RECAP: 10th Annual Human Abilities Festival | @AquariumPacific #HumanAbilities

We checked out the 10th Annual Celebration of Human Abilities last month at the Aquarium of the Pacific and were simply amazed. Here are some things that we saw:

Lots of Resources

There were many more but these were the ones that I checked out:

An Interpreter at Every Exhibit

Diveheart demonstrates an adaptive SCUBA diver showing
that people of all abilities can enjoy the sport.

You can see a short video clip here.

Diving Programs for the Disabled

Diveheart Foundation

Diveheart provides scuba diving opportunities for children, adults and veterans with disabilities.
630-964-1983 www.Diveheart.org

Adaptive Pinball Machines

by U Can Do, Inc.

They designed these therapeutic pinball machines "wheel chair" accessible.
Can be customed to fit any phycially challenged's needs.
800-U-CAN-DO-2 www.ucandocentral.com

Service Dogs

Canine Companions for Independence (CCI)

They have four types of assistance dogs: Service, Skilled Companions, Hearing, and Facility.

800-572-BARK (2275) www.cci.org

Amazing Performances

If you want to feel inspired by what someone with a disability can do, watch one of the performances. Here's a short video footage of one of Team Hotwheelz member, Ali Stroker, singing Titanium at the Festival. (Ali Stroker was a finalist on The Glee Project and was on Glee's Valentine's Day episode. You can see more of Team Hotwheelz dancing here).

Other performers were:
Chelsie Hill and Mia Schaikewitz, who are featured on the hit reality-documentary series Push Girls on Sundance Channel, Love in Motion, a sign language choir; Dat Nguyen, a world music guitarist who is blind; Kodi Lee, a singer who is blind and has autism; ARC Handbell Choir; and other inspiring performing artists.

Aquarium of the Pacific

100 Aquarium Way

Long Beach, CA 90802

(562) 590-3100

www.aquariumofpacific.org

Amazing Sea Creatures

You can't go to an aquarium and not check out the animals. I was especially excited this time around because I finally learned how to take beautiful pictures with Instagram. You can see more in my photo gallery here.