has earned laurels from the Orlando International Film Festival and the Cine Paris film festival, and has been named an official selection for the Marina Del Ray film festival and the 2022 Impact DOCS awards.     

Marsh did not share his son’s death with the Diveheart group until the filming was completed, and only after being asked by his new Diveheart friends for his overall impressions of the trip.

Marsh explains in the film, “After going through this entire process of creating a film, releasing it to the world, and seeing the response, what I’ve learned is that we are all adapting to something in life. Diveheart and the adaptive divers showed me that we have to learn to go through these challenging things,” he says.     

“It is important to remain positive no matter what happens, because it doesn’t matter what happens, it only matters what you do with what happens that makes the difference in your life,” he emphasizes. “Share your story, because we are all moved by hearing another person’s perspective. Each one of us is a unique, individual reflection of creation itself, so honor and appreciate your uniqueness. Give grace to others with patience, because, like you, they are also having to adapt to something in life,” he adds.

“When David and his brother Scott were not filming and interviewing participants, they were always busy helping others. We had no idea what David was dealing with mentally and emotionally after the sudden loss of his son,” says Diveheart founder and president Jim Elliott.     

“The story that David has articulated through this film is nothing short of amazing,” says Tinamarie Hernandez, Diveheart’s executive director. “Throughout the film you see the transformation that David experienced — a transformation that no one realized was unfolding each day,” she adds.     

Adapting to Dive is especially powerful in light of the ongoing opioid crisis that affects so many families, and the film’s inspiring messages of empathy, hope and healing. Viewers will experience the genuine themes of trust, adapting, challenge, loss and love.     

Founded in 2001, Diveheart serves youth, veterans and others with physical and cognitive disabilities, and trains instructors and divers of all abilities in adaptive scuba. Adapting to Dive can be found on Amazon and other streaming services and select film festivals around the world.     

Visit diveheart.org for more details.

Rail-Trails Are Hidden Gems, And Good for You Too!

Explore Your Local Trails, Enjoy Long-Term Health Benefits

(NewsUSA) – Stress — it’s everywhere. But there is an easy form of stress reduction that is as simple as opening your front door.

Spending time outside can help improve your physical and mental health, and you don’t have to be an extreme athlete to reap the benefits.

Studies show that simply going out for a walk in nature can help build strength and endurance, and contribute to feelings of relaxation and resilience. Being active outside has proven benefits for people’s minds and bodies.

Rail-trails in particular are ideal for individuals of all abilities and fitness levels to safely enjoy the outdoors. Rail-trails are multipurpose public paths created from former railroad corridor. That means they are flat or gently sloping, have a hard surface that makes them accessible to all types of activities and are available in rural and urban areas.

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting communities across America with trails. One way they do this is through promoting the value of time spent outside — by encouraging people to make “trail moments” a regular part of their lives and sharing these experiences to inspire others to discover the convenience and joy of being active outside on trails.

“I feel really lucky to have grown up in Virginia, and now I live in Washington state, with lots of access to these trails, but there are literally thousands of miles of rail-trails all over the country,” says Miranda Webster, (@mirandagoesoutside) a longtime outdoor-enthusiast.

“So, whether you are mountain biking, hiking, walking your dog, or riding your bike, I hope that you’re able to find a trail near you where you can enjoy it as much as I have through my entire life,” she says.

Travel blogger Jeff Jenkins (@chubbydiaries_), based in Texas, has taken his wanderlust to local trails in a series of blogs and videos for the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.

“Now, I’m showing people how to discover their own backyards, from their local cities to national parks, trails and the great outdoors,” says Mr. Jenkins, who has also created an online community for plus-sized travelers at chubbydiaries.com.

“So often people see trails as a way to get a little outdoor recreation, and yes, that’s true,” says Ian Mackay (@ians_ride), who regularly enjoys the trails in rural Washington state from his power wheelchair. “But it is so much more for me… having a safe trail space where I can go explore my own interests, interact with the community, and run my own errands is monumental to my happiness,” adds Mr. Mackay, who is also the founder of Ian’s Ride, a nonprofit organization.

This fall, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is taking inspiration from the thousands of stories that people have shared about the personal impact of time spent outside on trails and encouraging people of all ages and abilities to make a habit of it. Their #TrailMoments 21-Day Challenge offers fun activities to encourage people to get out on the trail every day.

Visit the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy website for more information and tips on making outdoor time part of your daily routine. www.railstotrails.org/trailmoments and @railstotrails #TrailMoments on social media.