Matt Johnston's story

By Matt Johnston

With my dream full filled, I want to help others.

My name is Matt Johnston. I was diagnosed when I was seven years old with Duchene Muscular Dystrophy. I have been wheel chair bound since I was eight years old and about fourteen years ago I became vent dependent. Today, I am thirty-one years old and was told by many medical professionals throughout the years that I would not live past twenty years old. I have proved them all wrong. I have had to jump many hurdles throughout my life and learned to never give up. I have travelled to many places, have met some incredible people, and have had an experience of a lifetime.

Ever since I was a young boy I have always had a passion for the ocean. I researched the ocean through books, television, and the computer. I have always dreamed of one day diving to see this wonderful underwater world. I pursued this dream after losing a dear friend of mine. It made me realize life is short and I need to see the underwater world where God really shows off his work. Diving is not just about all the trips I have taken and the adventures I have been on but about all the friendships I have made both above and below the water.

After three years of planning, preparing, and believing, I did my first dive in the ocean in November 2006. Many people were present including my family, friends, and the Today Show. It was absolutely awesome. I could not have accomplished my goals without the support of my family, friends, and sponsors. I am now considered a diving guru. I was certified in March of 2006, SDI 'Scubility', Open water diver #1. In addition, I am certified on dry suit and full face masks. Since that first dive I have done many other dives, in pools and lakes as well. In April 2008, I am so proud to announce that my colleague and I presented the first diving manual for ventilator dependent and quadriplegic divers. Then, in August 2008, The History of Diving Museum located in the Florida Keys opened an exhibit to recognize all of my contributions to diving. My diving legacy will live on through this exhibit.

Currently, Diving a Dream and myself are collaborating with the Diveheart Foundation to help others follow their dreams of diving. Whether you have issues or challenges you face in life day to day, and want to take the first step to dive but do not have the ground work to do it, I want to support you on your path. My wish is to help others with disabilities and/or soldiers to have a better quality of life.My goal is to start a group to help assist in the five state area, just as Diveheart has accomplished around the country and around the world. The reason to start this organization is because I want to help others just as others have helped me. Diving opened the world for me and hopeful could do the same for you.

As my hero once said, "So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable" By Christopher Reeve. If you have dreams go for it even if someone tells you otherwise. Being persistent and never giving up will pay off. Hence, let's make your dreams inevitable.