Brianna's Scuba Diving Process

2009-11-15T18:09:00.001-08:00

Brianna went scuba diving again today in the hospital pool. She did very well. She played games and swam around. She hasn't been in the water in awhile so she was very excited to go play. She even went through a hula hoop under water.

I am posting some videos. Check them out as you have time.

Enjoy!

The following video is of her finding sticks that were thrown in for her

This video is of Brianna and Sandy playing Patty Cake

This Brianna swimming to mommy's hand

Brianna goes through the hula hoop

2009-10-15T10:50:00.000-07:00

Hello All

I have some great news. Some of Brianna's family members have official been certified scuba divers. Her dad, her sister and her brother have all finished with their certification!

Here are the three of them gearing up for their last dive to be certified.

Mommy and Brianna were waiting patiently in the heated tent!

Brianna did get in the water. We are very proud of her. It was very cold but she wanted to go in anyway!

Here is a short video of her under water. It was difficult to take a video so this is the best we have right now-where is Chris when you need him LOL

Here is a brief video of Brinna's sister Christa doing a mask removal skill.

Below are some pictures that were taken throughout the diving weekend.

Check out Sandy's website: http://www.sandyshoresscuba.com/

2009-10-01T09:41:00.000-07:00

Here are some more pictures from the last time we went to The Manasquan Inlet. They were taken by the photographer Jason.

2009-09-21T10:56:00.000-07:00

Yesterday was the first time the Caccese family got to go in the salt water. We have been diving in the pool so this was a very big deal for us. Brianna was very nervous. She gave us all a hard time at first. She did eventually get in somewhat. As soon as she got in there were star fish. This actually got her very excited. I COULD NOT BELIEVE IT!!! She was picking them up and playing with them. She even wanted one as a pet.

She would not go under all the way and swim but this was only her first try so we are very happy with the progress. The rest of the family got to go down 15 feet with Sandy. Joseph had the most fun collecting all the star fish.

Jason (the camera man) showed Brianna a horseshoe crab. SHE LOVED IT. She was picking it up and carrying it around. They let her feel the feet. SHe was not afraid AT ALL!!!! We are so proud of her. Enjoy the pictures.

2009-09-15T05:57:00.000-07:00

Just a little update to Brianna's followers. We are waiting for Chris(the Producer) to put together a small "commercial" of all the footage. He will be trying to "sell" it to Discovery Channel and National Geographic. He is also trying to get us sponsored by Verizon and The Divi Hotel in Bonaire. Wish us luck!! Sandy wants to try to get Brianna in an inlet in Manasquan over the weekend. Stay tuned for another update. Here are some more pictures.

2009-09-04T19:13:00.000-07:00

Today was the biggest break through Brianna has had yet. Read on!!!

Brianna started school and her first day of Safety Patrol. The film crew followed her around school all day to get a glimpse of "Brianna's day". Of course Brianna didn't mind having the extra attention.

She came home frome school and was ready to go. Brianna got right in the pool and took off with her wet suit. She said she couldn't wait to scuba dive!!!

Sandy is getting all Brianna's gear on.

Brianna just went right down and started to "swim" with all her gear on. This was the first BIG STEP!!!

Brianna than decided she didn't want Sandy and ...Watch below!!

WOW BRIANNA! GREAT JOB!! The whole family and crew is proud of you!!!

Brianna also learned to flirt with her cameraman Chris.

Brianna is truly doing a phenomenal job. Stay tuned for more....

2009-09-02T13:28:00.000-07:00

Well it has been a little chilly lately so we have not been in the pool. This weekend will be very busy. Chris is coming down to start filming. Brianna will be very busy with starting school tomorrow and than coming home to work in the pool. She is very excited!! In school she has made safety patrol- Way To Go Brianna!! She is also looking foward to getting back to scuba diving. She wants to play torpedo. Hopefully, we will be able to get some new pictures to post. This picture is from the last time in the pool. She is getting further and further down. Now we need her to squat and to move away from the wall. We will post more after this weekend. LOTS going on here!!

2009-08-21T07:17:00.000-07:00

Brianna is a 11 year old girl with Down Syndrome. She is such a loving and wonderful child. She is learning to Scuba Dive and she would love for you to follow along on her journey.

This was her first time in the pool with any scuba equipment. She is trying on her BCD for the first time. She is not too sure if she likes it yet.

She definitely was not happy here. In this picture is her instructor/cousin Sandy Shaw. She is not letting Brianna give up. It is only the first day so we will keep trying.

NOW This is MUCH better!!!

This is the whole family learning at our home. This was the first day of catching Brianna on film.

This is the first day with her wet suit. She LOVED that she could float!!

This is the 5 of us in our pool. This was a very big step for Brianna.

Watch this video of Brianna and daddy playing Patty Cake!!