The SCUBA Gym’s Underwater Therapy Sessions Empower Individuals

Diving into Hope

Fred “Freddy” Rahming carefully approaches the edge of the Olympic-grade pool at the National Training Center in Clermont. For Freddy, a 51-year-old Eustis resident, this pool has become a sanctuary — a place where hope floats just beneath the surface.

Five years ago, a horrific near-fatal motorcycle accident left Freddy with severe injuries, including fractures to his pelvis, femur, and ankle, a broken hand and a crushed leg. These injuries not only diminished his mobility, but also his spirit. After seven months in a rehab facility, Freddy struggled to continue his recovery when his insurance stopped covering therapy. He faced years of physical decline until he found a lifeline at The SCUBA Gym, an underwater therapy program unlike any other in Florida.

“One year ago, I hit rock bottom,” Freddy recalls. “I saw a post on Facebook from my old friend David about The SCUBA Gym, but I was skeptical. I finally decided to give it a try after David urged me to, again and again. I think it just took me reaching that bottom and saying, ‘What else you got to lose?’”

David Lawrence, founder of The SCUBA Gym, knows all too well the battles of recovery. Growing up in Eustis, David faced his own series of physical and emotional challenges. He lost both parents at a young age and nearly lost his own life in a motocross accident at 12, which led to years of rehabilitation.

“Those early experiences shaped me,” David says. “I didn’t understand it at the time, but they prepared me to guide my son, David Jr., through his journey and, eventually, many others.”

Looking back, David and his wife Kimberly’s worlds were shaken in 2007 when their 11-year-old son was diagnosed with a brain tumor. The surgery that saved David Jr.’s life, however, left him paralyzed from the neck down. Determined to find a way to help his son regain mobility, David turned to an old hobby of his – SCUBA diving – and discovered its therapeutic potential.

Little did they know how big of an impact it would have on so many levels.

“I believe lots of people go through hard times and although there is good that comes out of it, they often don’t see it in their lifetime. I feel blessed that my son David can see that what he went through led to other people walking again, feeling better, living better lives. And my husband and I are blessed to be a part of this,” Kimberly says.

David says it’s hard to think back and see how one week, they had a happy, healthy son, and the next week, found out he had a brain tumor with a high probability of not making it through surgery. 

Today, David Jr., now 28, is living proof of the program’s success. Though still paralyzed on his left side, he can walk independently. He is also nearing graduation from the University of Central Florida with degrees in chemistry and advanced mathematics and has become a therapy coach at The SCUBA Gym. Lovingly known as “SCUBA, Jr.,” he is grateful for his progress and enjoys helping others achieve similar breakthroughs.

“I spent two months with him in the hospital, night and day, and three years of physical and occupational therapies, several other therapies including SCUBA therapy and, of course, lots of prayers later, David Jr. now walks, runs and does everything he sets his mind to,” David Sr. says. 

The SCUBA Gym offers an innovative form of therapy that uses the weightlessness of water to assist those with various types of disabilities, injuries and special needs improve mobility issues in ways that traditional therapies cannot. Participants are set-up with complete SCUBA gear to make breathing underwater possible, as they complete customized workout sessions with coaches guiding them every step of the way.

This unique approach attracts participants eager for an alternative to conventional physical therapy from all over Florida to Clermont, where the program, operating as a nonprofit organization, rents pool space at the National Training Center. The SCUBA Gym, having partnered with and trained others to run the program, also operates in Australia and Oklahoma City and soon, will be offered in Atlanta and Ocala.

Hosanna Boothman’s story, shared by her mother, Nancy, highlights the profound potential of SCUBA therapy. At just 12 years old, Hosanna, now 21, suffered a massive stroke, leading to a below-the-knee amputation and significant neurological impairment. After moving to Silver Springs, Hosanna and her family discovered The SCUBA Gym through a news story. Intrigued by the connection to hyperbaric therapy, which had previously helped Hosanna regain some speech abilities, they decided to try SCUBA therapy.

The team at The SCUBA Gym treated Hosanna with exceptional care and patience, which made her feel at home from her first session. Despite initial challenges, Hosanna showed remarkable progress underwater, where the reduced pressure allowed her to walk with more stability. The family is optimistic about Hosanna’s future. They believe that the unique combination of physical and psychological benefits from SCUBA therapy will significantly aid her recovery.

“There’s something about the underwater environment that seemed to supercharge Hosanna’s progress,” Nancy says, adding that Hosanna is very excited about her participation in the program.

 “After just one session, we saw improvements in her balance and strength that we hadn’t seen in years of traditional therapy.”

Stephen Gates’ experience further demonstrates the wide-reaching benefits of The SCUBA Gym. After suffering a blood clot stroke in January 2022, Stephen faced the daunting task of regaining mobility and function on his left side. Despite intensive therapy, progress was slow until his son-in-law, who volunteered at The SCUBA Gym, introduced him to the program. 

After starting SCUBA therapy in October 2023, Stephen has seen notable improvements.

The sense of community and the encouragement from both the staff and fellow participants at The SCUBA Gym fostered a positive and motivating atmosphere. His mental and emotional health also improved as he regained hope and a sense of purpose through the structured and challenging exercises.

“My stamina has gradually gotten a lot better. I feel like I’m getting my fingers unwrapped and my spasticity is under control,” Stephen says. “From what I’ve experienced and from all the people I’ve talked to, it really works wonders in a considerably quick amount of time and it’s nice because you have a lot of support.” 

David’s dedication to helping others is evident in every aspect of The SCUBA Gym. Individualized sessions provide one-on-one support that ensures that each participant gets the most out of their time in the water. Volunteer therapy coaches play a crucial role by bringing their own stories and experiences to inspire and assist those in the program every step of the way.

“Our volunteers are incredible,” David says. “Many have been with us for years, and they bring a personal touch that makes all the difference. It’s not just about the physical therapy—it’s about creating a supportive community.”

For David, The SCUBA Gym is more than a therapeutic program; it’s a mission rooted in faith and resilience. He believes his life’s trials were not in vain, but rather stepping stones leading him to a higher purpose.

“Looking back, I see God’s hand in everything. The pain and challenges I faced were preparing me to help my son and, in turn, help others,” David reflects. “It’s an incredible blessing to wake up every day and do this work.”

Freddy says he also feels blessed to be able to get up every day—twice a week at The SCUBA Gym—and do the work. His first session was extremely challenging and he required significant assistance, but the experience sparked hope. 

Over the next year, Freddy’s commitment to the program paid off. He progressed from being wheelchair-bound to walking with a cane. He’s lost 130 pounds and his mobility, strength and mental health have improved dramatically. Freddy is grateful for David’s relentless persistence about trying SCUBA therapy because it’s helped him reclaim his independence.

“It’s not just about walking again — it’s about living again,” Freddy says with a smile.

During a recent session, as Freddy prepares to enter the pool, he pauses to reflect on his recovery journey. What were once insurmountable challenges have now transformed into hope.

“Since getting back on my feet, I can’t even think of a down moment. I take on challenges and accept what it is, for what it is,” Freddy says. “I feel like there’s purpose in that I’m still here.”

“After my accident, I would just sit around moping. As big as I am, I would just cry, cry, cry and say, ‘Why did this happen to me?’ When you go from being independent to dependent, it’s like ‘whoa,’ but this has really given me hope, determination and the will to keep going and I’m really excited about my future.”

For more information about sessions or if interested in donating funds to The SCUBA Gym for gear, equipment and programming, please visit…

thescubagym.com or call 407.920.3262.

Photos by: Nicole Hamel & Provided