Matt Johnston Diving a Dream

This is written by Matt on one of his websites. 

Matt's Current Powerful Intention(s):

To be scuba diving.

Matt's Life Purpose: Working against the odds to fulfill a dream and to live life everyday to its fullest. To help people never give up quest.

Matt's Values: Honesty, caring for other, sharing with others, Fun, Friends, Family.

Matt's Story: Here are more details about me. A few years back I lost my best friend in a fatal accident. I realized that life is too short and to enjoy life while you can. I am going to enjoy every day like it is my last day. I don't know when my time is coming, but this is a big dream and I would do anything to make the dream happen before I die, that is to go scuba diving. I am looking for any kind of help a person can offer. I am really close to making my dream come true along with the medical persons and scuba divers that are helping me.

After over a year of working on my dream, some big things are happening now! Some of you may have read about me in some the dive magazines and also newspapers. I also have been on Scuba Radio. On July 14, 2005, along with help from my friends, sponsors, and family, I have extended my underwater experiences to almost half a minute. I was also on UPN news with Chris Conagla on July 28th. On August 5th I was under water 45 seconds one time out six and I was vertical. I loved every second of it. Next time I well be face down and go for a longer time. Here is the link to my video page. I have four videos posted. Just keep your eyes open because there well be more. Scuba Diving Dream This page is still in the works. If you go there and it does not work, it may mean that I am adding more to it. I've also received packages from some elementary schools from around the country where young students have been sending me hand drawn pictures and letters of encouragement. It was very cool and thoughtful. It's really touching. I also received letters of encouragement from Richard Branson, president of Virgin Corporation, and Tiger Woods.

A little bit about myself. I am a 28 years old from Woodbury Minnesota and I have been diligently pursuing my dream of one day to going SCUBA diving. I have wanted to do since I was around 6 years old. Daily I fight the battle with Muscular Dystrophy just to survive, hoping one day to experience a world that many take for granted. It's more of a challenge for me since I have to use a ventilator that is a Newport HT50 and on it 24 7. When we are done with my project a whole new underwater life support system will be created. This will benefit all of the diving community. I have always loved everything to do with uderwater life and scuba diving. My favorite creature in the water is the shark. I feel we need to do more to protect them. The reason I am doing so well is I have a loving family and great home care nurses. I also have wonderful friends, specially my dive buddy's. All of them keep me going.

As far as movement on my own, I am only able to move my thumbs and hands (I control my wheelchair this way through fiber optics). I have slight movement in my legs and arms. I also have scoliosis, and yet none of this well hold me back! When I am in the water I am able to move my limbs easier, since I am weightless in the water. I am using my DUI dry suit, it is awsome in the pool and it works great.

I plan to use an HT50 ventilator from Newport NMI for my dives. However, I have to purchase one or have one donated for this purpose. The HT50 is smaller, more compact and weighs 12#. It has been used in hyperbaric chambers down to 2.1 atmospheres, which is 33 feet. I would be happy to go just 2-10 feet under for 12 to 20 minutes. If I could go deeper for longer, that would be great. I do realize that the pressure underwater is different.

If you are interested in my project, my web sites are listed here. Scuba Diving Dream and here is my project web site Diving a Dream I look forward to hearing back from you all.

As the bumper sticker on the back of my wheelchair says... "SCUBA diving is life, everything else is just a surface interval!" I guess you could say I am addicted to diving! My passion is scuba diving.

Safe diving Matt.

Matt's Vision:

With the help of others, exploring new technology for under water use for all divers.

My passion is to help save the sharks.


"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become inevitable."

... Christopher Reeve ...