Rosemary Ciotti, MSN, RN, NP, knows firsthand what it’s like to live with a disability.
Several years ago at the age of 37, the avid biker, skier and competitive swimmer suddenly became wheelchair-bound. She was diagnosed with an undefined autoimmune disease that caused her to lose the use of her right leg and lose strength in her right arm and fingers.
“This was a great loss for me given that I was so active in sports,” said Ciotti, a disability healthcare consultant and case manager and disability activist in Arlington, Va.
But then she discovered Diveheart and her life changed again.
Rosemary Ciotti, MSN, RN, a disability healthcare consultant and case manager and disability activist based in Arlington, Va., who herself became a wheelchair a few years ago, goes diving with friend Jeannette Green, who Ciotti inspired to get certified with Diveheart.
Rosemary Ciotti, RN, a disability healthcare consultant, case manager and disability activist in Arlington, Va., dives with Diveheart participant and friend Jeannette Green.
With a goal of building confidence and independence among veterans, children and adults with disabilities through scuba therapy, Diveheart uses an innovative and exciting method to temporarily decrease pain and help patients with disabilities increase their self-esteem. The Downers Grove, Ill., organization is making waves — in the most positive sense — in several states.
Ciotti was inspired to try scuba diving after learning about U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth’s use of the therapy.
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